The Pixar Story In Theaters

One of the things I really love so much about Pixar is their sense of history. They love the work they’ve done as much as we do, and they revel in keeping track of just how it all happened.
Beginning this week we’re all going to get a chance to peek inside Pixar and see how it all happened. An independently made documentary called The Pixar Story is hitting 14 cities around the country, and if you’re any kind of Pixar or animation fan it sounds like something you don’t want to miss. But I’ll shut up, here’s how they describe it:
The Pixar Story takes audiences behind the scenes of the groundbreaking company that pioneered a new generation of animation and forever changed the face of filmmaking. Using never-before-seen footage from the Pixar library, along with historic archival animation and first hand accounts by animators, studio executives, directors, producers and voice performers, Academy Award® nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks tells the riveting story of the Bay Area start-up that revolutionized Hollywood.
In the mid 1980s, an inspired and inspiring trio of innovators combined their gifts in art, science and business to launch a new way to make 3-D animated films and changed the face of filmmaking forever. Ed Catmull, John Lasseter and Steve Jobs overcame years of creative struggle and financial loss to launch an entirely new animation industry. Starting with the first full length CG film Toy Story, Pixar has entertained millions of people worldwide, and established an unprecedented and as yet unparalleled record of box-office success. Iwerks takes viewers on a dramatic journey filled with personal sacrifice and fueled by passionate belief in the possibilities of a new medium as Pixar Animation Studios is born.

Jessica Biel Does Noir

Well now we know what movie Jessica Biel passed up JLA’s Wonder Woman role for. HR says she’s set to star in a United Artists crime thriller called Die A Little.

The title makes it sound like a James Bond movie, but it’s actually about a schoolteacher and her LAPD detective brother. It’s based on a nourish novel in which the brother falls hard for a beautiful woman with a dark secret. His sister sets out to uncover her ugly side and protect him from his new love’s past. The book, like any good noir, is set in the 50s; but Jessica Biel’s version is being updated to much more boring modern times. Film noir feels so wrong with cell phones.

So Jessica Biel is playing a film noir schoolteacher. No director yet, but the book is being adapted into a script by Marcia and Geoffrey Blake, whose idea this whole thing was in the first place. I love a good noir, but I think I’d rather have seen Jessica wielding a golden lasso.

Tom Cruise And Keri Russell Trek Rumors

Star Trek may not be done star effing. That is if you count Eric Bana, Simon Pegg, and John Cho as stars. When measured against past Trek alums like Linda Park or Connor Trinier, I think you have to. Whatever your feelings on the current cast, tonight’s bits of Trek rumor are about undeniably celeb-worthy names.
First up is Tom Cruise, who’s name has long been bandied about in connection with JJ Abrams’ Star Trek prequel, probably because of their Mission: Impossible III connection. The last Trek rumor Cruise was attached to had him potentially doing a cameo in the film as Christopher Pike, captain of the Enterprise before James T. Kirk took over and also known as that guy who ended up confined to a box with a blinking light.
Well, the folks over at Empire caught up with Cruise promoting his new movie Lions for Lambs and got him to deny everything. Tom says, “What? No, I'm not in that. Nope. It's just rumour.” Apparently he was doing some sort of British accent, since when spoken in American “rumor” is not spelled with a “u”.
Now that we’ve put those Tom Cruise rumours to rest, time to raise some new rumors. Our friends over at TrekMovie have plucked a quote from Waitress star Keri Russell out of TV Guide in which she makes it pretty clear that someone over at Paramount is trying to get her beamed on board the Enterprise. Of course all the major bridge positions have been filled, but she may end up doing some sort of extended cameo. Kirk needs someone to sleep with after all. I wonder how Felicity would look painted green? She says, “We were trying to work something out already, but I don’t think that is going to work out…but something may work out.
TrekMovie speculates that she could up for something more substantial, Abrams has said before that the movie would contain several “strong” female roles. They suggest the part of Number One, the original first officer of the Enterprise who was played by Majel Barret in the show’s unaired pilot “The Cage”. Or, there’s always Majel Barrett’s other classic Trek character, Spock obsessed Nurse Chapel. Or maybe she’s Jim Kirk’s long lost love from Star Trek II, Carol Marcus. That would make sense if this is the awful Starfleet Academy flick some fear. Personally I’m still rooting for her to end up as an Orion slave girl. There’s something sexy about green.

Steve Buscemi Saves The Slaughtered

Just the other day I was wondering about Steve Buscemi. It felt like there was a year or two you couldn’t see any picture without the actor’s involvement in some capacity, but recently he’s been less visible. He’s still a working actor, however, and he’s signed on board John Rabe, a Schindler’s List type story about the Nanjing massacre of the late 1930s.

Now, don’t expect to see Buscemi crying over the value of a ring and how many more people he could have saved with it. As brilliant as the actor is, he won’t be playing the German businessman whose story the picture features. Instead, Buscemi will play an American according to Variety - Dr. Robert Wilson, a doctor who remained in Nanjing during the occupation to care for the hurt and dying.

Daniel Bruehl also joins the international cast which stars German actor Ulrich Tukur (The Lives of Others) in the title role, a Nazi party member who was able to protect more than 200,000 Chinese citizens from the Japanese slaughter which took the lives of almost twice as many as Rabe saved.

I poke fun at the movies similarities to Steven Spielberg’s opus, but it is only in jest. The truth is heroes like Oscar Schindler and John Rabe deserve to have their stories told, regardless of how similar or different they may be. I’m excited to see Buscemi’s name attached to a project like this. Cult fans have known how powerful an actor Buscemi can be for years, but only by being involved in pictures like this will the actor have a chance at the acclaim he deserves.

The Hulk's Doctor Is In

It seems like Marvel Entertainment is making up for the terrible first Hulk movie by filling the second attempt, The Incredible Hulk, with as much Gamma-radiation as possible. Making up for the Hulk-dogs, we already knew the movie would feature the green wonder’s enemies, Abomination (Tim Roth) and Leader (Tim Blake Nelson). Now it appears another radiated character is putting in an appearance.

Local Southern Oregon paper The Mail Tribune recently ran a story on native Ty Burrell, who is currently co-starring in Fox’s probably-doomed comedy Back to You. In the show Burrell plays the zany field reporter who gets into all sorts of weird stories (and is one of the highlights of the show). The article reveals that Burrell took time off to put in an appearance in The Incredible Hulk as Doc Samson.

Samson is another gamma-radiated character from the Marvel Universe – a psychologist who studied the mental connection and differences of Bruce Banner/The Hulk. Eventually the good doctor exposed himself to gamma radiation, but with reasonable control over his effects. Sometimes the character has followed his namesake and his power has been linked to his hair length, although honestly I’ve never read about it (not that I’m a die hard Hulk reader by any means).

I’m guessing Marvel is adding in some comfortable cameos for some of these characters, giving them parts that can be built upon if this movie does better than the first one and actually earns a sequel. I’m sorry, did I say first one? Remember: this isn’t a sequel, no matter where the storyline picks up (but I think that shows how little The Incredible Hulk has to accomplish to earn a sequel).

Love Guru's First Look Snaps Mike Myers and Jessica Alba

Imagine Mike Myers in long brown hair with curly mustache and long beard, and that's what you get in the very first picture from his upcoming vehicle "The Love Guru."

Brought by USA Today, the photo, as seen on the left, also captures Myers' beautiful co-star Jessica Alba in, who flashed her white teeth while looking lovely in yellow dress. In the comedy, the latter is portraying the owner of a hockey team and the love interest of Myers' Pitka.

Alongside the image, USA Today also posted its interview with Myers regarding the flick, which the funnyman wrote as well.

"It's been fascinating combining comedy with a nice life-affirming message," so the actor promoted.

In related news, Myers and Alba, however, were reported to experience hard struggle in mastering a Bollywood dance for a sequence in the flick so that they ended up changing the moves into Flamenco steps instead.

"Every shot cuts the feet out of the screen so no one can compare her missteps to the backup dancers," a source said of Alba to Nydailynews.com while commenting Myers as "a terrible dancer" who "had so much trouble getting the moves down."

Jessica Biel Highlighting New Crime Flick Die a Little

Opted to ditch Wonder Woman role in "Justice League of America", Jessica Biel turned out to go for a more humane part in her next move. According to Variety, the actress is now poised to topline a crime thriller titled "Die a Little" which United Artists is developing.

Pic is an adaptation of Megan Abbott's novel of the same name that explores how the lives of a schoolteacher and her LAPD detective brother are turned upside down by a mysterious woman. Unlike the original material, however, it will be set in the present day instead of the 1954 Los Angeles set depicted in the book.

Apart from starring, Biel will also perform producing duties alongside her partner at Iron Ocean Michelle Purple and Richard Gladstein of FilmColony. No director attached yet so far, but Marcia and Geoffrey Blake, who originally pitched the book-based project, have been confirmed to pen the screenplay.

Nominees Picked Up for the 2007 British Independent Film Awards

Once again celebrating the achievement in independently funded British movies, organizers of the British Independent Film Awards have smoothly rolled down the list of eligible titles and names to vie for the honors in the event's tenth anniversary.

Leading the pack is biographical feature "Control" as it remarkably took ten nods in total, most notably that of Best British Independent Film. To win the prize, pic, however, faces tough competition from the likes of "And When Did You Last See Your Father?", "Notes on a Scandal", "Hallam Foe", and "Eastern Promises."

In acting categories, the Anton Corbijn-directed delightfully manages to score nominations in all three slots, two of them, Best Performance by an Actor in a British Independent Film and Most Promising Newcomer, being for Sam Riley. The other, Best Performance by a Supporting Actor or Actress in a British Independent Film, is a double one as both Samantha Morton and Toby Kebbell make their way to secure a spot each.

While Riley is pitted against bigger names like Viggo Mortensen and Cillian Murphy for the best actor title, Morton and Kebbell are placed alongside Colin Firth and Cate Blanchett, whose "Scandal" co-star Judi Dench gets nominated in the best actress honor. Joining the latter are Anne Hathaway of "Becoming Jane" and Sophia Myles of "Foe", among others.

For full lineup of the contenders, please check it out at the awards' official site at Bifa.org.uk. Announcement of the winners will be made at a ceremony held at the Roundhouse in London on November 28, 2007, during which the organizers will present The Richard Harris Award and The Variety Award to Ray Winstone and Daniel Craig, respectively.

Two More I Am Legend Coming

What a huge treat moviegoers are given this time. Not only they can catch an international trailer for Warner Bros. Pictures' upcoming "I Am Legend", but also a second domestic trailer for the action horror as well by now.

The international version, previously leaked at Worstpreviews.com, is posted on HD format at Media.kino-govno.com while the domestic one is available on the flick Iamlegend.warnerbros.com/myspace. Both open with the Brooklyn Bridge evacuation scene, these two can also be accessed via I Am Legend Trailer section at AceShowbiz.

As for the content, the international piece presents a video introduction by lead character Robert Neville, played by Will Smith, who discusses the fall of mankind through mutations and cannibalistic hunger. There are also some footage showing him working hard to cure those infected as he chases with time.

An Update on Dark Knight IMAX Preview

Seems the recent scoop saying "The Dark Knight" will have its prologue shown during the IMAX screenings of "I Am Legend" is legit. Only that the preview will run about five minutes rather than seven minutes as said before, German website Kino.de has revealed.

In its article translated by Batmovienews.com, Kino.de further informed that the footage would tell us how the Joker becomes the most-dreaded gangster in Gotham. Director Christopher Nolan was noted to remark that it is more like "The Rise of the Joker" than "Joker Begins" as he did not tell how the supervillain turns to be what he is.

Shifting to another topic, the site surprisingly reported that Batman's mask this time has white lenses on the eyes when he turns on the Bat-sonar detection. In addition, it also brought up a bit tidbit saying the Caped Crusader's journey to Hong Kong is to conduct some kind of "gangster hunting."

Meanwhile, Batmovienews.com has learned from SpolierTV that shooting on the highly-anticipated movie apparently is still being carried out in the Battersea Power Station. A couple of dark blue SWAT vans with 'City of Gotham Police Dept' written on the sides were reported to get parked on the site on Sunday, October 21, 2007 while a dark blue helicopter was flying low near the power station. More cars and a long white tent even were spotted on the day after, suggesting filming was continued at the same lot during the day.

Meet Maxim Magazine's Five Unsexiest Women Alive

It surely is bizarre, and sad of course. While the other females are competing to be included on the list of such poll, as the most beautiful and sexiest among others, the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Amy Winehouse, and Madonna have been chosen the World's Unsexiest Women.

The poll, which is conducted by men's magazine Maxim, has named Parker as the No. 1 Unsexiest Woman Alive, claiming her as the "least sexy woman in a group of very unsexy women" that ironically starred in a show with the word "sex" in the title.

Junkie singer Winehouse, who's ranked 2nd on the poll, has been considered worth the predicate because of her "hemorrhaging translucent skin, rat's nest mane and lashes that look more like surgically attached bats."

Next on the poll is Sandra Oh. The "Grey's Anatomy" star is voted the 3rd Unsexiest Woman Alive due to her "cold bedside manner and boyish figure". Top pop singer Madonna, surprisingly, lands her feet at the 4th spot of the poll, blamed her "self-righteous bellyaching and rapid postnuptial deterioration" for that.

It's no surprise at all to find Britney Spears' name on the 5th spot of the poll. She worth the crown anyway. Having two children, two ex-husbands, a slight weight gain, and most of all "losing the ability to perform" helped Brit to be the 5th Unsexiest Woman Alive, though she deserves the 1st anyway.

Incarcerated Rapper T.I. on the Cover of Complex Magazine's November Issue

Imprisoned rapper T.I. graced the cover of Complex magazine for its November 2007 issue, inside of which he discusses such matters, as nowadays hip hop, Ludacris's manager Chaka Zulu with whom he had an altercation, and on how the street has changed.

Being asked on how can he say he doesn't fit in nowadays rap, T.I. explained "When I saw Tupac talking that "Thug Life" shit, getting locked up for shooting police, and getting shot and living, that's when I was like, Damn, them niggas is really about that shit. Now you're just let down. This ain't this guy that he was on this record. And nobody seems to have a problem with it. It's a lot of fake shit in it. I like to consider myself an intelligent person, and this shit is not something of intelligence anymore. It's getting real young and stupid, and that ain't me."

On the second matter, Luda's manager that he smacked back in June, the rap star revealed to have "seen him, but I didn't speak to him. That situation was whatever. If you come out your face and say something, then you can expect me to go off. You should watch your mouth. I think my manager spoke to him. I got a great life and wonderful children, and I do intend to be here to guide them for the rest of their lives, and that's what's most important to me. Maybe when I was 18 or 19 runnin' the streets and shootin' pistols, but I'm not gonna blow that for one of these cats who don't happen to live by the same principles as me."

And when it comes to question on "a character in American Gangster you would parallel to your days in the trap," T.I. said "I can't even compare myself back in that day simply because it was a whole other day and age. When I was doin' it, it was chaos. Real talk, it was easier then, too. Not taking nothing away from them 'cause they started it, but the police wasn't hip to everything. By the time I started hustling, the police had cameras, the Internet, and forensics. [Back then] you could kill a nigga at six o'clock in the morning on his doorstep and long as nobody seen you, you good. Now you got cameras on street lights. I feel like if I was a hustler back then, I'd have a way better shot at it. People actually respected the game. Whereas when I was a hustler, a nigga would do anything for a dollar. Period."

Funnyman Steve Martin Writes His Own Children's Book

The writing trend goes stronger. Has already written several books, Steve Martin is now invading the child's world, writing his own children's book.

The actor and comedian has teamed up with cartoonist Roz Chast on the book, titled "The Alphabet From A To Y With Bonus Letter Z!" thus making him the next celebrity that becomes author of children's book.

"I'm not sure why I did this. I don't know why an alphabet book popped into my head," Martin says of the book. "My idea was to write these rhyming couplets with the craziest images I could possibly think up, and then have Roz illustrate them."

"The Alphabet From A To Y With Bonus Letter Z!" which features illustrations by Chast, will as well feature amusing couplets for each letter of the alphabet written by Martin. The book, being released through one of the largest book publishing companies in the world Doubleday, is available for public purchase later this month with no exact date mentioned somehow.

Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal Have Finally Gone Public

Why many of our beloved celebrities do that? They first deny certain rumors only to, at the end of the day, confirm that the rumors are true. Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon are one fine example. Despite their repeatedly denial, the pair has finally gone public with their much-talked romance.

And there are, according to Us Weekly, photos to prove it. The site is reporting that new photos have surfaced of Witherspoon and Gyllenhaal, dressed in matching black T-shirts and jeans, strolling hand-in-hand and kissing at Los Angeles International Airport Monday October 22nd.

"On October 19, Witherspoon, 31, was spotted resting her head on Gyllenhaal's shoulder while walking through the streets as they enjoyed some downtime," Us Weekly went on writing.

Meanwhile, Witherspoon and Gyllenhaal have been busy promoting their latest film "Rendition."

As of their being spotted kissing, Justjared.buzznet.com claimed the picture will be in the upcoming issue of People magazine.

Gretchen Mol and Husband Tod Williams Are Parents of a Son

Gretchen Mol has become a mother.

The actress, who's known for her role as Jo in "Rounders" (1998), and her film director husband Tod Williams are parents of a son, her representative confirmed to People.

The boy, named Ptolemy John Williams, was born on September 10th. No other details being made pubic though.

Mol and Williams have been married since June 1, 2004.

On screen, Mol has recently starred in the drama action "3:10 to Yuma," being in the same scene with actor Russell Crowe while has also starred in the comedy "The Ten."

As of her next big screen project, she could next be seen starring in the drama "Trainwreck: My Life as an Idiot" and "Boy of Pigs."

Leonardo DiCaprio and Bar Refaeli Ended on Great Terms

Just day after report on Bar Refaeli was spotted together with surfing world champion Kelly Slater made its way on the many gossip sites, now comes a confirmation that the supermodel and her actor boyfriend Leonardo DiCaprio have split up.

A source close to the couple confirmed the persistent speculation on their break up, telling People that their "relationship ran its course." The source furthermore clarifying, "It's bad enough having a cross-country relationship, but it's obviously a lot more difficult trying to maintain a relationship across oceans, and across continents, when both of them are very busy. They ended on great terms. He's a great guy, and she's very sweet. These things happen. They had fun."

Neither Refaeli nor DiCaprio officially confirmed the break up rumors though.

Nevertheless, Refaeli fueled break up rumors with her being spotted out and about at a club in an entertainment area at the port of Tel Aviv with Slater. The hunk even briefly detained by police in Israel after a scuffle with photographers who attempted to take photos of him with the supermodel.

Refaeli and DiCaprio first fueled dating speculation after they were spotted out on Paris' Champs Elysees holding hands in April last year. Rumors on their break up have been mounting since early this year.

Mother to Unveil Notorious B.I.G. Wax Figure on October 25, 2007

Has been immortalized on songs and movies, the late Notorious B.I.G. is now immortalized in a wax sculpture which will be unveiled at Madame Tussauds New York this week.

The unveiling of the sculpture will take place at 11a.m. Thursday October 25th at the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Manhattan. The slain rap icon's mother, Voletta Wallace, will be the one in hand to unveil the star's life like figure.

Biggie's wax figure is said to sport a white three-piece suit, white hat and white shoes and is standing with one hand in its pocket and the other hand resting on a gold and wood cane. Fans will be able to take photos and hug B.I.G.'s figure, which will be featured in its own room on the nine floor of Madame Tussauds.

The figure also features multicolored light beams that trigger clips of B.I.G.'s songs as fans approach. And to commemorate the occasion, 23 high school students from Brooklyn, where Biggie was born and raised, will sing the B.I.G. tribute track, "I'll Be Missing You," as well as "I'll Fly Away." The students are all members of the Brooklyn High School of the Arts' choir.

Notorious B.I.G. was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California on March 9, 1997. His murder still remains unsolved

Jermaine Dupri Blamed Justin Timberlake for Janet Jackson's Superbowl Wardrobe Malfunction

It appears that war of words will soon begin between Jermaine Dupri and Justin Timberlake. The music producer and sometime solo artist has taken a shot at the pop singer in his new autobiography, entitled "Young, Rich and Dangerous," for not supporting Janet Jackson after her "wardrobe malfunction" during the 2004 Superbowl.

Goes off to blast JT for his lack of star power, Dupri writes "I think Justin Timberlake is a talented performer. But he's very ordinary-looking. He could be any skinny white kid from the suburbs of Orlando. You could go to the mall and find another Justin. He doesn't make his style interesting, even when he's on-stage. To me, he just doesn't look like a star."

Dupri's 309-page book, "Young, Rich and Dangerous: My Life in Music," is said to chronicle the music mogul's journey in the music industry and the establishment of his record label, So So Def Recordings. It is slated to hit stores this month via Atria Books and will retail for $24.95.

Dupri and girlfriend Janet have been living together and are reported to be engaged.

Joel Madden and Nicole Richie Planning to Spend Three Months Every Year in Australia

Has been the media darling in the US, Joel Madden loves Australia anyway. The singer reportedly has been looking for an apartment on the Gold Coast so he and fiancee Nicole Richie could spend three months every year on the country.

Admits to have loved the lifestyle in the nation, the Good Charlotte frontmant told The Gold Coast Bulletin that he wanted to split his time between the US and Australia.

"People keep saying to us 'how come you spend so much time down there?' and I just say that it's the best place in the world," Madden was quoted as saying, adding that "I'm going to have a look around tomorrow for a place, a nice condo. It's only one flight man. The lifestyle here is insane."

Madden's band Good Charlotte performed at the Gold Coast Indy on Saturday October 20th and Richie was there to support her man. No words just yet on when the in-love couple will hold their wedding.

Nicole Kidman Doesn't Ever Say She's Happy with Husband Keith Urban

Nicole Kidman goes brunette for Interview. The Aussie actress goes brunette for the cover of the magazine's November 2007 issue, which sees her poses alongside lookalike sister, actress Jennifer Jason Leigh.

In the interview session, Kidman reveals her feeling about her marriage to country singer Keith Urban, saying she never tells interviewers that she's happy, even when it comes to her marriage, because she never knows what tomorrow will bring.

Being asked if she and Urban are happy together, she replied "I don't ever say that. Partly because interviews are done in advance and you never know where something's going. People's lives together are complicated and beautiful and that's what they should stay. They're very quiet. Complicatedly quiet. They don't need to be broadcast."

However, Kidman went on clarifying, "My husband and I are committed to each other and deeply in love. That's how I would put it. We're working on staying in that place, and hopefully we will for the rest of our lives."

Being interviewed in the magazine by novelist Michael Cunningham, Kidman also told the magazine about such matters, as her years as a schoolgirl and what she thinks of Leigh.

Meanwhile, talk is heating up that Kidman has been told to pile on the pounds for her new movie "The Reader" because of which she has already put on 10lbs and is planning to double her weight gain in the coming weeks.

Divorce Is Just Around the Corner for Pink and Hubby Carey Hart

The old-time rumors on Pink's marriage on rocks is all over the net again. According to the New York Daily News the singer and her motocross racer husband Carey Hart are heading for divorce.

Pink is reported to have initially agreed to an open marriage, but is now having second thoughts. Allegedly agreed that Carey could "play away from home" while she is on tour, the star has changed her mind as she wants to start a family now that her biological clock has started ticking.

The newspaper quoted its mole as saying, "Divorce is just around the corner."

It appears that rumors on Carey has cheated on Pink have been proven true despite the fact that he denied the accusation. "Carey has this one blond in particular that he takes everywhere, even public appearances. But Pink knew what she was getting into!" the New York Daily News quoted a source as saying.

Reports that Pink's marriage is in trouble have been circulating for some time. However, Pink's representative rubbished the reports, calling them "complete bullshit." No comment given by Pink nor Carey concerning the latest report.