|
Michael Moore to Release New Film Online for Free | WENN
5th September 2008 |
| |
Moviemaker Michael Moore has decided to post his new political documentary online so fans can download it for free. Slacker Uprising, which chronicles Moore's attempts to fire up the youth of America to vote during the 2004 election, will be available as a free download for three weeks beginning Sept. 23. Moore says, 'I thought it'd be a nice way to celebrate my 20th year of doing this, and also help get out the vote for November. I've been thinking about what I want to do to help with the election this year.' Moore's move will mark the first time a major movie has been released in such a way. The director's last film, Sicko, was leaked online and downloaded illegally in large numbers. |
|
Kirsten Dunst Banned Writer From Set | Brigid Brown
5th September 2008 |
|
 Kirsten Dunst has been acting since she was a child--she's constantly criticized for her fashion choices and even the men she's dated--but she draws the like when it comes to her skills in front of the camera. Dunst banned a writer from the set of her new movie after he allegedly criticized her acting ability, according to WENN.British novelist Toby Young wrote the book on which the actress's new film is based, How to Lose Friends & Alienate People, and visited the set on several occasions. And on his second visit, Young made comments regarding Dunst's performance to a producer and it led to the actress asking movie bosses to bar him from the studio. Young is frank and to the point saying, 'She overheard me giving the producer a ‘note’ on her performance in a particular scene. At the time, I didn't think of it as a criticism, more as a helpful bit of advice, and the producer took it in that spirit.' He explains, 'But Kirsten overheard this exchange and interpreted it as a complaint about her acting ability. It was after this, apparently, that she took Bob (Weide, the director) to one side and asked if I could be kept at arm’s length in future.' Young didn't realize the problem at first going on to say, 'Bob carried out this edict with a good deal of tact. I didn't realize it, but this was, in effect, Bob carrying out Kirsten’s instructions,' reports WENN.The British are so polite--the writer is banned from the making of the film adapation of his own book--and he takes it in such stride. Wonder what he says behind closed doors. |
|
Jessica Biel Denies Pregnancy Rumors | WENN
4th September 2008 |
| |
Actress Jessica Biel has once again been forced to deny reports that she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Justin Timberlake. The 26-year-old star has been at the center of pregnancy rumors since reportedly moving into Timberlake's Hollywood Hills home in June. But Biel has dismissed the resurging allegations, with her representative telling Us Weekly magazine: 'The reports are false.' Timberlake has been romancing the Hollywood actress since early last year, when she joined him at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. |
|
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed | Chris Pendleton
3rd September 2008 |
|
Just when you thought you’d heard the last of Star Wars for another year, following the recent release of Star Wars: The Clone Wars in cinemas across the UK, up pops another Star Wars title. This time for video gaming consoles. Friday 19th September sees the release of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation 2, Nintendo DS and PSP.
If you were disappointed with The Clone Wars and you’re thinking that you’re fed up of Star Wars, you might want to think again. This time we have a Star Wars video game which directly ties in with the original films. The Force Unleashed is not just some lame tie-in like we’ve seen previously.
The Force Unleashed storyline fits in between Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith and Episode 4: A New Hope. Primarily you take on the role of “Starkiller” secret apprentice of Darth Vader using your strong force powers to wipe out the last of the jedi and leave no witnesses to your evil deeds. Expect familiar characters and plot twists galore. Just when you think it’s going in one direction, the story will change. - You even get to play as the Dark Lord himself.
If you loved the Star Wars films you might just want to check out the new Star Wars: The Force Unleashed just to see how the story fits in! |
|
Don Lafontaine, The King of Trailer Voiceovers, Dies | Kit Bowen
3rd September 2008 |
| |
No longer will we hear that deep voice boom, “In a world where…” at the beginning of a movie trailer. Voiceover actor Don LaFontaine, whose catch phrase will live on, has died. He was 68. LaFontaine died Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from complications in the treatment of an ongoing illness, Vanessa Gilbert, his agent, told The Associated Press. In his 33-year career, LaFontaine made more than 5,000 trailers and never cared if anyone knew his name or his face. Of course, he became a little more well known after appearing in Geico car insurance commercials, in which he played himself telling a customer, 'In a world where both of our cars were totally under water...' In an interview with AP last year, LaFontaine explained the strategy behind the phrase. 'We have to very rapidly establish the world we are transporting them to,' he said of his viewers. 'That's very easily done by saying, ‘In a world where ... violence rules.' `In a world where ... men are slaves and women are the conquerors.' You very rapidly set the scene.' LaFontaine had worked in the promo industry as an audio engineer since the early 1960s but in an instant became a star with an announcer in 1965 didn’t show up for a recording session, a promo for the film Gunfighters of Casa Grande, leaving it up to a young LaFontaine to fill in. The rest, shall we say, is history. LaFontaine remained active until recently, averaging seven to 10 voiceover sessions a day. He worked from a home studio his wife nicknamed 'The Hole,' where his fax machine delivered scripts, AP reports. LaFontaine is survived by his wife, the singer and actress Nita Whitaker, and three daughters. His funeral arrangements were pending. |
|
Josh Harnett in Hotel Library Romp? | WENN
3rd September 2008 |
| |
Actor Josh Hartnett has reportedly received a verbal warning from security bosses at a London hotel after he was allegedly caught on camera getting intimate with a female friend in a public library. The Pearl Harbor star, who is preparing to take to the London stage for a theatre adaptation of Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise's movie Rain Man, was allegedly spotted enjoying a frisky romp with an unidentified female at the Soho Hotel--and security guards witnessed Hartnett's every move. They were forced to warn him not to repeat his steamy actions. A source tells Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, 'Josh and the girl were getting pretty hot and heavy. After stumbling in quite late, they legged it (ran) to the library and immediately closed all the curtains so that no one could see in. 'Unfortunately the hotel has security cameras all over the place--the library included. This means their every spit and cough was recorded, and cringing hotel workers saw all of Josh's X-rated moves. 'No one quite knew where to look and there was a very awkward silence. Josh didn't seem bothered that the library wasn't locked and anyone could just burst in. He just kind of went for it. 'After the event, someone had a quiet word in Josh's ear and he was asked to take his personal business elsewhere in future. Josh took it on the chin (acknowledged it) and didn't kick up a fuss. He's been as good as gold since.' Hartnett's stint on the West End stage was due to start on Tuesday, but has been delayed until next week because director Terry Johnson insists the play is not quite ready. |
|
Anne Hathaway to Continue Campaigning After Break-Up | WENN
3rd September 2008 |
| |
Anne Hathaway is determined not to let her recent break-up with Raffaello Follieri interfere with her campaign for U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama. The Get Smart star split from the Italian businessman in June 2008, shortly before he was arrested on suspicion of unscrupulous business dealings. But, speaking at last week's Democratic National Convention in Colorado, Hathaway insists she won't allow the split to keep her from supporting Obama's bid to take the White House. She tells the New York Daily News, 'My life didn't begin when my relationship with Raffaello began. I come from a middle-class Democratic family. I've had strong ties with the Clintons since they were elected. The most important thing for me is getting a Democrat in the White House. I keep thinking about Michelle Obama's speech... about our hopes and fears and not being afraid anymore.' |
|
Julia Roberts Teams Up with Rocker Bono | WENN
2nd September 2008 |
| |
Actress Julia Roberts has once again teamed up with Bono in his charity campaign to fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Roberts has been called upon by the U2 star and Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani for the second time, designing a T-shirt to be sold under the pair's Red label project. The team partnered up for the design, featuring the words 'revolution.evolution.devotion' over the treetop of a symbolic drawing by the actress, an acronym for Red, which aims to raise money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Money raised from events and product sales tied to the label have raised more than $110 million since it began in 2006, according to a statement from Armani. Roberts' T-shirt design, featuring her signature inside, is scheduled to go on sale later this month, September 2008. |
|
Russell Crowe Set for Sherlock Role | WENN
2nd September 2008 |
| |
Russell Crowe is set to play Sherlock Holmes' sidekick Dr .Watson in Guy Ritchie's new film. The Gladiator star is lined up to star opposite Robert Downey Jr. as the legendary fictional sleuth's confidante and storyteller in the forthcoming flick. A source tells British newspaper The Sun, 'Russell wants the part, Guy wants Russell. All they've got left to do is dot the i's and cross the t's.' |
|
David Duchovny Faces Losing Spokesperson Deal | WENN
1st September 2008 |
| |
Actor David Duchovny's sex addiction has reportedly prompted bosses at a fashion retail company to reconsider the actor as their spokesperson after removing his image from a New York store. Duchovny signed on as the face of fashion retailer Johnston & Murphy in July 2008.A spokesperson for the Nashville, Tennessee-based company said at the time: 'We are thrilled. David embodies success and confidence, along with a great sense of style, communicating the ideal image for the Johnston & Murphy brands.' But bosses at the company have reportedly recoiled their support of the actor since he checked into rehab for sex addiction last week, August 25. According to the New York Post, a poster of Duchovny was pulled down from the window of one of its Manhattan stores on Friday, August 29. A source from the store tells the newspaper: 'We got the call from corporate this morning to take him down.' |
|
Reporter Asks Charlize Theron to Marry Him | WENN
1st September 2008 |
| |
A cheeky reporter made Charlize Theron blush at the Venice Film Festival in Italy on Thursday, August 28, by asking her to marry him and then quizzing her about sleeping arrangements. The Oscar winner was promoting new film The Burning Plain at a press conference when the unnamed reporter plucked up courage to pop the question. He asked, 'I really like you so much and have a lot of respect for you but I would like to marry you, and I have a question: which side (of the bed) do you prefer to sleep on?' The quick-thinking actress replied, 'The side that you are not on,' before joking, 'Security! Security! Security!' She then added, 'You are very cute, but you know my boyfriend will kill you.' Theron's longterm beau is Irish actor Stuart Townsend. She then further confused the world's press by stating, 'I am married, I am taken, whatever.' Theron and Townsend have never officially wed, but the pair has always maintained they feel like a married couple. |
|
Carmen Electra Sues For Exploitation | WENN
1st September 2008 |
| |
Carmen Electra is suing a company for allegedly exploiting her celebrity status. The documents--filed at Los Angeles Superior Court under her real name Tara Patrick--accuse Payment Data Systems of breaching a contract with the star after hiring her for a merchandising deal. The lawsuit claims the company 'schemed to wrongfully exploit the Plaintiff's celebrity (status) and the value of her stage name and image for their own benefit and at the Plaintiff's expense.' Electra is suing for damages. |
|
Ricky Gervais Spooked at Haunted Hotel | Hollywood.com Staff
1st September 2008 |
| |
British comedian Ricky Gervais got the fright of his life when publicity for his new movie was ruined by paranormal activity in a Hollywood Hotel. Extras star Gervais was recently hosting a series of press junkets for his new movie, Ghost Town, at the Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, but left in a hurry when spooky happenings scared him and his co-workers. A terrified movie executive revealed that their work was disrupted by a string of supernatural occurrences. The exec tells British newspaper the Daily Star, 'We wanted the junkets at the Roosevelt because of its ghostly reputation. But we got so much more than we bargained for. A photoshoot we prepared was wrecked and two runners say they saw the figure of a lady in the full-length mirror. 'The final straw came when a production assistant stayed in the room earmarked for Ricky and claimed to have been freezing cold on the hottest day of the year. He said he woke up with someone whistling in his ear, even though he was alone, then heard a giggle before being pushed out of bed.' The Roosevelt has long been known as the most haunted hotel in Hollywood after years of reported ghostly sightings. |
|
Brad Pitt Belatedly Collects Venice Film Festival Award | WENN
28th August 2008 |
| |
Brad Pitt collected his Best Actor Award at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday, August 27, a year after winning the award.The Hollywood hunk took to the stage at the opening ceremony of the annual event to collect the Coppa Volpi for the best actor award for his role in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Pitt was awarded the honor last year (07), but was unable to accept the prize until this year's 2008 ceremony. And, as the star belatedly accepted the award, he joked with the cheering audience, 'You can run but you can't hide.' The actor is attending the 65th Venice International Film Festival to promote his latest film, Burn After Reading, which co-stars his pal George Clooney. |
|
Nicolas Cage Caught in Military Coup | Brigid Brown
28th August 2008 |
| |
Nicolas Cage took method acting to an entirely new level when he found himself filming in the middle of a military coup after the Thai military suddenly overthrew the government.The actor, 44, was in Thailand in 2006 filming the action flick Bangkok Dangerous (Release Date: August 29, 2008) when violence erupted as the military threw out prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his government according to WENN. He recalls, 'I was on the set around one in the morning, firing an automatic weapon, when the gun wrangler said, 'You've got to stop shooting. There's a military coup about to happen.' Cage compared what happened to the U.S. saying, 'I didn't even know what that meant. When was the last time we had a military coup in the U.S.?'He continued to say, 'I kept thinking my son and my wife were at the hotel. So I walked off the set, woke them up and I took them to the airport.' The actor was determined to carry on with the project, despite the threat of violence on the streets. He adds: 'I left my family at the airport, got back to Bangkok on another plane, flew back to the set - not knowing if I was going back into gunfire or tanks shooting, and finished the movie. There were tanks on the street. It was a terrifying experience.' |
|
|
