'Old fashioned' Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton is wearing a pink hat with rabbit ears at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. [Agencies]

Paris Hilton is "old fashioned" when it comes to dating.

The socialite - who split from Good Charlotte rocker Benji Madden last year - insists she always makes men wait a while before she kisses them.

She said: "I'm always really hard to get with guys. There's a process they have to go through. I'm very old fashioned really and I'll make them have, like, a million dates before the get a kiss.

"People are surprised because they think I've been through so many men, but it's not true. I don't really talk to guys - apart from Benji, who I was with in the past year."

Paris has been single since her break-up from Benji and isn't interested in committing to another man yet.

She added: "I'm not ready to move into another relationship. I think it'll be good for me to be alone and find out who I am. One day I'll find someone, but for now I don't want to be with anyone."
Taken From : China Daily

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Movie : Notorious

Movie Info :

Title : Notorious
Genres: Drama, Musical/Performing Arts and Biopic
Running Time: 2 hrs. 3 min.
Release Date: January 16th, 2009 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive language, some strong sexuality including dialogue, nudity, and for drug content.
Distributors: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Production Co.: By Storm Films, State Street Pictures, Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment, Voletta Wallace Films
Studios: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Filming Locations: New York, New York USA, Los Angeles, California USA
Produced in: United States
Starring: Jamal Woolard, Angela Bassett, Derek Luke, Anthony Mackie, Antonique Smith
Directed by: George Tillman Jr
Produced by: Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Voletta Wallace, Wayne Barrow
Official website : http://www.foxsearchlight.com/notorious

Synopsis :

'Notorious' is about the life of rapper Christopher Wallace a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G. In just a few short years, The Notorious B.I.G. rose from the streets of Brooklyn to become one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time. B.I.G. was a gifted storyteller; his narratives about violent life on the streets were told with a gritty, objective realism that won him enormous respect and credibility. His stories were universal and gave a voice to his generation.


Movie Review :

By Kirk Honeycutt

Bottom Line: Complex and involving biopic about the Notorious B.I.G. that never quite gives the full picture of its enigmatic central figure.
When Christopher Wallace, aka the Notorious B.I.G., died in a hail of bullets in March 1997 at age 24, he left behind a compelling yet contradictory legacy as one of hip-hop's premier personalities both in music and in life. So it is with "Notorious," a riveting but strangely elusive biopic from Fox Searchlight.

The film brings aboard many of the key players from his life as producers but can't quite solve the mystery of who was "Biggie."

Nevertheless, this is the first gotta-see movie of 2009. It has terrific performances, a powerful soundtrack and eye-catching visuals. Normally, such a film will turn out hip-hoppers and its core audience. But Fox Searchlight knows how to market to a crossover crowd, so this might also be first hit film of 2009.

The story begins on that March night in Los Angeles as Biggie leaves a party after a music awards show, then flashes back through his life with the young rapper acting as narrator, almost as if he were telling his own story as his life flashes before his eyes.

And flash it does. One minute he's an overweight kid in Brooklyn's poor Bedford-Stuyvesant 'hood, sitting on a stoop writing song lyrics -- the kid is poignantly played by Biggie's own son, Christopher Jordan Wallace -- and the next he's a street corner pusher, then a father, convict and, upon release from prison, a man who sees hip-hop as a way to channel street smarts into fame, fortune and just possibly maturity.

Jamal Woolard, a rapper who hails from near Biggie's old neighborhood and possesses his imposing size and swagger, is pleasingly sweet-natured and entirely credible as this overgrown kid who has a knack for translating a ghetto everyman's life and dreams into musical poetry. His girth makes him lean into characters' faces and into scenes at startling angles that feel intensely intimate.

For a man apparently making his first film, Woolard carries the movie like a pro. Cross your fingers that this is no fluke, for this guy could be a real comer.

Director George Tillman Jr. has assembled a first-rate picture, splashing across the screen a colorful milieu, strong emotional scenes and vivid characters that seemingly move to hip-hop rhythms. You get a fleeting impression of a life lived large -- pun and image intended -- but also a sense of how hip-hop artists exploit the visions and fantasies of the mean streets.

But there's a problem here. The film is produced by Biggie's mother and his two managers and exec produced by Sean Combs, the rap impresario who produced his records. So the screenplay by Reggie Rock Bythewood and Cheo Hodari Coker, Biggie's biographer no less, is something of an authorized biopic. Yes, Biggie's many character flaws are all over the place. But in his world, all that macho, gangsta nonsense only adds to one's street cred -- and helps to sell a movie and a soundtrack based on his life.

What the movie isn't able to do is show what he's thinking or, just as important, what he's not thinking. Where do the extreme moods swings come from? The awkward beyond-the-grave narration struggles to do this, but it's a no-go. The film is so close to its subject that it lacks perspective.

"Notorious" also is in such a rush that it loses track of things. Biggie's mom, gracefully placed by Angela Bassett, is just coming out of cancer surgery when she literally disappears for an hour. His women -- his baby's mama (Julia Pace Mitchell), his discovery and lover Lil' Kim (Naturi Naughton) and wife Faith Evans (Antonique Smith) -- leave him in red-hot anger, then are making nice-nice a few scenes later.

The whole West Coast-vs.-East Coast rapper thing, the Tupac Shakur (Anthony Mackie) vs. Biggie rivalry of blood hatred that got both men assassinated, is put down to a simple misunderstanding the two never quite got around to working out. Really? OK, maybe so, but that's pathetic, not tragic.

"Notorious," which features C. Malik Whitfield and Kevin Phillips as Biggie's managers and Derek Luke as "Puffy" Combs, catches much of the soul and spirit of this larger-than-life figure cut down before his prime. But you don't only wonder what if; you also wonder -- who was that guy?
Taken From : http://www.hollywoodreporter.com

Notorious 2009 HD Teaser Trailer

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"Mall Cop" stays on top at box office

Actor/comedian Kevin James laughs during a news conference in Las Vegas April 20, 2002.[Agencies]

LOS ANGELES- The Kevin James comedy "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" captured the top spot at the North American box office for a second week in a row, beating back a challenge by the vampires and werewolves of "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans."

"Mall Cop," which stars James as a bumbling shopping mall security guard who takes on a gang of high-tech crooks, sold an estimated $21.5 million in tickets over the weekend and has now taken in a strong total of $64.8 million in two weeks, distributor Columbia Pictures said on Sunday.

James, the star of the sitcom "The King of Queens," also co-wrote and co-produced "Mall Cop," which was made for a modest $26 million and has become a major box office hit despite taking a drubbing from critics.

"This movie was not made for the critics, it was made for the audience, and that certainly paid off," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box office tracking and analysis firm Media By Numbers.

"Its going to be a $100 million-plus movie now and I don't think anybody thought that was possible," he said.

Dergarabedian said that the success of "Cop" meant that "Kevin James is now a bona fide movie star" after nine years on television and in mostly sidekick film roles.

"Underworld," the third film in an action series chronicling a centuries-old battle between vampires and werewolves, also had a strong debut, falling just short of the top spot with $20.7 million.

PAUL BLART VS VAMPIRES

Dergarabedian said "Underworld" had proven to be a reliable franchise, after the first two films claimed the top spot.

"The only reason this one didn't was because the vampires and werewolves had Paul Blart to contend with," he said.

In third place was Clint Eastwood's gritty suburban drama "Gran Torino," which took in $16 million to run its total to date to $97.6 million.

This weekend's box office tally also reflected the Oscar nominations, which gave a significant bounce to most of the contending films.

"Slumdog Millionaire," the tale of an impoverished orphan's improbably game-show victory which received 10 Academy Award nominations, including best picture, saw ticket sales up 80 percent to $10.5 million, putting it in the fifth spot behind family comedy "Hotel for Dogs."

And "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," which led all films with 13 Oscar nominations, returned to the top 10 by taking in $6 million over the weekend, good enough for 9th on the list and pushing the Brad Pitt star vehicle to $111 million total.

Columbia Pictures, which released "Mall Cop," and Screen Gems, which released "Underworld," are both are units of Sony Corp.

"Gran Torino" was released by Warner Bros, a unit of Time Warner Inc..

"Hotel for Dogs" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button were released by Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc.

"Slumdog Millionaire" was released by Fox Searchlight, a unit of News Corp.

Taken From : China Daily

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Pitt and Jolie arrive with their children at Narita airport

U.S. actors Brad Pitt (R) and Angelina Jolie arrive with their children at Narita airport, near Tokyo, January 27, 2009. Pitt is in Japan to promote the film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". [Agencies]

U.S. actress Angelina Jolie arrive with her children at Narita airport, near Tokyo, January 27, 2009. [Agencies]

U.S. actors Brad Pitt (C) waves to fans upon his arrival with actress Angelina Jolie and their children at Narita airport, near Tokyo, January 27, 2009. Pitt is in Japan to promote the film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". [Agencies]

U.S. actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrive with their children at Narita airport, near Tokyo, January 27, 2009. Pitt is in Japan to promote the film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". [Agencies]

U.S. actors Brad Pitt (L) and Angelina Jolie arrive with their children at Narita airport, near Tokyo, January 27, 2009. Pitt is in Japan to promote the film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". [Agencies]

U.S. actors Brad Pitt (L) and Angelina Jolie arrive with their children at Narita airport, near Tokyo, January 27, 2009. Pitt is in Japan to promote the film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". [Agencies]

U.S. actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrive with their children at Narita airport, near Tokyo, January 27, 2009. Pitt is in Japan to promote the film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". [Agencies]

U.S. actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrive with their children at Narita airport, near Tokyo, January 27, 2009. Pitt is in Japan to promote the film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". [Agencies]

Taken From : China Daily

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Angelina Jolie: The book

U.S. actress Angelina Jolie poses for photographers as she arrives for the premiere of the film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" by director David Fincher in Paris January 22, 2009. [Agencies]

Angelina Jolie is to be the subject of a tell-all book.

The actress' former bodyguard Mickey Brett is reportedly planning to reveal intimate details about his time with Angelina and her life with partner Brad Pitt.

Mickey will also tackle the mystery surrounding whether the Hollywood beauty started dating her 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith' co-star Brad before he separated from now ex-wife Jennifer Aniston in 2005.

A source said: "He knows everything about Angelina. It's going to be one of the most explosive books ever written.

"It will include all the sordid details of how they got together."

Mickey - who is believed to have never been asked to sign a confidentiality agreement while working for the couple - headed up their Namibian security team when they stayed there around the time of the birth of their first daughter together, Shiloh, now two.

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Miley Cyrus' 'nervous' mother

Singer and actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the 66th annual Golden Globe awards in Beverly Hills, California January 11, 2009. [Agencies]

Miley Cyrus' mother is a "nervous wreck" when her daughter drives.

The 'Hannah Montana' star recently passed her driving test, but admits her mom Leticia Finley is still scared to get in a vehicle if she is behind the wheel.

She said: "I'm a good driver but I make my mum a nervous wreck, which makes me nervous."

The 16-year-old star insists she can handle her car and is determined not to let her mother's anxiety get to her.

She said: "I love driving, and I'm pretty good at it - I really am!"

Miley drives a Porsche, but it was recently reported she hates being seen in the luxury motor as it used to belong to her mom.

Explaining she would have preferred a brand new model, Miley said: "I do have a car. I took my mom's old car. I didn't get the one I wanted, but I got the old car which wasn't so bad because it was a Porsche. I suppose it was a pretty good hand me down."

The actress also revealed she found learning to drive hard, not least because she was attacked by a fruit-wielding assailant during one lesson.

She said: "I already had a big Student Driver sign over my head, and someone threw a banana at me!"

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Stewart, Flea refute reports of Faces reunion

Singer Rod Stewart performs during his concert in Almeria, southern Spain May 30, 2008. Picture taken May 30, 2008.[Agencies]

NEW YORK - Representatives of Rod Stewart and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea have denied reports that the Faces are reuniting after more than 30 years for an album as well as a tour with Flea on bass.

Stewart's spokesperson told Billboard that "there are no plans for a Faces reunion tour this year." A spokesperson for Flea told Billboard the musician "knows nothing" of a Faces tour.

Guitarist Ron Wood, a member of the Rolling Stones since the Faces split up in 1975, reportedly told the U.K.'s Daily Mirror that he and Stewart wrote an album's worth of new material during a Christmas vacation, and that Flea would be participating in an upcoming tour. But the online version of the piece has since disappeared from the Daily Mirror Web site.

Rumors have swirled since the fall that Stewart, Wood, Ian McLagan and Kenney Jones were planning to tour again. The musicians reportedly rehearsed last year with Stewart touring bassist Conrad Korsch filling the role of Ronnie Lane, who died in 1997. But a recent report in the New York Post suggested the members didn't get along during the process and that a tour seemed unlikely.

Keyboardist McLagan is already booked for a spring North American tour in support of his new album, "Never Say Never," due March 3 from 00:02:59 Records.

There have been a handful of near-Faces reunions since the band broke up, including at a 1986 Stewart concert at London's Wembley Stadium. The surviving members have performed together in various incomplete incarnations in recent years, such as when Wood and McLagan joined Stewart at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in 2004.

Taken From : China Daily

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Kate Beckinsale's charity catsuit

Presenter Kate Beckinsale smiles backstage at the 66th annual Golden Globe awards in Beverly Hills, California January 11, 2009. [Agencies]

Presenter Kate Beckinsale poses backstage at the 66th annual Golden Globe awards in Beverly Hills, California January 11, 2009. [Agencies]

Kate Beckinsale's 'Underworld' catsuit is being auctioned. The sexy, black leather all-in-one garment will be sold at Premiere Props in El Segundo, California, on February 7, with all proceeds going to the Entertainment Industry Foundation.

Other items from the 'Underworld' films, including a medical book, a serum vial and a serum injector are also open for bids.

Vice President of Marketing for Premiere Props Dan Levin said: "Fans and movie collectors will be truly amazed with the rare hero costumes and movie memorabilia from all three 'Underworld' movies that will be up for bid."

This is not the first time fans have been able to get their hands on a piece of celebrity memorabilia. A pair of stilettos belonging to Kate Moss and Jude Law's suit were offered in an auction for charity Breast Cancer Care last year.

Michael Jackson's dirty underwear was offered on internet auction site eBay, as was the Union Jack-painted double decker bus featured in the Spice Girls movie.

Taken From : China Daily

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Tom Cruise's UK move

U.S. actor Tom Cruise and his wife Katie Holmes pose on the red carpet at the British premiere of the film Valkyrie at Leicester Square in London January 21, 2009. [Agencies]

Tom Cruise wants to move to the UK.

The actor - who lived in London's Notting Hill district for two years while married to Nicole Kidman - says he and wife Katie Holmes are considering leaving America so the 'Batman Begins' actress can pursue her theatre career further.

He said: "It would be a fantastic move. Katie was absolutely brilliant on Broadway and to work in the West End would be a joy. It is something to consider for both of us.

"I think we'd love it here, even if it is so, so cold!"

Although he did not confirm when the couple - who have a two-year-old daughter Suri - would consider moving, Tom is planning another trip to Europe soon in order to visit close friend David Beckham. The soccer star recently moved to Italy to play for A.C. Milan.

He said: "I'll see him. I'm glad he's playing for Milan, it's great, he's playing great, it's exciting and cool.

"We'll still see his wife Victoria and the kids, all of them. It's cool, they're amazing people."

The 46-year-old star also revealed he has made "big plans" for Valentine's day (14.02.09), but refused to be drawn on the details.

Speaking at the London premiere of his new movie 'Valkyrie', Tom told BANG Showbiz: "I have plans. It's a surprise for Katie, so I can't say what."

Taken From : China Daily


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Hayden Panettiere's dad gets probation for assault

Actress Hayden Panettiere arrives at The Huffington Post Pre-Inaugural Ball in Washington January 19, 2009. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – The father of "Heroes" teen star Hayden Panettiere pleaded no contest to assaulting his wife and was sentenced to two years' probation, Los Angeles prosecutors said on Thursday.

Alan Panettiere, 49, could have been sentenced to up to one year in jail for the misdemeanor battery charge stemming from an August 2008, assault on his wife, Lesley.

He was not charged with a felony, which is a more serious category of crime.

As well as sentencing Panettiere to probation, Beverly Hills Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel imposed on him a year of domestic violence counseling and $400 in fines.

She also ordered Panettiere to not harm or annoy his wife.

Hayden Panettiere, 19, plays a cheerleader with healing powers on the television drama "Heroes."

Taken From : China Daily

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Oscar voters fail to make Clint Eastwood's day

Clint Eastwood accepts the award for Best Actor in "Gran Torino" at the National Board of Review Awards Gala in New York January 14, 2009.[Agencies]

LOS ANGELES- Clint Eastwood just made one of the biggest movies of his career, but Oscar voters kicked the tires of "Gran Torino" and drove off in other vehicles.

The drama which Eastwood directed, produced and starred in -- as well as co-wrote the theme song -- failed to score a single mention when nominations for the 81st annual Academy Awards were announced on Thursday.

"Gran Torino's" best hope was for an acting award for Eastwood himself. He plays a grumpy old war veteran who takes on Hmong gang members, Dirty Harry-style. The Hollywood tough guy has four Oscars, but none for acting.

Of course, with five slots in the main categories, somebody's favorite film will always miss out. And "Gran Torino" fared poorly in other races this season with a grand total of zero Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards.

On the other hand, audiences embraced the Warner Bros. release. The recent chart-topper is on track to earn about $130 million at the North American box office, surpassing 1993's "In the Line of Fire" to become Eastwood's biggest movie to date.

Some critics said they were less than surprised by the snub. Robert Wilonsky of the Dallas Observer said "Gran Torino" was "close to a Clint Eastwood parody."

As he did in 2007, Eastwood had two films in contention. He also directed the fact-based corruption drama "Changeling," which earned three nominations, including best actress for Angelina Jolie.

The Oscar frontrunners are "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" with 13 nominations and "Slumdog Millionaire" with 10.

Rolling Stone magazine critic Peter Travers lambasted the "backward thinking" of Academy voters for a number of exclusions, including Bruce Springsteen for best original song, and "The Dark Knight" and "WALL-E" for best picture.

Springsteen was considered a favorite for his title track for "The Wrestler." Indeed, he won the Golden Globe less than two weeks ago. But this time, the veteran rocker was knocked out by a tune from "WALL-E" and two from "Slumdog Millionaire."

WINSLET, KIDMAN

"The Dark Knight," with eight nominations, and "WALL-E" with six, clearly scored with Oscar voters, but that was small consolation for Travers. Both were huge commercial and critical hits last year and should have had a shot at best picture.

"If there was ever a time where an animated feature deserved to be nominated for best picture it's WALL-E," Travers said.

Depending on whether one views a glass as being half-empty or half-full, Kate Winslet could be considered a loser of sorts.

The British actress did score an Oscar nomination -- her sixth -- for playing a former Nazi prison guard in "The Reader." But her role as a woman in a frayed marriage in "Revolutionary Road" did not pass muster with the Academy. She won Golden Globes for both films.

"Revolutionary Road," which was directed by Winslet's husband Sam Mendes, was largely overlooked, landing three nominations, including supporting actor for Michael Shannon.

"Australia," director Baz Luhrmann's lavish period drama starring Nicole Kidman and Oscars host Hugh Jackman, garnered a single nomination for costume design. Kidman could have been in contention for two movies if pregnancy had not forced her to give up her role in "The Reader" to Winslet.

Taken From : China Daily

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Sienna Miller's teeth trouble

In this Nov. 7, 2008 file photo, British actress Sienna Miller arrives at the launch event for the Hollywood Domino game in central London. [Agencies]

Sienna Miller has been criticised for her unruly hair and bad teeth.

The actress appears in 'The September Issue', a documentary following US Vogue editor Anna Wintour as she puts out the September 2007 edition of the famed magazine, and shows staff despairing over their cover star.

The documentary debuted at the Sundance Film Festival this week and one viewer said: "It must be awful for Sienna to see. Anna keeps complaining she is too 'toothy' and the other staff are worried she has too many fillings.

"The editors hint at Sienna to cut her hair and she ignores them, which worried them even more. It was funny, but probably not for her."

The revealing footage also shows the eventual cover shot, taken from pictures by famed photographer Mario Testino, which is made up of two images of Sienna.

Her head is taken from one shot and superimposed on another image of her body.

Meanwhile, Sienna has landed a role in a Broadway play.

The 27-year-old British star will play the titular character in 'Miss Julie' at the Roundabout Theatre in New York's prestigious theatre district from September.

The actress has previously appeared in London's West End in a stage production of 'As You Like It'.

Taken From : China Daily


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"Twilight" star Stewart rides roller coaster of fame

Actress Kristen Stewart poses for a portrait while promoting the film 'Adventureland' at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 20, 2009. [Agencies]

PARK CITY, UTAH – Vampire romance "Twilight" hurtled Kristen Stewart to the kind of fame that can turn a life into a roller coaster ride, so it seems appropriate that her new movie revolves around an amusement park.

"Adventureland," which premiered this week at the Sundance Film Festival, is one of a string of quirky movies Stewart, 18, has starred-in since her first film at age 11.

But none of those movies ever brought the actress the sort of attention she has received the last two months since "Twilight" struck gold at box offices with more than $324 million worldwide since its November debut.

In the movie, Stewart portrayed Bella Swan, a love-struck teen adored by millions of young girls after they began devouring the series of books on which the movie is based.

Stewart is a child of Hollywood -- the daughter of a stage manager and a script supervisor -- and her Los Angeles upbringing provided a close up view of fame that has helped her handle the three-ring media circus of Hollywood celebrity.

"I grew up on a set," she told Reuters at Sundance. "I don't take it as seriously, and then at the same time I take it more seriously than anyone. It's like a balance."

"Adventureland" is a coming-of-age movie about a recent college graduate named James, played by "The Squid and the Whale" star Jesse Eisenberg, who takes a summer job at an amusement park.

There, he falls in love with a tortured but sincere young carnival worker named Em Lewin (Stewart) and finds that true love is an adventure in and of itself.

THE MEDIA GLARE

Actor Jesse Eisenberg (L) and actress Kristen Stewart poses for a portrait while promoting the film "Adventureland" at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 20, 2009. [Agencies]

Miramax Films will release the movie in March, following its premiere at Sundance -- the No. 1 U.S. gathering for independent film. At the festival, a quirky and offbeat love story like "Adventureland" can gain the kind of media attention it needs to lure audiences to box offices.

"Adventureland" director Greg Mottola, who made 2007 hit comedy "Superbad," said he has counseled Stewart about handling fame and fortune because the microscopic scrutiny by the media can be overwhelming for a teenager.

"I think there are some people who have some innate movie star gene that lets them just walk into that, like a George Clooney," he said. "But it didn't happen to him when he was that young. So I feel for her, that's a really hard thing."

She may be young, but Stewart already is something of a veteran and appears to handle the media glare well and she wants to stay active in Hollywood.

Already she has 16 movies on her filmography including "Panic Room," "The Cake Eaters," "Into the Wild" and "What Just Happened." Her first role was 2001's "The Safety of Objects," about suburban families whose lives intertwine.

With upcoming roles as rocker Joan Jett in a biopic and again playing Bella in "New Moon," the next installment in the "Twilight" franchise, Stewart said she has no immediate plans to attend college.

"Not now, maybe if I can grow up a little bit," she said. "But not yet, I can't. It's just I've had a lot of demands put on me for quite a long time."

Taken From : China Daily


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Boyle says "Slumdog" not perfect

People pass by a billboard displaying a poster of the film 'Slumdog Millionaire' in Mumbai January 20, 2009. [Agencies]

NEW DELHI– "Slumdog Millionaire" is not perfect, director Danny Boyle said on Wednesday, adding no filmmaker could capture the essence of a bustling city like Mumbai in a single project.

The cast and crew of the Oscar hopeful are in India in the run-up to the Indian premiere of the critically acclaimed film, a rags-to-riches story of a boy from a Mumbai slum competing on a TV gameshow.

"I have to admit, absolutely admit, that it's not perfect. I don't think any filmmaker can ever capture that city," the British director said at a press conference in New Delhi.

"It's an extraordinary city with all its extremes. You hope to capture bits of it if you can. That's what we tried to do."

"Slumdog Millionaire" came under fire from parts of the Indian media, who accused Boyle of romanticizing slums and peddling begging rackets, prostitution and crime as "Indian exotica."

The film has sparked a debate on whether such "poverty porn" reinforces Western stereotypes about the country, though Boyle said he was trying to capture Mumbai's "lust for life."

"Slumdog Millionaire" swept the Golden Globe awards this month, landing four honors including best drama, and earned 11 nominations at Britain's BAFTA awards.

Boyle, known for his unconventional story-telling in films like "Trainspotting," said it was his "bedrock" of realism that helped him make "Slumdog."

"We've lost the ability to tell extremes within conventional realistic stories with believable everyday characters," the 52-year-old filmmaker said, adding that is what he had tried to achieve in "Slumdog."

Boyle said he would love to return to Mumbai some day to direct a "really dark thriller."

"It's got that landscape really and it's not obviously architecture so much -- it's more its people."

"Slumdog Millionaire" opens in Indian cinemas on Friday, a day after this year's Oscar nominations are revealed.

But Boyle said he wasn't thinking of the Academy Awards just yet.

"We keep our fingers crossed. But even if we drop off the edge of a cliff tomorrow, that's fine," he said.

"We have done way beyond we could have ever imagined."

Taken From : China Daily


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Matt Dillon pleads not guilty to speeding

Actor Matt Dillon arrives to attend a Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights gala in New York November 19, 2008. [Agencies]

CHELSEA, Vt. – Matt Dillon pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a Dec. 30 speeding charge in which police say they spotted the actor doing 106 miles per hour on an interstate highway.

Dillon's lawyer, Mark Kaplan of Burlington, entered the plea on behalf of the 44-year-old actor. Kaplan said there was no reason for Dillon to attend the arraignment, and he hoped to resolve the case without going to trial.

"He lives in New York. As you can see from today's proceedings it's a 2-minute deal, so it's really not worth the trip for him to come up here when I can take care of it," Kaplan said after the hearing.

In an affidavit filed with the Vermont District Court in Chelsea, a state trooper said Dillon was apologetic and cooperative.

"I screwed up, I know, I know," the affidavit quoted Dillon as saying as a trooper approached his car.

Because Dillon was allegedly traveling more than 30 mph over the posted 65-mph speed limit on the interstate, he was charged with criminal negligent operation. The charge is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Dillon, whose screen credits include "Crash" and "There's Something About Mary," told police he was rushing to meet a friend in the town of Barton.

Taken From : China Daily


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Duffy, Coldplay dominate Brit Awards nominations

Welsh singer and songwriter Duffy arrives at the Cannes festival palace, to take part in the NRJ awards ceremony, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, in Cannes, southern France. [Agencies]

LONDON – Soul singer Duffy and Coldplay dominate the nominations for Britain's prestigious music awards.

Coldplay's first album in three years, "Viva La Vida" and Duffy's "Rockferry" are both nominated for the title of best British album at the Brit Awards.

Coldplay will also compete with Elbow, Girls Aloud, Radiohead and revived boyband Take That for the title of best British Group.

Kayne West, Beyonce and Kings of Leon are nominated for the international categories.

The Brit Awards are the British equivalent of the Grammys and the nominations were announced Tuesday. The winners will be announced in London on Feb. 18.

Most winners are selected by a vote of over 1,000 industry members and include representatives from record companies, retailers and disc jockeys.

Taken From : China Daily

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Brad Pitt's shark 'interest'

U.S. actors Brad Pitt and his partner Angelina Jolie pose for photographers on the red carpet at the German premiere of the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" in Berlin January 19, 2009. [Agencies]

Brad Pitt thinks being eaten by a shark would be "interesting".

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' star insists he isn't scared of getting older, but often wonders how his life will finally end.

The 45-year-old actor said: "I'm more afraid of how I'll go. Fire and tight spaces don't appeal... A shark would be interesting."

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' is a big screen adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1921 short story.

In the movie, Brad plays the title character - a man who is born with all the physical attributes of an old man, and slowly grows back into a young child.

Brad recently revealed he can't wait to grow old because he thinks it will make him more intelligent.

He said: "I like the wisdom that comes with age. I wouldn't trade it for youth any day."

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' - which also stars Cate Blanchett - received 11 nominations at this year's BAFTA Awards, with Brad named in the Best Leading Actor category.
Taken From : China Daily


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Paris Hilton shunned by sister?

Paris Hilton is being shunned by her sister Nicky.

Nicky is reportedly distancing herself from her sister because she hates Brittany Flickinger, the winner of Paris' reality TV show 'My New BFF'.

A source told the New York Post newspaper: "Nicky can't stand Paris' new BFF."

The feud is believed to have reached new heights last week, when Nicky banned Paris from staying at Dreamworks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg's house during the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

Paris and Brittany had to rent their own apartment, but the heiress soon grew tired of Brittany, choosing to party with former Danity Kane singer Aubrey O'Day.

The source added: "Paris kept ditching Brittany for Aubrey".

The situation came to a head in the early hours of Saturday morning (17.01.09), when Brittany spotted Paris and Aubrey having fun at exclusive bar Tao.

The source adds: "Brittany was crying and screaming 'Paris, stop leaving me!' "

But her pleading didn't work - Paris spent the next day with MySpace CEO Chris DeWolfe at the MySpace Cafe while Brittany wandered around town by herself.

The 27-year-old heiress - who recently claimed she has been single since splitting with Good Charlotte rocker Benji Madden - and DeWolfe were later seen "grinding" and "sucking face" on the dance floor at Tao.
Taken From : China Daily

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Rapper 50 Cent expands empire to filmmaking

Rap artist 50 Cent performs at Tao during the 2008 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 19, 2008.[Agencies]

PARK CITY, Utah - Bullet-scarred rapper 50 Cent owns a record label and clothing line, acts and writes books, and now he is adding film production to his multimedia empire -- promoting his new venture this week at the Sundance Film Festival.

50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has launched Cheetah Vision, and he told Reuters at Sundance, the top U.S. independent film festival, that he was not concerned about starting a new business during the global financial crisis.

"I don't think it will affect me as much as it will the other people that are out there because I'm not afraid to finance some of these things myself if I have to," he said.

The rapper, who takes his name from a "stickup kid from Brooklyn," was ranked No. 26 on Forbes 2008 list of top 100 richest celebrities with estimated earnings of about $150 million between June 2007 and June 2008.

50 Cent had a stake in Glaceau, which makes Vitaminwater, and the bulk of his earnings came from the sale of the company to Coca-Cola Co. Forbes estimates the rapper banked about $100 million after taxes from the deal.

He said Cheetah Vision had already bought eight scripts and among the first to be produced would be "The Dance," starring himself and Nicolas Cage.

"(The script) was previously passed around a little bit but both me and Nicolas Cage had an interest in the film so it will still happen. He plays the founder of a boxing program, and I play a fighter who goes to state prison," 50 Cent said.

"They are all different types of movies that I bought the rights to, and we're developing projects. You will see different things from me in the future," he said.

The rapper, who was a teenage drug dealer in the New York City borough of Queens, also makes his debut as a director this year, giving away his feature film, "Before I Self Destruct," free with his latest album of the same name, which is due to be released in late March.

"It's an opportunity to make sure my fans get to see my first piece," he said of the film, which he also wrote and produced. "It actually allowed me to show cause and effect to some of the actions that I wrote about on the album."

"Because I have three minutes to create a song its not enough time for me to give an explanation for a person doing these things. It's just saying the action and not giving a description of the circumstances they are under," he added.

The film, in which he also stars, tells the tale of an inner city youth whose mother is shot to death so he takes up a life of crime in order to support his younger brother.

While 50 Cent has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, he also has picked up steady film roles since appearing in 2005's semi-autobiographical "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," also the title of his 2003 debut album.

Later this year, he will be seen in "Streets of Blood" with Val Kilmer and Sharon Stone, and he is also due to start filming "13" with Mickey Rourke.

50 Cent, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino all starred in 2008's "Righteous Kill," and the rapper said he may work again with Robert De Niro.

Taken From : China Daily

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Katy Perry's award mistake

Katy Perry was forced to return an award she was mistakenly given in France.

The singer was delighted when she won the Best International Song prize for her single 'I Kissed A Girl' at the NRJ Awards in Cannes, but was later asked to hand it back when organisers admitted the accolade should have gone to Rihanna for 'Disturbia'.

The ceremony's French host Nikos Alliagas told the audience: "We are terribly sorry, but we made a mistake. It wasn't Katy Perry who was supposed to pick up the Best International Song, but Rihanna with 'Disturbia'.

"We hope Rihanna and Katy Perry won't be too upset and we apologise to all the fans who voted for them. The wrong name was put in the envelope. We're really terribly sorry. Katy Perry will have to give her award to Rihanna."

'Disturbia' was playing when Katy climbed the stairs to receive the prize, but the presentation went ahead.

Although Katy was said to be upset by the mix up, she was soon smiling again when she legitimately won the Best International Album category for 'One Of The Boys'.

Accepting the accolade, a beaming Katy said: "You love me, you really love me!"

Other winners at the awards - which are voted for by listeners of national French radio station NRJ - included Britney Spears, the Pussycat Dolls and Enrique Iglesias.

Taken From : China Daily
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