Cowell says he'd jump ship if "Idol" sinks

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Simon Cowell, one of the judges on the American Idol television show, is interviewed as he arrives for the show's season finale in Los Angeles, California, May 21, 2008. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES - "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell says he will leave the most popular show on television if it ever slips from the top spot in the ratings.

"The idea that for the next five years, I'd be doing exactly what I've been doing for the past five years ... the thought is just too depressing," Cowell said in a recent interview in his trailer, awaiting a taping of "Idol" at CBS Television City. "I'd go nuts, bored out of my mind. You have to evolve, you have to change. I like the challenge of launching something new."

With Cowell's deal with Fox expiring at the end of next season, that something new could be a U.S. version of his U.K. singing competition series "The X Factor." Any doubts about Cowell's role in the success of "Idol" disappeared when he launched "Factor" three years ago. The similarly formatted show became a massive hit that has since supplanted "American Idol" predecessor "Pop Idol."

The "Factor" success was worrisome enough for Fox to forbid Cowell from launching the show in the U.S. while he's under his current "Idol" deal. But all that could soon change. Between the continuing popularity of "Idol" and Cowell's ownership of "Factor," he's armed with both a carrot and a stick.

Asked if he would want to stay on "Idol" if the series ever slips from No. 1 in the ratings, Cowell burst out laughing at the apparent obviousness of the answer.

"Absolutely not!" he said, looking horrified. "Being No. 1 is verging on an obsession with me. I don't like being No. 2. I don't mind when you start at No. 10 -- people don't always go on as No. 1 -- and you've got somewhere to go. But if you're at the point you've reached it, of course you want to stay there."

Though the "Idol" audience has declined over the past few seasons, the show remains far and away the ratings champ, with about 22 million viewers per episode. No other program approaches its popularity.

Unlike many in the TV business, Cowell rejects the claim that "Idol" ratings erosion is inevitable.

"I don't accept the argument of fragmentation or declining numbers," he said. "The Super Bowl goes up every year."

"Factor," he noted, also has increased its audience every year, which suggested to Cowell that the U.S. is ready for another music competition series.

"We have to bring in another music show," he said. "In the U.K., there is more than one type of music show running throughout the year. And I think the same thing could happen here, because for the fall, nothing really happens. It's something we've been thinking about ... I would definitely do it now."

"Maybe it'll be 'X Factor,'" he teased vaguely. "Maybe it'll be something new."

taken from : China Daily

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Russell Brand's Obama call

Noel Gallagher and Russell Brand phoned US President Barack Obama to quiz him about soccer.

The pair made a call to the American leader during their radio show on British station talkSPORT, which aired last night (19.04.09), to discover if Obama's confession he is a fan of English Premier League team West Ham United is true.

Russell - who supports the East London club - phoned the White House, and when he didn't get through left a voicemail message.

Referring to West Ham's stadium and manager, the controversial star said: "Dear Barack Obama, we are calling you to find out if you are in fact the world's most famous West Ham supporter as it is claimed. I haven't ever seen you at Upton Park, and what formation do you suggest Gianfranco Zola plays?"

Afterwards a nervous Noel said: "This answer phone message better not jeopardise my American visa situation."

The show was Russell's first radio appearance since he resigned from his BBC Radio 2 slot - on which the Oasis guitarist was a regular guest - following a row over lewd phone calls made to 79-year-old actor Andrew Sachs last October.

In the calls, Russell and British presenter Jonathan Ross - who was suspended for three months from the BBC for his part in the prank - revealed Russell had bedded Sachs' granddaughter Georgina Baillie.

During his radio return, Russell telephoned Jonathan to ask if he wanted to be interviewed on air.

A highly amused Noel said of the pair: "This is two people who haven't learnt their lesson."

taken from : China Daily

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India probes dispute over 'Slumdog' child star

This Sunday, April 19, 2009 photo shows 'Slumdog Millionaire' actor Rubina Ali, left, leaving the police station along with her father Rafiq Quereshi, right, in Mumbai, India. Rafiq Quereshi was questioned by the police again on Monday regarding allegations that he tried to sell his daughter Rubina. [Agencies]

MUMBAI, India – Indian police are investigating claims and counterclaims by the parents of a child star in "Slumdog Millionaire" after a British tabloid alleged the father tried to sell the 9-year-old girl to an undercover reporter.

The accusations further complicated the lives of the families of the slum-dwelling child stars, who have come under intense scrutiny since the movie skyrocketed to Oscar-winning fame and grossed more than $300 million worldwide.

Khurshid Begum, the estranged mother of "Slumdog Millionaire" star Rubina Ali, filed a complaint with Mumbai police on Sunday after News of the World reported that the father planned to put her up for adoption. The British newspaper said the deal was allegedly offered to one of its reporters posing as a sheik from the Mideast.

The newspaper — owned by News International Ltd., the main British subsidiary of News Corp., which also owns "Slumdog" distributor Fox Searchlight Pictures — said the father was demanding millions of rupees, worth the equivalent of $400,000.

"They should be punished," Begum said after getting into a physical confrontation with Rubina's stepmother. "No father should dare sell his daughter."

Police took the father, Rafiq Qureshi, and Rubina from their home in a Mumbai slum to a police station where he was briefly questioned.

Speaking to reporters outside the police station Sunday, Qureshi denied the report, saying he had been lured to a fancy Mumbai hotel by someone claiming they were moved by Rubina's story and wanted to help her.

"We had gone there to meet them in goodwill," he said. "But they have made false allegations about me and tried to frame me."

He said he was promised cash and "were talking of giving more too" if he gave up his daughter.

"But I refused," he said.

Qureshi said he told police he believed it could be a plot to regain custody by his ex-wife, who left several years ago, only to return and try to play a role in Rubina's life after the film's success.

"My children are with me, and I could give my life for them," Qureshi said. "I will never sell them to anybody, no matter how much money they offer me."

Police said they were investigating.

"There are claims and counterclaims made by the mothers and the father," police officer Nishar Tamboli told reporters. "We are probing the matter."

The newspaper quoted Qureshi as saying that Hollywood was to blame for forcing him to give her up for adoption.

"We've got nothing out of this film," Rafiq Qureshi was quoted as saying. "I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future."

The children in "Slumdog Millionaire" were chosen with the local help of casting director Loveleen Tandan. To give the film a realistic view of the Mumbai slums, she and director Danny Boyle decided only weeks before shooting began to cast local kids who were not professional actors.

Rubina and young co-star Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail were discovered on the Mumbai streets by the filmmakers. The film's adult stars, Dev Patel and Freida Pinto, shot to international stardom, becoming red-carpet regulars during Hollywood's awards season.

Patel, whose only previous credit was the British teen drama "Skins," since landed a role in the fantasy adventure "The Last Airbender" from director M. Night Shyamalan. A model, Pinto made her movie debut with "Slumdog" and has scored roles in the next films from Woody Allen and Julian Schnabel ("The Diving Bell and the Butterfly").

The younger stars got a taste of Hollywood glamor, too, attending the Academy Awards and joining the filmmakers on stage as they accepted the best-picture Oscar for "Slumdog."

Following the success of the rags-to-riches tale, some criticized the filmmakers for failing to share the wealth with Mumbai's millions of slum dwellers. Others accused them of exploiting two of the child stars, Rubina and Azharuddin, 10, who grew up in a wretched Mumbai slum.

The filmmakers' initial efforts to help their families were thwarted by media attention, the changing demands of relatives and the film's runaway success. Sudden fame and relative fortune also complicated relations between the actors and their neighbors.

The filmmakers feared that if they gave the families a lump sum, the money would be squandered or extorted. Instead, they set up a trust fund for the two children that was supposed to provide them with a good education, adequate housing and social support.

Last week they also announced a donation of $747,500 to a charity devoted to improving the lives of street children in Mumbai. Fox Searchlight didn't immediately return telephone calls Monday for comment on the allegations against Rubina's father.

taken from : China Daily

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Lady Gaga ashamed of name

Lady Gaga refuses to answer to her real name.

The 'Poker Face' singer - whose original moniker is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta - was given her stage name by her manager when she was 19 and that is the only name she will respond to.

The 23-year-old star said: "Lady Gaga was a nickname given to me by my manager and it's stuck. I started using it properly when I was 19 as I was fed up with people yelling about 800 names at my every day.

So I just told everyone call me Gaga, it makes it much easier as that way I know who everyone is talking to."

The blonde star - who is famed for her outrageous fashion sense - also revealed classical music inspired her to pursue a chart career.

The 'Just Dance' hitmaker says classical songs are very similar to the layout of pop tunes and wanted to pen hits after hearing the work of German composer Johann Sebastian Bach.

She said: "Pop music is very similar to classical music. If you listen to Bach you'll hear all his tunes go the same way as a pop record. It helped me to become a good songwriter."

taken from : China Daily

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Coco Lee promotes "Bring Your Own Bag" campaign

Hong Kong-born singer Coco Lee poses for photographers during an Earth Day promotional event titled "Bring Your Own Bag" (BYOB) in Taipei April 20, 2009. Earth Day will be celebrated on April 22.　[Agencies]

Hong Kong-born singer Coco Lee poses for photographers during an Earth Day promotional event titled "Bring Your Own Bag" (BYOB) in Taipei April 20, 2009. Earth Day will be celebrated on April 22.　[Agencies]

Hong Kong-born singer Coco Lee poses for photographers during an Earth Day promotional event titled "Bring Your Own Bag" (BYOB) in Taipei April 20, 2009. Earth Day will be celebrated on April 22.　[Agencies]

"Bring your own bag and stop using plastic bags" was the message highlighted by Chinese pop star Coco Lee on Monday prior to the annual Earth Day.

Lee, who has been invited by the National Geographic to speak for the Earth Day on April 22, promoted the idea of BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) at a press conference in Taipei.

The singer, who used to study bioscience at the University of California Irvine, says she is deeply concerned about the challenges brought to the Earth by global warming and in particular the huge daily consumption of plastic bags.

"It's time to re-think about our way of living," Lee said as she released a music video entitled "BYOB", calling on people to start saving the Earth by stopping using plastic bags.

The video will soon be available on DVDs. Proceeds from its sales will be used to finance various environmental campaigns.

taken from : China Daily

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Green Day announces summer tour

NEW YORK– Green Day has announced a slate of 38 summer dates that begins July 3 in Seattle and marks the chart-topping rock band's first full North American tour in more than three years.

The summer trek, which will support the trio's May 15 album "21st Century Breakdown" (Reprise Records), heads clockwise through Canada and the U.S. The band plays Midwest, East Coast and Southern dates before finishing up in Los Angeles on August 25. Venues will be announced at a later date.

The new album, which follows 2004's Billboard 200-topping "American Idiot," was produced by Butch Vig (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins). Green Day will celebrate the release with a previously announced show at New York's Bowery Ballroom on May 18.

taken from : China Daily

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Will Ferrell's urine refreshment

In this Thursday, July 17, 2008 file photo, Will Ferrell poses in Beverly Hills, Calif. Ferrell says it was a thrill to join adventurer Bear Grylls for an icy episode of Discovery Channel's 'Man vs. Wild.' [Agencies]

Will Ferrell drank his own urine to survive in arctic conditions.

The 'Stepbrothers' star spent 48 hours in the far north of Sweden with TV survival expert Bear Grylls, who showed the Hollywood funnyman what extremes they needed to go to in order to last in the harsh weather.

Talking about his stint in the freezing temperatures, Ferrell said: "It was the thrill of a lifetime, even though I did get urine drunk, which is sad".

During the two days - which will be documented in a special episode of Grylls' TV show 'Man vs. Wild' - Will also had to abseil down a 100-foot waterfall, sleep in a snow shelter and eat reindeer eyeballs.

Speaking of Ferrell's achievements, Grylls said: "He did an amazing job in sub-zero, very unforgiving conditions. He trusted me when it mattered and we survived. He should be very proud of how he performed."

taken from : China Daily

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heartthrob Efron turns '17 Again' into No. 1 hit with $24M

Zac Efron, star of the film '17 Again,' poses against the film's poster at the premiere of the film in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 14, 2009. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – Zac Efron has taken the box-office crown from his Disney teammate Miley Cyrus.

Efron's comedy "17 Again," in which he plays the youthful version of a middle-aged man magically transformed to high school age, debuted as the top weekend movie with $24.1 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The No. 1 opening for the Warner Bros. movie solidifies the big-screen potential for Efron, who rose to fame with Disney's "High School Musical" series.

"There's no question that Zac's a star," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros. "He's such a hardworking, talented individual. He certainly has given his all to promote this movie."

Universal had the No. 2 movie with Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck's Washington thriller "State of Play," which pulled in $14.1 million. Crowe plays a reporter investigating a series of deaths linked to an old college friend (Affleck) who's now a rising star in Congress.

Cyrus' "Hannah Montana: The Movie" slipped from first place to fourth with $12.7 million. That lifted the domestic total for Cyrus' movie spinoff of her Disney Channel show to $56.1 million after 10 days in theaters.

"Hannah Montana" finished just behind DreamWorks Animation's "Monsters vs. Aliens," which took in $12.9 million to raise its domestic haul to $162.7 million. Estimates for "Hannah Montana" and "Monsters vs. Aliens" were close enough that the movies could switch rankings when final numbers are reported Monday.

Jason Statham had a so-so opening for his action sequel "Crank: High Voltage," which came in at No. 6 with $6.5 million, $4 million less than the first weekend for the 2006 original.

The Lionsgate sequel features Statham in a race to recover his heart, which has been stolen by organ thieves and replaced with a mechanical one.

Hollywood maintained a record box-office pace with just one weekend to go before the busy summer season arrives May 1 with "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," Hugh Jackman's spinoff of the blockbuster "X-Men" franchise.

Overall revenues were at $112 million, up nearly 20 percent from the same weekend last year, according to box-office tracker Media By Numbers.

For the year, Media By Numbers is tracking receipts at $2.92 billion, 17.3 percent ahead of 2008's and well above the box-office pace of 2007, when Hollywood took in a record $9.7 billion. Accounting for higher ticket prices, movie attendance this year is up 15.6 percent compared to last year's.

The movie business is poised to top $10 billion at the box office for the first time in 2009, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media By Numbers.

"It's going to be a record year, because we've never had a start to a year this strong," Dergarabedian said. "Unless the world goes off its axis and spins into the sun, I don't see how we're not going to have a $10 billion year."

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "17 Again," $24.1 million.

2. "State of Play," $14.1 million.

3. "Monsters vs. Aliens," $12.9 million.

4. "Hannah Montana: The Movie," $12.7 million.

5. "Fast & Furious," $12.3 million.

6. "Crank: High Voltage," $6.5 million.

7. "Observe and Report," $4.1 million.

8. "Knowing," $3.5 million.

9. "I Love You, Man," $3.4 million.

10. "The Haunting in Connecticut," $3.2 million.

taken from : China Daily

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Britney Spears 'betrayed' by ex

Britney Spears feels "betrayed" by Kevin Federline.

The singer is reportedly furious with her ex-husband - with who she has two children, Sean Preston, three, and Jayden James, two - after he proposed to current girlfriend Victoria Prince because she still has feelings for him.

A source close to Britney - who is rumoured to be dating her backing dancer Chase Benz - said: "Britney's face fell when Kevin told her he had proposed. She's been flirting with her dancers and has a thing going on with Chase but she still loves Kevin and always hoped they'd get back together.

"It wouldn't surprise me if her flirting with other guys was purely to make him jealous."

Britney - who divorced Kevin in 2007 - is said to be particularly concerned with the amount of time Victoria will be spending with her sons.

The source added: "Britney's not keen on Victoria. Victoria gets on really well with Sean and Jayden and sees more of them than Britney because they live with Kevin.

"I don't think Britney saw her as a threat until Kevin proposed but now she will be stepmother to Britney's kids and that doesn't make her happy."
taken from : China Daily

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Music : Black Eyed Peas "THE E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies)"

Album Info :

Artist : Black Eyed Peas
Album : THE E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies)
Original Release Date: June 9, 2009
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Interscope
ASIN: B00192IV0O
Genre : Pop > Pop Rap, Rap & Hip-Hop
Official Site : www.blackeyedpeas.com

The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies) is the upcoming album to be released by The Black Eyed Peas. The title of the album was confirmed by will.i.am in an interview with MTV Canada, and despite it being called The E.N.D, will.i.am has also confirmed it is not their last album.


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`American Idol' concert tour starts in July

In this image released by Fox, the top ten finalists for season 8 of 'American Idol,' clockwise from top left, Michael Sarver, Scott MacIntyre, Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert, Anoop Desai, Matt Giraud, Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds, Megan Joy, and Kris Allen are shown in Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 18, 2009. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – The top 10 "American Idol" contestants know how they're spending their summer vacation: on a nationwide concert tour kicking off in July in Oregon.

Tickets for the 50-city tour will go on sale May 9, tour organizers said.

The tour is set to begin July 5 in Portland, Ore., then hopscotch to California, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania before ending in New Hampshire in September. Details are available at http://www.americanidol.com.

Finalists on the tour are Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy, Michael Sarver and Scott MacIntyre.

The Fox singing contest has pared the field down to seven contestants, with the winner to be crowned on the May 20 finale. Joy, Sarver and MacIntyre have been voted off by viewers. Giraud was spared the ax when judges used their one-time "save" and kept him on the show.
taken from : China Daily

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Banks and Mann to star in "Thinking"

Actress Elizabeth Banks poses at the premiere of the movie "I Love You, Man" at the Mann's Village theatre in Los Angeles March 17, 2009. [Agencies]

LOS ANGELES - Actresses Leslie Mann and Elizabeth Banks will explore the comic side of bad relationships in "What Was I Thinking?," a movie based on the nonfiction book of the same name.

New Line has picked up the project.

In the book, Barbara Davilman and Liz Dubelman compiled 58 bad-boyfriend stories.

Producer Lynda Obst enlisted Susanna Fogel and Joni Lefkowitz, who wrote the Sarah Jessica Parker HBO pilot "The Washingtonienne," to come up with a movie story.

The film will revolve around a woman who gets dumped during her engagement party. Her friends spring into action and whisk her away on a ski trip for healing and hedonism. Threading through their adventures on the trip are four flashbacks dealing in "worst ex-boyfriend" tales.

"It's a story of how women help each other," said Obst. "And we do that by telling stories." Obst also described the project as "a girls' Apatow movie," referring to filmmaker Judd Apatow's signature male-centric comedy style.

Mann (who happens to be married to Apatow) would play a woman who dates a lot but never seems to have serious relationships, while Banks is a woman on the rebound. Two other lead female parts have yet to be cast.

Mann co-stars in the Zac Efron-toplined "17 Again." After that, she appears in Apatow's "Funny People," as well as Robert Rodriguez's "Short" and "I Love You Phillip Morris," starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor.

Banks recently starred in the comedies "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" and "Role Models," as well as the horror movie "The Uninvited."

taken from : China Daily

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Madonna's Mercy depression

Madonna is so depressed over her adoption rejection she has stopped eating and exercising.

The singer has allegedly gone into a downward spiral since a court ruled against her adoption of four-year-old Mercy James from Malawi earlier this month, and friends are worried for her health.

A source said: "She has abandoned her strict macrobiotic diet and is virtually eating nothing. She has even stopped training since she returned from Malawi and seems to be in a trance a lot of the time."

Madonna - who is a devout follower of Kabbalah, a mystical off-shoot of Judaism - has reportedly lost 5 lbs since the adoption was stopped and has struggled to keep her emotions in check while in public.

The source added to Britain's Daily Express newspaper: "Madonna attended a Passover dinner in London held by members of her Kabbalah faith and broke down in tears about Mercy. "She looked wiped out, telling guests she felt weak from lack of sleep and exercise.

She said she felt too low to train which, for her, is unheard of." Madonna - whose ex-husband is film director Guy Ritchie - travelled to the African country in the hope of giving a home to Mercy at the end of March, but her application was rejected on the grounds she has not lived in Malawi for 18 months, as is required by law.

The 50-year-old pop star is appealing the court's decision in the hope Mercy can join her other children, Lourdes, 12, Rocco, eight, and David Banda, three - who she also adopted from Malawi.

Madonna's friends have been rallying round the star to comfort her during this difficult period, and fashion designer Stella McCartney - the daughter of former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney - has been in constant contact.

The source added: "Madonna said Stella has given her a lot of 'girly' support. "She has been telling her to eat during the two meals they've had together since Madonna returned from Malawi."
taken from : China Daily

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Jennifer Lopez's hairy house

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez has a room just for her wigs.

The singer-and-actress reportedly owns so many hairpieces she has built a 'wiggery' in her New York mansion, which she shares with her husband Marc Anthony and their 13-month-old twins Max and Emme.

A source said: "Jennifer keeps the door locked and hardly ever lets anyone in the room, not even Marc. The shelves on the walls are full of plastic heads holding the best hairpieces money can buy."

Jennifer, 39, is so obsessed with changing her hair she constantly updates her collection and is keen to try out new styles.

The source added to National Enquirer magazine: "Her actual hair is shoulder-length. Her wigs allow her to experiment with different looks and styles without having to have extensions or grown her own locks. "She has short, long and super-long looks. Her wigs are so elaborate they take on a life of their own."
taken from : China Daily

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Whoopi Goldberg's flying doctor

Whoopi Goldberg had a doctor on standby when she flew to London.

The 'Sister Act' star is so scared of getting on a plane she enlisted a medical professional to administer a sedative in case she panicked.

She told the New York Post newspaper: "I had a guy with me, but I didn't need it. I'm kind of proud. I'm going to fly to the West Coast to surprise my daughter." Whoopi was so determined to make it to London she took part in Virgin Atlantic's Flying Without Fear programme.

The one-day course uses education, practical experience and special psychological techniques to provide quick relief from the panic, anxiety and claustrophobia caused by flying. Speaking about the programme, Whoopi recently said: "I am sweating a lot.

My mind is doing bad stuff to me. I am not a good flyer. I don't like it. I don't want to do it!" Whoopi was in the English capital city in preparation for 'Sister Act' the musical, which she is helping to produce. The show opens at the London Palladium on May 7.

taken from : China Daily

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Megan Fox ready to make "Crossing"

NEW YORK – Megan Fox is making a run for the border.

The actress will play the lead role in the Screen Gems border thriller "The Crossing."

Byron Willinger and Philip de Blasi wrote the script, in which a couple returning from a Mexican vacation are carjacked and the husband kidnapped. The wife (Fox) must smuggle heroin across the border in order to spring him.

Fox has been racking up projects: She'll play an angel opposite Mickey Rourke in the indie drama "Passion Plays," will star in the Western "Jonah Hex" for Warner Bros. and will topline and produce the comic-book auctioneer "Fathom" for Fox Atomic.

She's next onscreen in this summer's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" and the Diablo Cody-penned supernatural high school tale "Jennifer's Body."

taken from : China Daily

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Paris Hilton up for Webby

Paris Hilton's presidential campaign has been nominated for an award.

The socialite's spoof 'Paris For President' internet videos - made in response to an advert referring to the blonde star in Senator John McCain's campaign - is up for a Webby Award, which recognises excellence on the internet.

Paris' clip, produced for FunnyOrDie.com, is nominated for Best Comedy: Individual Short.

Other nominees include Jack Black, Rashida Jones and Neil Patrick Harris for 'Prop 8: The Musical' - which is also up for Best Writing - and Rob Corddry's 'Children's Hospital' starring Megan Mullally.

Voting is open to anyone at http://pv.webbyawards.com until April 30, and the winners will be announced on May 5.

The online edition of the New York Times newspaper leads the nominations, with nods in 13 categories.

The winners of the 13th annual Webby Awards will be honoured at a gala in New York on June 8, hosted by 'Saturday Night Live' star Seth Myers.
taken from : China Daily

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Vanessa Hudgens obsessed with Angelina

Actress Vanessa Hudgens poses at the premiere of the movie "Watchmen" at Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California March 2, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. March 6.[Agencies]

Vanessa Hudgens is "in love" with Angelina Jolie.

The actress - who is dating her 'High School Musical' co-star Zac Efron - is obsessed with the 'Wanted' star and dreams of following in her footsteps.

She told Self magazine: "I'm in love with Angelina Jolie. Everything she does, I adore.

"I'd like to do an action film where I could kick someone's a*s. I want to be strong and empowered. I want to shock everybody."

The petite actress believes she has the physical attributes needed to take on the gruelling demands of action stunts and has the ability to "climb anything".

She said: "I have really strong legs. I inherited them from my dad, who has tree stumps for legs, basically. I've got big calves that look good. When I wear heels, it looks like I've worked out my legs a lot, which is why I love them. I also have a big, big big toe. I call it my goat toe. I can climb anything."

taken from : China Daily

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Angelina Jolie voted most beautiful woman

Angelina Jolie, best actress nominee for "Changeling," arrives at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood, California February 22, 2009. [Agencies]

Angelina Jolie has been voted the most beautiful woman in the world.

The 'Changeling' star won 58 per cent of the votes in an online poll conducted by Vanity Fair magazine.

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen - who wed American football star Tom Brady in February - came a distant second with only nine per cent.

Four per cent of respondents chose 'Gothika' star Halle Berry, handing her third place.

The survey asked women to choose the most attractive lady from a list of 19 famous women, including singer Beyonce Knowles, actress Gwyneth Paltrow, model Bar Refaeli, Queen Rania of Jordan and Carla Bruni - the wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

On its' website, Vanity Fair said: "Of the billions of women on this planet, only 19, we believe, could start wars.

"These modern-day Helens of Troy come from both hemispheres and include legends and ingenues, a queen, a First Lady and at least two bedmates of Leonardo DiCaprio."

DiCaprio previously dated Gisele and is currently in a relationship with Israeli supermodel Bar.

It's not the first time Angelina - who raises six children with her long-term partner Brad Pitt - has won a title of this kind.

Last month, she topped a list of the world's most beautiful people compiled by Australian magazine Who.

Kate Winslet came second in the antipodean survey.

Who is the World's Most Beautiful Woman? Conducted by Vanity Fair:

1) Angelina Jolie 58 per cent

2) Gisele Bundchen 9 per cent

3) Halle Berry 4 per cent

4) Penelope Cruz 3 per cent

4) Scarlett Johansson 3 per cent

4) Jennifer Connelly 3 per cent

4) Queen Rania of Jordan 3 per cent

4) Bar Refaeli 3 per cent

5) Catherine Deneuve 2 per cent

5) Freida Pinto 2 per cent

5) Natalia Vodianova 2 per cent

5) Ziyi Zhang 2 per cent

5) Beyonce Knowles 2 per cent

5) Cate Blanchett 2 per cent

6) Elle MacPherson 1 per cent

6) Kate Moss 1 per cent

6) Gwyneth Paltrow 1 per cent

6) Kerry Washington 1 per cent

6) Carla Bruni 1 per cent

taken from : China Daily

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`Harry Potter' sweeps into theaters 2 days early

In this image released by Warner Bros., Emma Watson, center, Daniel Radcliffe, right, and Rupert Grint are shown in a scene from 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.'[Agencies]

LOS ANGELES – Harry Potter and his school chums are heading back to class a little sooner than expected.

Warner Bros. distribution boss Dan Fellman says "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" now is opening Wednesday, July 15, two days earlier than its previous release date.

That gives the movie a head-start on the weekend during what's shaping up as a highly competitive summer season for Hollywood.

It's the second date change for the sixth installment in the adventures of the boy wizard. "Half-Blood Prince" had been scheduled for release last fall until the studio bumped it to this July to take advantage of an open weekend in Hollywood's busy summer season.

taken from : China Daily

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