January 19, 2006

Tying tight with "Syriana" for the University of Southern California's 18th annual Scripter Award, which honors the year's best film adaptation of a book, novella or short story, "Capote" finally comes up as the winner.

The drama movie, based on a book written by Gerald Clarke which stayed on the New York Times best-seller list for 13 weeks, beat off the other finalists, including "Brokeback Mountain", "The Constant Gardener", and "A History of Violence."

Grammy Award-winning singer Aretha Franklin has been tapped to perform the US national anthem at next month's Super Bowl. The star will join New Orleans singer Aaron Neville and both are about to be accompanied at the national football championship by another veteran New Orleans musician, pianist Dr. John.

Commenting on the threesome collaboration, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said "The combination of all three should present a very memorable performance." Other stars set to join the already mentioned lineup among others are John Legend, Joss Stone, and Stevie Wonder, all of whom will perform the later singer's hits as part of the Super Bowl pre-game show, which will be broadcast live on ABC.

Oscar-winning actress Holly Hunter has doubled her joy as she's given birth to twins, publicist Nicole Caruso told People magazine on Wednesday Jan 18th.

"She had the babies," said Caruso. "They are happy and healthy." The newly born babies reportedly are the first for Hunter and her British actor husband Gordon MacDonald.

Intended to repeat the success of "Hoodwinked," the Weinstein Company and Kanbar Entertainment are teaming on its sequel. The highly anticipated animation comedy will be titled "Hood vs. Evil."

As of its story, "Hood vs. Evil" will find a teen Red training in a distant land with a mysterious, covert group called Sisters of the Hood. She is then called upon by Nicky Flippers -- head of the Happily Ever After Agency -- who teams her with the Wolf to investigate the disappearance of Hansel and Gretel. The character of Granny, and the rest of the "Hoodwinked" gang, also return and are joined by new characters.

Mandate Pictures is said to have acquired the film rights to comic book series "The Ghouly Boys."

The story of the adventure drama film is based on four sweet, young monsters -- a wolf boy, a kid zombie, a young sea monster and a third-generation boogie man -- who have a hard time fitting in with the "normal" human kids. When they find each other, they set out, accompanied by their loyal, flight-challenged pet bat, on an adventure of their own.

Gaining more popularity and public notice through her 1976 flick "King Kong," actress Jessica Lange will next star in CBS' remake of "Sybil." Based on Flora Rheta Schreiber's best-selling book of the same name, "Sybil" describes the real-life treatment from 1954-65 of a young woman who suffered from multiple personality disorder.

Team up with Tammy Blanchard, the twosome is about to portray the roles made famous by Joanne Woodward and Sally Field in NBC's 1976 adaptation. As of Blanchard, she's set to play the title character who's after a suicide attempt is introduced to psychiatrist Dr. Corneila Wilbur played by Lange. During their sessions, Sybil, who confides that she frequently loses her memory and can't account for large blocks of time, slowly remembers the physical, emotional and sexual abuse to which she was subjected as a child by her mentally disturbed mother.

"It's not over, we're not divorced. We've been together for over 13 years and there's a lot of love there...We're still married." Hollywood actress Hilary Swank said during the Monday night ceremony of the 63rd Annual Golden Globes.

Swank and husband Chad Lowe have a week ago announced their separation. But now, the couple seemingly is trying to reconcile, saving their 8-year marriage. The Oscar-winning actress even was spotted wearing her wedding ring to the awards ceremony.

In the week ended January 15th, the US album charts saw the return of R&B singer Mary J. Blige to its top position with her set "The Breakthrough" sold another 118,000 copies. And after sitting on the throne for two weeks, Jamie Foxx's "Unpredictable" slipped to No. 2 with 103,000 copies.

"American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood's "Some Hearts" rose two places to No. 3 with 77,000 copies, whereas Eminem's "Curtain Call: The Hits" fell one to No. 4 with 76,000 copies. Seated at the 5th rank was the Notorious B.I.G.'s posthumous "Duets: The Final Chapter" which was sold another 52,000 copies.

The 14-years marriage of notable singer Whitney Houston and husband Bobby Brown is said on rocks, which then triggered further rumors claiming they're heading for divorce. Per the New York Daily News, Brown was overheard telling friends and acquaintances he is divorcing Houston after an infamously tumultuous marriage.

Tracing back what triggered the divorce report was probably Brown's being seen flirting with a group of beauties backstage at an all-star concert featuring R&B groups SWV, Guy and Blackstreet at the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

New Line Cinema reportedly has bought "None of Her Business" from screenwriters Cindy and Donald Hewitt for Mosaic Media Group to produce. That being so, Mosaic's Charles Roven and Alex Gartner have been set to produce the flick.

"None of Her Business" is considered as drama comedy which story revolves around a corporate executive who's fired but gets her job back after she disguises herself as a man. The workplace romp turns gender office politics upside down.

The Hollywood Reporter mentioned John Singleton has signed on to adapt and direct "Without Remorse" for Paramount Pictures. The Tom Clancy espionage thriller will have Michael Ovitz in hand to serve as producer.

An action, thriller genre, "Without Remorse" centers on former Navy SEAL and CIA operative John Kelly, code-named Mr. Clark, who first appeared in Clear and Present Danger. Set to play the role is Willem Dafoe.