June 30, 2006

As stars have lined-up to have good time in "The Hunting Party (aka Spring Break in Bosnia)", the picture has officially added Jesse Eisenberg from "The Squid and the Whale" fame to its high-profile list, The Hollywood Reporter has reported. A native of New York, Eisenberg thus is the latest actor to join the cast after Richard Gere and Terrence Howard and so will come together with them under the direction of Richard Shepard, who also pens the script.

Made for The Weinstein Company, the flick centers on the story of a young journalist, a seasoned cameraman, and a discredited journalist who embark together on a mission to find the most sought war criminal on Bosnia to later be mistakenly identified as a CIA hit squad which leads their target to come after them.

An urban and Spanish-language distributor named Xenon Pictures has secured the North American distribution rights to "Hood of Horror", so Variety has reported. Following this, the company thus sets eyes to bring up the flick theatrically by fall before progressing with its DVD release in the spring.

Developed from a screenplay written by Jonathan McHugh, Tim Sullivan, Chris Kobin and Jacob Hair, "Hood" features ensemble cast of Snoop Dogg, Ernie Hudson, Danny Trejo, Method Man, Jason Alexander, Anson Mount, Daniella Alonso, also Brande Roderick under direction of Stacy Title who has been known for her work in "The Last Supper" (1995).

Celebrity couple, Jessica Biel and Chris Evans, breaks up. The two have been dating for about two years before decided to go separate ways.

In the accompanying feature with the break-up reports, Evans has recently been spotted out in New York City with brunette public relations executive Joyce Sevilla, a source tells the US edition of OK! magazine.

That Justin Timberlake is reported break from girlfriend Cameron Diaz, that's not true. "There was no break-up", the pop singer's manager Johnny Wright has hit back at the claim.

As a known fact, it was reported last week that Timberlake had dumped Diaz so he could "sow his wild oats" on his upcoming world tour.

Outsider Pictures really knows how to spoil moviegoers. A new player in film distribution business established by ex-studio marketing and distribution execs Paul Hudson and Peter Peterson, the company has just unveiled its initial line-up of theatrical releases which includes high-profile features of "Three Dollars", and "These Foolish Things", and "Through the Eyes of Another."

"Three Dollars", directed by Robert Connolly, puts the highlight on its three stars, David Wenham, Frances O'Connor, also Sarah Wynter and takes focus on the story of a decent man in an indecent world. Meanwhile, "Jimmy and Judy", a hellish Romeo-and-Juliet romance flick slated for a mid-September release, features Edward Furlong, Rachael Bella, and William Sadler on the cast with Randall Rubin and Jon Schroder as writer and director.

The newlyweds, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, seem to enjoy their honeymoon so much.

The just-pronounced husband-and-wife were spotted enjoying a little motion in the ocean during their honeymoon at their French Polynesia resort.

Looking upon the success of "Pirates of the Caribbean", the movie director decided that it, though, as yet enough. Thus, having such realization Gore Verbinski then lends his hand at singing.

And with the help of Johnny Depp and Hal Willner, the threesome then join forces with Anti Records to create "Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs & Chanteys," a two-disk CD with more songs about the sea and pirates.

Wanting to repeat the success of Lord of the Rings trilogy, New Line Cinema now takes full attention to bring up "The Golden Compass" to the big screen. The film company has announced on Thursday, June 29 its intention to start the filming production of the picture on September 4 in U.K. with estimated budget around $150 million.

Produced by Andrew Miano and Bill Carraro, "Golden Compass" sure is one ambitious project of New Line, consisting an all-star production team, mostly Oscar-nominated, which includes Dennis Gassner in production design, Ruth Myers in costume, and Mike Fink in visual effects. Meanwhile, directing task is entrusted to the hand of "About a Boy" director, Paul Weist, with newcomer Dakota Blue Richards billed to play the lead character, Lyra Belacqua.

Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage is following the footstep of his many other celebrity pals who have made donation a trend among Hollywood public figures. The star is reported to have donated $2 million to Amnesty International, such amount will be used to help fund rehabilitation shelters, medical services and psychological and reintegration services for an estimated 300,000 former child soldiers.

"I understand that this pledge is not a solution for the problem," Cage said when he announced the contribution by video. "It's my hopeful wish that today's discussions on this tragic subject at the United Nations conference may bring us closer to eradicating the nightmare of child soldiers", he continued.

The highly anticipated "Superman Returns" glides more than well on its first flight on theatres. Successfully garnered $21.04 million by Wednesday, June 28, the movie has become the 8th biggest opening for a Wednesday behind last year's "War of the Worlds", beating DC fellow superhero's flick "Batman Begins" which took number 13 on the list with $15.1 million.

Debuting in 3,915 theaters, "Superman Returns" will be expanded to 4,604 theatres on Friday, June 30 and so will be the fourth-widest release ever. Expected to draw more cash up to its seventh-day screening, the picture is seen to have bigger chance to surpass "War" as next Tuesday is the Fourth of July, during which the number of people coming to theatres are assumed to experience significant boost.

Give the actor two thumbs up. Will Ferrell deserves more than that somehow for he's been tapped to pose for the cover of Stuff magazine for its August issue, thus becoming the first man ever to grace the cover of the publication.

In somewhat a more sensational issue, the hunk joins Leslie Bibb his co-star in the upcoming Nascar spoof, "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby", for the exceptional edition.

Listen to this good news, Lil' Kim is about to be released from prison early. This obviously is one good news many of the rapper's fans have been waiting for.

Kim, who has been serving a 366-day prison sentence for federal perjury since September 19, will be released nearly three months early on Monday July 3rd due to good behavior.

Looks like the darkness in "Blackout" turns brighter now with the coming of some stars to illuminate the way. Jeffrey Wright and Zoe Saldana along with Melvin Van Peebles, Latanya Richardson, Anthony Chisholm, Saul Rubinek, Jamie Hector, plus Sean Blakemore have all given their nods to fill the roles in the project, so BlackFilm.com reports.

Aiming to begin filming production this month in Brooklyn, New York, the picture, which will be directed by Jerry LaMothe, takes its focus on tracking the chain of events that unfolds in a neglected Brooklyn neighborhood during the 2003 blackout. Also a screenwriter, LaMothe has been known for his directorial works in "Amour Infinity" (2003) and "Nora's Hair Salon" (2004).

The coming back of pop diva Christina Aguilera into the music biz does success. The singer hit hard the music scene with her new chart-topping single "Ain't No Other Man".

As she's about to regain her status and popularity, fans of the self-called Xtina, are wondering when they'll get their money back for tickets they bought for her concerts in 2003 and 2004 that she canceled, claiming strained vocal chords as the main cause.

Richard Kelly probably can relax a bit now as his precious upcoming work, "Southland Tales", has been securely kept in the hands of Sony Pictures to be distributed domestically either for theatrical or home entertainment. The giant film company has just confirmed that it will release the feature under its wings though it is still not clear through which Sony label the movie is set to show up theatrically.

An ensemble piece taking place in the futuristic landscape of Los Angeles around year 2008, "Southland Tales" stars Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Sarah Michelle Gellar, plus Seann William Scott and revolves around the intertwined relationship among the three actors' characters. To Gellar, the picture will mark her comeback to big screen industry since "The Grudge" which saw her playing the lead back in 2004.

After such hard work, not to mention the investigation after investigation they've done, police and the FBI finally found the stolen photos of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

Police in California has on Tuesday night June 27th, 2006 raided a home in Westfield, Massachusetts, belongs to camera shop employee Bill Keyes and seized photos of the couple's Namibian baby shower that had been stolen from a digital memory card.

When many famous celebrities are busy tattooing their body that later on becomes their trademark, Cindy Crawford has hers removed. The world supermodel has had three moles removed in a bid to avoid skin cancer after tanning herself in the blazing sun for years.

Crawford, who is a spokeswoman for skin cancer awareness, reminds us all to get checked regularly and that the smaller skin blemishes are the most at-risk. She said, "The mole on my face isn't the type that's dangerous, but I have others and I get myself checked every year. I had three removed - two on my back and one on my belly that looked like a collection of almost flat, tiny spots."

Hot news, Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson are close to divorce settlement. According to a report from TMZ it is said that the former "Newlyweds" stars are inching closer to settling up and finalizing their divorce.

The legal documents, signed by both Simpson and Lachey and filed in L.A. County Superior Court, show that besides asking for a retired judge to be appointed specifically to enter a divorce decree, the pair also are asking to "bifurcate" the divorce case, meaning the divorce can become final and the parties can then deal with the messy financial matters separately.

"X-Men" fans probably could now draw a relief breath as Twentieth Century Fox still preserves its intention to bring up the film franchise's spin-off of "Wolverine." A studio spokesman pointed out on Wednesday, June 28 that the movie is in development with a working script though the company has not yet found an appropriate director to helm the project.

To support the film progress, Hugh Jackman as the actor who portrays the Adamantium-clawed mutant has delightfully made an appearance in a videotape touting the project for conventioneers at Cine Expo in Amsterdam earlier this week. However, it seems that moviegoers would have to wait long enough for the cinematic release since Fox was still unsure that the picture would be ready before 2008 since Jackman is slated to be involved in Baz Luhrmann's project first.

Taking one step further in his effort to develop a biopic of counterculture icon Timothy Leary, Leonardo DiCaprio has earned positive sign from Obie-winning playwright Craig Lucas and Timothy Leary archivist Michael Horowitz to be involved in the project which has been DiCaprio's dream for several years.

Eyeing the feature as a possible starring vehicle, the popular actor in fact has come to Leary's acquaintance before his death in 1996 and has since aimed to work on his idea on transforming the famed LSD advocate's life to film feature.

It's such a rare treat indeed to see two prominent character actors sharing a screen together and that's what Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman are about to present to the moviegoers for sure through "The Bucket List."

"The Bucket List" will put its center around the two terminally ill men who develop a wish list they try to fulfill after running away from their treatment in a cancer ward. Heading off together on a road trip, they thus set to follow what they have written on the list which includes hilarious things like racing cars, eating giant plates of caviar and slinging poker chips in Monte Carlo.

After going through a long development, "Untitled Hunter Scott Project" finally found the proper writer to pen its screenplay. Variety has reported that Robert Nelson Jacobs has been assigned the job by Universal Pictures, the film company that handles the feature.

Going through various rewrites in the past, the project has floated around the studio since 1998 under several considered titles which included "U.S.S. Indianapolis" and "The Good Sailor" with J.J Abrams being considered as its director. Though so, it's still not clear whether the project will be his subsequent picture.