August 23, 2006

Finally "Jindabyne" can cross the ocean. The Australian film feature has been picked up by Sony Pictures Classic to be distributed all over North American region. In doing so, Sony has already planned a spring 2007 release for the film, originally the production of April Films.

Based on the late Raymond Carver's short story entitled "So Much Water So Close to Home", "Jindabyne" is an Australian box office hit which follows a group of friends who find an Aboriginal girl's body to then face the consequences with their wives and the community as details of the incident begin to spread. The film's direction was entrusted into Ray Lawrence's hands with Laura Linney and Gabriel Byrne being included in the cast.

Barely adding Mena Suvari and Jon Foster to its cast, "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh" has quickly come up with another big name. The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that the "48 Hrs." star Nick Nolte is the latest actor to join in the project.

With this inclusion, Nolte then will play the mobster father of Art Bechstein, played by Foster. The film's story itself will center on Bechstein as he meets a charismatic couple who later draw him into a series of adventures that ultimately bring him to confront his father.

The fact that Brandon Routh has been engaged must be very shocking for his female fanatics. It is what it is anyway.

The star, best known for his action as superhero Superman, is engaged to his girlfriend, actress Courtney Ford, the actor's representative, Kacey Spies, tells People exclusively. "They are very happy," says Spies.

One more graphic-novel adaptation is on the way to come to the surface under Rogue Pictures' banner. The company has just revealed its intention to develop "Lost Squad" following its success in purchasing the feature rights to Chris Kirby's comic book series of the same title.

In bringing out the project, Rogue has assigned Adrian Askarieh and Daniel Alter to produce. Josh Blaylock of Devil's Due, the company which first published the series last fall, is set to co-produce. As for the premise, pic is likely to follow the story of the original version that tells about the adventures of a group of Allied soldiers who fight Hitler's occult agents and other supernatural threats during World War II.

Beck is needing help. The musician wants you to help him designs the album cover for his upcoming album, "The Information".

Has decided to distribute the new set with a blank CD cover and some stickers, Beck challenges fans to design the cover to their liking. Fans must submit their artwork and hope that their design will be picked by Beck.

Rock band The Killers have announced a three-week tour of North America as an attempt to support their sophomore album, "Sam's Town".

Detailing on the tour dates, it will be kicked off October 6th in Los Angeles, just three days after they release the set. The trek will, moreover, include stops in Vancouver and Toronto.

Stars keep coming down to bring more highlights to Adam Sandler's new vehicle of "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry." After Jessica Biel, it's Steve Buscemi and Dan Aykroyd's turn to give nods of their inclusion in the flick's cast. Both versatile actors with long-list acting resume, Buscemi is billed as a city official who keeps a close eye on the titular characters while Aykroyd as the captain of the fire department where those two guys work at.

A Universal Pictures production, "Chuck and Larry" centers on two heterosexual firemen, played by Sandler and Kevin James, who pretends to be a gay married couple in order to qualify for their department's domestic-partner benefits. Dennis Duigan is attached to direct based on script written by Alexander Payne and James Taylor. Seating as producers are Tom Shadyac, Michael Bostick, plus Jack Giarraputo.

Music band Good Charlotte does finish working on their fourth album and have set it for a 2007 release via Epic/Daylight. The forthcoming album, however, has yet-to-be-named.

Nevertheless, Good Charlotte has announced fall tour dates in support of their forthcoming set. The trek is said to be kicked off September 27th at the Fillmore in San Francisco and wraps on October 22nd with a gig at Sonar in Baltimore.

Three more big titles are coming down to join the burgeoning list of films featured at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. The organizers have announced Tuesday, August 22 that "Breaking and Entering", "A Good Year", and "Infamous" have delightfully been included in the lineup, making up a total number of 352 features, either in long or short form, presented at the event.

This inclusion therefore adds the long list of major Hollywood films that previously have been confirmed to join the festival, like "The Fountain", "Stranger Than Fiction", also "Rescue Dawn" among others. The event itself is slated to open on September 7 and features cinematic works from 61 countries while making 107 world premieres before closes on September 16 with the screening of Michael Apted's "Amazing Grace."

Brittany Murphy is single again. The actress and her film technician fiance Joe Macaluso ended their engagement.

"Brittany Murphy and Joe Macaluso have amicably ended their engagement," a rep for the actress tells People. "They remain close friends and wish each other much happiness."

British glam-rock act The Darkness has denied rumors claiming they have been dropped by its label, but on the other way around admitted that singer Justin Hawkins has entered rehab to address "substance abuse issues". Following the rehab, the band was forced to cancel an appearance at the Skanderborg Festival in Denmark with the excuse that "Justin's health must come first."

Explaining on both issues, the band posted a message on its web site Wednesday August 16th, saying "As everybody found out today, Justin has been admitted to a rehabilitation clinic. We would however like to make it clear that this emphatically does not signal the end for The Darkness, nor are their label Atlantic Records considering 'dropping' them. On the contrary, they have taken up their option with the band and are looking forward to releasing the Darkness' third album in early 2007."

Making an important leap in her acting career, Bollywood star Sushmita Sen is slated to play a role in a Hollywood film feature entitled "The Expat", The Mumbai Mirror has revealed on Tuesday, August 22.

In this film, Sen will appear as an Indian immigrant opposite Richard Gere under the direction of U.S.-based filmmaker Sutapa Ghosh. There is no word yet about the starting date of the project, but it has been confirmed that shooting will take place in Argentina.

British band Keane has been forced to cancel a planned US tour as frontman Tom Chaplin goes into rehab for drugs and alcohol treatment.

"I've been having to deal with an increasing problem with drink and drugs, and the time has come to get the professional help I need to sort myself out," Chaplin said on the band's Web site (www.keanemusic.com) on Tuesday August 22nd. "I feel desperately disappointed to be letting down our fans, but I want to get myself right now so that I can be back on the road for the rest of the year."

It is what it is. Rap mogul P. Diddy and his longtime girlfriend, model Kim Porter, come out with a confirmation on their expecting their second child together.

Diddy, through his representative Keesha Johnson, confirms to People exclusively, saying Sean 'Diddy' Combs and longtime girlfriend, model Kim Porter, are "happy to confirm that they are expecting their second child together". And "The couple is thrilled about the news", the rep continues.

Taking new direction in show business, "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are set to make two live-action movies at Paramount.

The projects, entitled "My All-American" and "Giant Monsters Attack Japan!", both will be produced by the duo who are also attached to work on the scripts with the writers. In the meantime, Parker will carry out directing work for both of the movies.

Finally finding the right filmmaker to helm its new action drama feature, Paramount Pictures has picked up "One Last Dance" director Max Makowski to carry out the task, Variety has reported.

In working out the untitled project, Makowski thus will direct based on script written by Dave Callaham with Lorenzo di Bonaventura seating as the producer. There is no word yet about the film's cast, but it has been revealed that the story will revolve about a group of people who join forces to avenge the death of their murdered mob boss.