August 31, 2006

Making another good step, Independent distributor THINKFilm has successfully picked up all North American distribution rights to "The TV Set", one of the most talked-about films at this year's Tribeca Film Festival, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed.

A directorial work of Jake Kasdan who also penned the script, the movie is a dark comedy centering on the story of an idealistic writer who has to watch his dream TV project slowly getting dismantled by a barrage of industry executives. Set to be released by next spring, it features star-studded cast which includes David Duchovny, Sigourney Weaver, Ioan Gruffudd, Justine Bateman, and Judy Greer.

American television personality, who also was Miss Teen USA 1998, Vanessa Minnillo has been chosen to top the poll on Sexiest Stars in America, conducted by In Touch magazine.

The beauty, surprisingly, beats the likes of Beyonce Knowles and Jessica Alba who both have made the list for several times.

A new project is set to bloom under Intrepid Pictures. The company has acquired spec script "Mercy" from writers Carolyn Townsend and Eddie Hartman to develop it into a big screen feature.

While there's no word yet about either the helmer or cast members, it has been revealed that Chris Emerson will take seat as executive producer through his E-Squared production company. As for the story, pic will revolve around a college student who attempts to debunk the urban legend of the Mercy Killer only to find out that he is all too real and has selected her as his next victim.

Grammy winning singer Pink has been slated to become one of the performers to take the stage at the National Football League, takes place Sept. 10 later this year.

On her choosing as one of the event's performers, Sunday Night Football producer Fred Gaudelli said, "We chose Pink as the signature voice because she is a tremendous talent with a crossover appeal that makes her relevant to all segments of our audience".

"Amazing Grace" finally can make its way to U.S theaters. The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Independent distributors Samuel Goldwyn Films and Roadside Attractions have secured the U.S distribution rights to this slave trade-drama of Michael Apted's direction. Both companies are set to release the film on February 23 next year to mark the 200th anniversary of the British parliament's vote to abolish the slave trade.

A production of Bristol Bay Prods., "Grace" tells about the real story of William Wilberforce in his effort to end slavery at the turn of the 19th century with the help of his wife and slave trader-turned-abolitionist Rev. John Newton. Cast includes Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Rufus Sewell, Ciaran Hinds, and Michael Gambon. Steven Knight has been tapped to pen the script with Patricia Heaton and Terrence Malick seating as producers.

It was first Britney Spears, and now it's Kevin Federline's turn to sign deal with Sony for the sake of his music career.

The husband of the pop superstar reportedly has inked deal with the music label to release his upcoming debut album, "Playing with Fire."

This summer really belongs to Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." Fantastically collecting $407.5 million on domestic box office up to Sunday, August 27, the company's seafaring sequel has come out as the top moneymaker of this beach season according to stats released Tuesday, August 29 by the box-office tracking firm Exhibitor Relations.

Though it still has one more weekend to go at the summer box office, the flick's position on the first spot of the list will remain unshakable for it has scored far beyond the sum garnered by Disney/Pixar's "Cars" which firmly takes the second rank with a $240.6 million gross. Rounding up the top three is the third installment of X-Men franchise, "X-Men: The Last Stand" following its success in garnering $234.2 million to its pocket.

Following the footstep of fellow famous figure Eminem, who has just signed deal with Nike to design a range of trainers, Jennifer Aniston also is on the verge of signing a deal with the sportswear giant.

It is said that a major NYC-based ad agency has formed a team last month to work on Nike's Fall/Winter 2006 campaign. And while Aniston has not yet confirmed, the ad agency is still looking to book a slot for a Super Bowl commercial and run with an international ad campaign.

The US album charts for the week ended Sunday August 27th saw the prominence of the MTV-constructed band, Danity Kane, as the music act topped the top spot with their album "Danity Kane" sold 234,000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan. In the meantime, OutKast's "Idlewild" opened at No. 2 with the LaFace release sold 196,000 units.

With the emerge of the new chart-toppers, reigning champ Christina Aguilera's RCA album "Back to Basics" fell to the 3rd spot with 135,000, ahead of Mexican rock group Mana's "Amar Es Combatir" at No. 4 sold 87,000 copies. With such attainment, the Mexican rock group indeed scored the highest charting and biggest debut for a Spanish-language album for a duo or group on The Billboard 200.

Report on Ashlee Simpson has signed on to play murderous vixen Roxie Hart in the London run of the musical "Chicago" at last ended weeks of speculation on that matter.

A publicist for the young singer even confirms that Ashlee has begun rehearsals for her role this week.

A sepia-tinted throwback to 1940s Hollywood, "The Black Dahlia" finally encountered its world premiere as it opened the 63rd Venice International Film Festival yesterday, August 30, 2006. One of the contenders for the Golden Lion, the movie thus became the first U.S film feature to be screened at this year's event, preceding its fellow Hollywood competitors consisting of "The Fountain", "Hollywoodland", and "Bobby."

Stars of the picture also came down to the festival during the opening; among them were Scarlett Johansson, Mia Kirshner, Josh Hartnett, and Aaron Eckhart. Others included director Cameron Crowe who's sitting on the jury and Oliver Stone whose "World Trade Center" is being screened out of competition.

Numbers of musicians were included in the nominations list of the 40th annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards announced Wednesday August 30th. But among the many nominees, country crooner Brooks & Dunn and Brad Paisley emerged as the leaders with six nominations each.

As for Brooks & Dunn, the duo was up for the category of Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Duo of the Year, Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year both for "Believe", Album of the Year for "Hillbilly Deluxe", and Musical Event of the Year as well. Meanwhile, Brad Paisley was nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year for "When I Get Where I'm Going", Album of the Year for "Time Well Wasted", Music Video of the Year and Musical Event of the Year both for "When I Get Where I'm Going".

American performing right organization BMI has bestowed honors to some household names in music like Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Babyface, and L.A. Reid at its 6th annual Urban Awards held on August 30, 2006 in New York City.

Carey, taking the honor for the third time, received the title Songwriter of the Year for placing three of her hit songs from her latest album "The Emancipation of Mimi", namely "Don't Forget About Us," "Shake It Off" and "We Belong Together" on the most-performed list. The latter composition even was named Song of the Year, making the diva altogether obtain two prizes at the gala event.

Two-time Oscar winning actress Hilary Swank has reportedly found new love again with top Hollywood agent John Campisi shortly after she announced her separation from husband Chad Lowe in January and their divorce in May earlier this year.

Aside from denial after denial, National Enquirer reported that Campisi, Swank's agent at the powerhouse Creative Artists Agency, has been romantically involved with the star since shortly after she split from Lowe. The tabloid, moreover, also provides photos of the twosome in Rome, where they stayed at the ritzy Hotel de Russie and were spotted smooching.

Despite the fact that Nicole Kidman being reported pregnant with her first child ever with her singer husband Keith Urban, there were speculation on the Aussie actress' photos being manipulated by photo agencies to make her look pregnant.

Such suggestion was first made by Kidman's representative, Catherine Olim, after a magazine paid $20,000 for a picture of the star showing a bit of a belly. It is said that a publication called New Deal paid for the pictures and the deal comes a year after it was incorrectly reported that Kidman was preggers by Urban.

Paris Hilton should feel proud that Mayor of Las Vegas has proclaimed August 29, 2006 as Paris Hilton Day. And celebrating the big day, the socialite was given the key to the city before then was introduced in front of a packed crowd at a Vegas block party by comedian Jeff Beacher.

Commented on the honor, Paris proclaimed her love for Vegas saying it's her "favorite place in the world to come to party."