December 11, 2006

Sets to make his dream come true, Sam Raimi is on board to produce "The Shadow", an adaptation of the legendary 1930s pulp hero who has the power to cloud men's minds, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

"I've been a passionate Shadow fan ever since I was a kid and have long dreamed of bringing this character to the screen," the famed filmmaker commented as he expressed his excitement upon developing the project.

Brushing aside previous report informing filming on "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" will take place in New Zealand, Disney and Walden Media have been confirmed to prepare shooting the movie at Pinewood Studios in the U.K instead.

President of Walt Disney International Andy Bird revealed to an audience of television executives on Thursday, December 7 that production on the film will still be carried in February though with post-production being conducted also in the country.

Putting priority to develop its new drama project of "Since Walker Left", Focus Features has appointed Jessica Goldberg to work on the screenplay of the picture, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed.

A remake of the 2003 French film "Since Otar Left", the flick revolves around a mother and daughter whose joy comes from the letters sent regularly to them from the family's adored son, Walker. However, their lives begin to change course as the daughter tries to conceal the truth from her mother upon learning that Walker has suddenly died.

Honoring both big and small screen features, American Film Institute announced on Monday, December 10, its official selections of its AFI Awards 2006, picking up ten most outstanding motion pictures and TV programs to be given the prizes as it holds the event on January 12, 2007 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

For best films, the independent non-profit organization, created by the National Endowment for the Arts, cast its choice on movies of various genre listed in alphabetical order consisting of "Babel", "Borat", "The Devil Wears Prada", "Dreamgirls", "Half Nelson", "Happy Feet", "Inside Man", "Letters from Iwo Jima", "Little Miss Sunshine" and "United 93."

Nicolas Cage wants to take a break from acting after starred in more than 55 films. The actor and former Oscar winner plans to cut back on acting to pursue other interests, one of which is helping develop independent cinema in his new home of the Bahamas.

"I'm thinking about taking more time in between movies," Cage said. "I feel I've made a lot of movies already and I want to start exploring other opportunities that I can apply myself to, whether it's writing or other interests that I may develop."

Turns out New York Film Critics Online is not the only one that gave honors to members of the film industry on Sunday, December 10 as the Los Angeles Film Critics Association also announced on the same day those worthy to receive its LAFCA Awards, which will be held on January 14, 2007.

Seemingly had the same taste with the National Board of Review, the organization delightfully picked "Letters from Iwo Jima" as the Best Picture along with "An Inconvenient Truth" as Best Documentary and Helen Mirren of "The Queen" as Best Actress. Forest Whitaker was named Best Actor, too for his portrayal in "The Last King of Scotland", only this time he had to share the honor with "Borat" star Sacha Baron Cohen.

The time has come for Prince to show off his talent. The funk rock veteran has been booked to perform during the halftime show at the Super Bowl on February 4th next year.

Prince, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee who rose to fame through such tunes as "Little Red Corvette" and "Let's Go Crazy," will perform at Dolphin Stadium near Miami.

Posh Spice, Victoria Adams, wants her part. The former Spice Girl reportedly threatened to sue fashion house Rock & Republic, which produced her own brand jeans, for $98 million (£50 million). Not without reason, but Vic filed the suit because she believes the jeans she designed for the label were more profitable than she previously thought.

Victoria signed with the trendy label in September 2004 in a deal which included a share of the profits made from her own-brand jeans. She reportedly has received $980,000 (£500,000) from the fashion house but parted ways with the label earlier this year.

Claimed not following in the footstep of such Hollywood A-listers, as Angelina Jolie and Madonna, Tyra Banks publicly revealed her plans to adopt a child.

"I've wanted to adopt since I was eight, nine years old, before it was hip," the former model explained. "I really do think I will. I don't have to have a child come from my womb to have a connection. Children that are already born are beautiful to me. I can definitely be a mother to them."

Held the event annually based on votes conducted by 26 Internet film critics, the New York Film Critics Online announced yesterday, December 10, the winners of its NYFCO Awards for year 2006 at O'Neals' Restaurant on the Upper West Side in Manhattan.

The group gave most prizes to Stephen Frears' "The Queen", bestowing five which included the Best Picture, Best Actress for Helen Mirren, and Best Supporting Actor for Michael Sheen.

When it comes to Hollywood public's Most Favorite Stars, veteran movie actor Tom Hanks is the best. In a new Gallup poll which involved 1,003 adults conducted from Nov. 27 to 29, it is found out that 44 percent of movie goers will go out of the way to watch one of Hanks' movies.

Come right after him is Robert De Niro with 33 percent of the votes, followed by Julia Roberts in 3rd spot with 29 percent of the votes. The 4th Most Popular Stars in Hollywood are Will Smith and Sandra Bullock with 27 percent of the votes.

Back to comedy after her stint in "Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous" last year, Sandra Bullock is set to topline a project of the genre coming from 20th Century Fox entitled "One of the Guys", Variety has reported.

Also will seat as producer together with Todd Garner, the actress is billed to play a true guy's gal who brings her all-male circle of friends into chaos when she embraces her feminine side. A director has not yet been attached, but it is confirmed that the movie will be made based on a pitch by brothers Tom and Tim Mullen.

Once is not enough for Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. And so the newlyweds have another wedding party. This time around they held it in Beverly Hills.

The husband-and-wife had their another wedding ceremony, held for those who are not able to attend their Nov. 18 nuptials held in an Italian castle, took place Saturday Dec 9th at the home of Cruise's longtime producing partner, Paula Wagner, and her husband, Rick Nicita.

This could be another perfect example that controversial work always gets most attention from public no matter what dispute it has caused. Following the success of "Borat", it's now "Apocalypto" turn to gloat as the R-rated Mayan drama satisfyingly scores $15 million worth of tickets to snatch the top spot on the weekend box office ended Sunday, December 10, 2006.

Despite the stir it has ignited, particularly among the descendants of Mayan tribe as reported before, the blood-soaked picture triumphantly pushes down last-week top holder "Happy Feet" to the second place after the animated flick turns out to only add up another $12.9 million into its pocket.

Contrary to recent tabloid reports saying Jessica Simpson turned to food for comfort after her failed marriage and album, the singer-actress apparently is paranoid about gaining weight.

Jess, who currently filming "Blonde Ambition" with Luke Wilson in Louisiana, reportedly is starving herself to stay skinny for her role in the comedy flick. It is said that the movie star is not taking advantage of the delicious local cuisine and ate nothing when she visited Chili's restaurant with friends during a break from shooting last week.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are not tying the knot. Rumors on the street saying the couple are planning to tie the knot in South Africa this Christmas have proven false.

"It's all made up," a representative for the Hollywood couple confirmed.