February 12, 2007

Going deeper into U.S. film productions, German filmmaker Christian Alvart has signed on the helm a thriller feature titled "The Zero" for Warner Independent Pictures, Variety has learned.

Adapted from Jess Walter's satirical political novel of the same name, the project revolves around a New York City cop who shoots himself in the head less than a week after the 9/11 incident, causing him to suffer strange memory lapses. Later assigned to analyze every scrap of paper blown across New York when the Twin Towers fell, he unexpectedly finds himself involved in a sinister government plot.

Picking up a rather different project, MTV Films is preparing to set up a teen thriller feature titled "Handsome Devil" under its banner following its triumph in winning the bidding war for the rights to the flick.

Plot details are currently being kept under wraps, but it is said that the picture is set at a Manhattan prep school with Kevin Misher to produce. The movie itself will be developed based on the script penned by Jacob Forman, who previously wrote for "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane" which recently was picked up by The Weinstein Company.

Apparently it only needs quite a short time for Sylvain White to have his next project in his hands after "Stomp the Yard." IESB.net claimed that producer Gianni Nunnari has assigned the guy to direct "Ronin", a film version of Frank Miller's graphic novel of the same title.

The appointment later was confirmed by White himself in an exclusive interview with BlackFilm.com to which the man revealed that he is setting up things for the project, set to be developed under Warner Bros. Pictures.

Writing names behind "Little Miss Sunshine" and "The Departed" both successfully beat out its tough rivals to glow as the champs at this year's WGA Awards gala ceremonies, held yesterday, February 11 at the Los Angeles' Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel.

"Sunshine" writer Michael Arndt received the prize in Original Screenplay category for film feature while "Departed" scribe William Monahan delightfully took home another in Adapted Screenplay. Both have also landed nomination in the same categories at the upcoming Academy Awards in which the films they worked for are vying for best picture title.

New rumors surface by the hour that Carrie Underwood is dating Oliver Trevena. Speculation on the romance soon popped out as the American Idol winner and the British singer were spotted together in Los Angeles.

Talk is heating up that Underwood and Trevena were seen hugging and kissing last month after driving to the Los Angeles' Lax airport, where she was scheduled to catch a flight. That's not all since Us Weekly magazine was also told by a source that Underwood and Trevena began dating weeks ago.

Arriving at the 49th annual Grammy Awards Sunday Feb 11th, Scarlett Johansson looks stunning just the way she is. The actress talked about rumors that she's dating singer Justin Timberlake as she walked down the red carpet.

In an attempt to put the record straight, the beauty said, "We did make a music video together and we have a lot of friends in common. Justin's a sweetheart and it's always good to see him, but there's a lot of speculation and I try not to read that stuff."

Held its Annie Awards for the thirty-fourth time, ASIFA-Hollywood, the Burbank-based chapter of the International Animated Film Society, bestowed prizes to best achievements in animation yesterday, February 11, at the Alex Theater in Glendale, California.

Though handing out the top prize of Best Animated Feature to Disney/Pixar's "Cars", the organization turned out to put favor on "Flushed Away", as it gave the DreamWorks/Aardman Animations production most awards at the event.

This is the first time ever that Kylie Minogue speaks on her break up with Olivier Martinez. The Aussie pop singer posted a message on kylie.com Friday night Feb 9th, urging fans not to harass her ex-boyfriend, saying he deserves better treatment.

In her posted message Kylie wrote, "As for the treatment Olivier has received of late, I can only reiterate that he simply does not deserve the kind of harassment or vitriol to which he has been subjected. For someone whom I have enormous love and respect, and communicate with, it is so grossly unfair: to demonize an honest man. I would ask of you, my fans, to show your support for both Olli and myself as a separation is never easy."

Taking advantage from Heath Ledger's loss, Colin Farrell has stepped in the role left by the Australian actor in "Dirt Music", a movie adaptation of Tim Winton's award-winning novel of the same title produced by Hanway Films.

Therefore lines up with Rachel Weisz in the cast, the "Miami Vice" star will portray a mysterious drifter who is able to revive the passion for life of a woman during her struggle with isolation and loneliness in a remote community of the Northern Territories.

While Britney Spears is single again following her break up with model boyfriend Isaac Cohen, Kevin Federline seems to have gotten back into dating saddle.

The failed-rapper has been spotted with a stunning blonde in Miami last week, it has been reported. K-Fed arrived at a Maxim magazine party in Miami, Florida on February 2nd in his Rolls-Royce with a stunning blonde called Angie and spent the night holding her hand and kissing her.

Ready to establish a solid team onscreen, Matthew Goode and Ben Whisaw have landed deals to star together in dramatic feature "Brideshead Revisited", a big screen adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's 1945 novel of the same title.

Goode will be billed as the protagonist, Charles Ryder, made famous in the U.K. by Jeremy Irons in a previous TV adaptation, while Whisaw as his good friend Sebastian Flyte, previously played by Anthony Andrews.

Not only two, but five. Dixie Chicks sweeps clean all the five categories they earn at the 49th annual Grammy Awards, thus taking home the awards for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal all for "Not Ready To Make Nice", plus Album Of The Year and Best Country Album both for "Taking the Long Way".

Also scores an award is Christina Aguilera who wins the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance award for "Ain't No Other Man". American hip-hop group the Black Eyed Peas, in the meantime, earns the Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal award for their hit "My Humps", while pop sensation Madonna nabs the Best Electronic/Dance Album award for "Confessions on a Dance Floor".

It was held at the Royal Opera House in a country known for its royalty and this year bestowed its top prize to a lauded drama about royal family.

Yes, BAFTA Awards, also known as the Orange British Academy Film Awards, ultimately saw "The Queen" came out as the Best Film with its star Helen Mirren being crowned the Best Actress in a Leading Role as the British Academy of Film and Television Arts listed the event's honorees yesterday, February 11.

Jennifer Aniston got a birthday present which she may not forget for the rest of her life. Coincided with her 38th birthday Sunday Feb 11th, the actress had the nude photos of her from the much-anticipated scene from "The Break-Up" splashed online despite legal threats from her attorney.

Rumor has it that the photographs online have reportedly been scanned by the French magazine Choc. Word leaked out last week that the photos were available as her attorney moved quickly to try and stop the photo from being published. The French magazine, however, ignored the directive and published Jennifer's topless photos.

Here we bring you all up-date news on Anna Nicole Smith's death. While an autopsy performed could yet immediately determine what killed the former Playboy Playmate, a photo obtained by TMZ of the inside of Smith's refrigerator taken after she died, and the contents may lead all of us to come to an early speculation on what actually killed her.

In the photo, as shown by TMZ, it is obvious to everyone that the mini-fridge in Smith's Bahamas home bedroom contained methadone, cans of Slim-Fast, several bottles of TRIMSPA, Miracle 2000 (marketed as a nutritional supplement for "today's active lifestyle"), French's Worcestershire Sauce, yogurt and spray butter. In addition to all, there are also vials of injectable medicines.

Leona Lewis, the winner of the 2006 X Factor contest, has secured a record deal with music mogul Clive Davis. The deal, reportedly worth for £5m ($9.7m), will make it possible for Lewis to release five albums worldwide on the label J Records.

Davis, 74, is the man who discovered singer Whitney Houston and also is the mentor for famous singers Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake. Working with the music expert with Simon Cowell in hand to guide her career, there's no need to doubt Lewis will be an international star.

All the pros, give way to the rookies, please as two new releases have triumphantly soared high in their debut to lead the weekend box office ended Sunday, February 11, 2007.

Strikes great despite a critical battering, "Norbit" fabulously exceeded industry observers' low-$20 million range expectations with $34.1 million in claiming the top spot of the chart, easily beating out "Hannibal Rising" which scores way down below at $13 million as the runner-up.

Mary J. Blige, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder, Dixie Chicks, John Mayer, Justin Timberlake, T.I., and Carrie Underwood are among the early winners at the 49th annual Grammy Awards, held Sunday afternoon Feb 11th. As of Blige, the R&B singer gloriously earns three awards, mainly for the categories of Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song both for "Be Without You", and Best R&B Album for her comeback album, "The Breakthrough."

California rock band the Red Hot Chili Peppers, in the meantime, also wins three Grammys, including the Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal and Best Rock Song awards for "Dani California", and Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package for "Stadium Arcadium". Veteran singer Wonder shares the Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals award with Tony Bennett for their collaboration "For Once In My Life". Country trio the Dixie Chicks is another early winner, taking home the awards for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal and Song Of The Year all for "Not Ready To Make Nice".