May 09, 2007

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy has an early start to plan the special number. The organization President Neil Portnow appointed music producer and one of the fore founders Quincy Jones to shape up the prestigious event.

A yearlong ahead, arrangement has been made for the opening of Grammy museum in September 2008. The building that will hold the event's memorabilia will be opened across Staples Center, the venue for the 2008 music event. Also among the announcement is the live broadcast of the award night which is taken over by CBS on Feb 10. The nominees meanwhile, will start spilling on December 6.

Moving from its usual fare of horror genre, Screen Gems has acquired the North American distribution rights to spoof movie "Armageddagain: The Day Before Tomorrow", which sends up disaster pics ranging from "Armageddon" and "Independence Day" to "Transformers" and "The Bourne Ultimatum."

The project has already got Robert Moniot to helm based on the script he wrote alongside first-time screenwriter Travis Oates. Filming is expected to start August this year for a 2008 release with Moniot also producing together with Sandbox Entertainment's Noah Emmerich and Phil Goldfine of Hollywood Media Bridge.

Diving into the real world of racing horse-breeding, Walt Disney Pictures is set to make a biopic of Penny Chenery, the owner of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, based on her life story of which rights it has obtained, Variety has reported.

In bringing the project to the surface, the studio has already hired Mike Rich to pen the script with Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray to produce via their Mayhem Pictures. The threesome previously collaborated in respective roles on inspirational sports films like "The Rookie" and "Radio."

Lining up big names in the list, MTV: Music Television has unveiled the early lineup of presenters for its upcoming MTV Movie Awards, set to air live on June 3, 2007 at 8:00pm/7c from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California.

For male celebrities, the network has listed diverse names of Samuel L. Jackson, Josh Duhamel, Seth Rogen, Shia LaBeouf, Michael Chiklis, John Travolta, Zac Efron, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Evans, and Ioan Gruffudd. On the other hand, it only submitted three names of Jessica Alba, Amanda Bynes, and Katherine Heigl for the female side so far.

Even five years after its hiatus in 2002, pop band NSYNC is still answering 'demand'. This time the group should react upon the lawsuit from man name Troy Alexander who claims that they have stolen his song.

The problematic track is apparently "Up Against the Wall" that is available in the band's latest record "Celebrity". Troy who is a musician professed that he had brought the same song to Jive Records in 1990 and provided the demo tape. According to him, instead of contacting for a copyright, Jive issued the tune for NSYNC in 2001.

By this weekend, the face of our beloved Ogre can be found in every McDonald's outlet all around the country for sure.

That's true, McDonald's. Corp and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc., the studio behind the upcoming "Shrek the Third" movie, have struck a deal allowing the former to feature Shrek, Donkey, and other characters from the animated film in selling its Happy Meals and other food.

PBS' "Soundstage" live concert series will begin its fifth season soon and the networks has listed several names to perform. Rob Thomas, Macy Gray, Jewel Kilcher and Dashboard Confessional would be the artists whose live performances are going to be comprised in a one hour TV special.

The first show featuring Thomas' Red Rocks gig in Denver will be broadcast on June 14. Gray's Grainger Studio show in Chicago will get its turn on July 5 while Dashboard's Madison Square Garden concert is slated for July 12 airplay. Jewel in particular will get a two-hour set, which will be aired separately on July 19 and 26. The show will feature her performance at Rialto Theatre in Joliet, Ill.

In celebrating the coming of its much-anticipated caper comedy "Ocean's Thirteen" next month, Warner Bros. Pictures has delightfully revealed that the starry cast and filmmakers of the flick will be going around the States for a number of events leading up to the film's June 8 release with two of them benefiting the aid group the International Rescue Committee for Not On Our Watch.

The events will kick off in Hollywood at Grauman's Chinese Theatre with the Hand & Footprint Ceremony held for stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon plus producer Jerry Weintraub on Tuesday, June 5 at 11:30 am. It will then be followed by the North American premiere of the film later that evening at the same place, starting at 7:00 pm and attended by the all-star cast as well as Weintraub, director Steven Soderbergh, and screenwriters Brian Koppelman and David Levien.

Avril Lavigne is looking for models. Not for her music video, but for her new merchandise line.

The singer who has had her new album, "The Best Damn Thing," released on April 17th is planning to launch a merchandise line and is looking for models to showcase the range. She thus is teaming up with Buzznet.com for the exclusive "Get Dressed by Avril" Merch Model Search, which kicks off Tuesday May 8th at Buzznet.

Stacy Ferguson aka Fergie's tour for "The Dutchess" has met its first stop in Seattle on May 8. Sponsored by Verizon Wireless, the ticketing system is not only high tech but also highly effective.

No paper tickets that can be torn, damaged or lost can be found sold in this tour. Instead, fans will flash a picture message in their mobile phone that is sent by Verizon and they can pass through the entrance gate. The picture message is sent to the mobiles through several ways like downloading Fergie's song, attending Verizon Wireless events, purchasing a Motorola handset or attending Candie's "Try 2 Win" fit events at Kohl's department stores.

After being put into sleep December last year as Fox 2000 passed its rights on the project, now talks are high of "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" to get revived as British tabloid The Sun through its site, The Sun Online, brought in a scoop saying that Legendary Pictures has snatched the rights to bring back into development.

More surprisingly, the inside source to the site even claimed that Brad Pitt is on the top of the studio's list to play the titular character, stating the bosses are "very keen" on the actor to have the part though it means that he has to "bulk up" for being "very fit but not to He-Man proportions."

Lily Allen is jumping into fashion bandwagon. The British singer is set to launch her own brand of clothing through New Look fashion chain.

The collection, features dresses in sizes 6 to 18, high-heel shoes, patterned sneakers, and flowered jewelry, are set to be priced from $10 to $100, and will be available in stores by May 9th.

An important detail is coming up from glam metal band Poison's newest album "Poison'd!". The album that offers a selection of classic rock tune covers has revealed its heavily anticipated tracklisting. The 13 tracks are ranging from David Bowie's "Suffragete City" up to Grand Funk Railroad's "We're An American Band".

On January 3, the band posted on their official My Space page that they need the help from fans to pick songs for the album. Some suggested the band covering Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird," Sweet's "Ballroom Blitz," and AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long". None of the songs was included in the record along with the obvious suggestion of Alice Cooper's "Poison." The band however kept Sweet and Alice Cooper in mind and decided to do their other songs.

Reaping success after success with big screen features, Orlando Bloom is invading the London stage. The actor, famous for his role in "Pirates" flicks, will star in a revival of David Storey's "In Celebration."

The play, which is a 1969 drama, tells the story of three brothers who are unhappy as they have to travel back to their parents' Yorkshire home for their 40th wedding anniversary. Once there, tension immediately begins to mount between the three brothers until one of them begins angrily lashing out at the rest of the family, tearing apart their illusion of happiness.

Wanna know what's actually behind the strength of superhero quartet Fantastic Four? Apparently, it's none other than milk as they all can now be spotted having a milk mustache on their faces.

Yes, in the anticipation of "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" to hit the theaters, the team has become the latest icon featured in "Got Milk?" advertisement, a campaign made by National Milk Processor Board to promote the health benefits of drinking the nutritious liquid. Poster containing all the four characters as presented in the movie takes its debut in the May issue of Marvel Magazine.

Pamela Anderson has put to rest rumors on her getting back together with former husband Tommy Lee by publicly stating that she is smitten with her new man, David Binn.

The blonde beauty even claims the San Diego Chargers star a "real man." It is said that Pammy jetted off to Russia with David on a cultural sightseeing tour recently.

2007 MTV Movie Awards will be invaded by not only R&B stars like Rihanna and Jay-Z but also jazz funk singer Amy Winehouse. Those three are early names included as this year's batch of performers for the golden-popcorn-giving event.

Rihanna and Jay-Z will perform their latest collaboration in "Umbrella", a tune taken from Rihanna's brand new album "Good Girl Gone Bad". Meanwhile, British wonder Winehouse will deliver her signature song "Rehab".

This is it. George Michael was on Tuesday May 8th pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while unfit because of drugs and fatigue.

As previously reported Michael was arrested in North London on October 1st last year on suspicion of being unfit to drive and for possession of substance believed to be cannabis. He was later cautioned by police for possession.

Applying the same strategy Sony conducted for its blockbuster flick "Spider-Man 3", Walt Disney Pictures has announced that it will also bring up its highly-anticipated "Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End" to the surface earlier than its official release date.

Yes, the forthcoming seafaring tale will come to the presence of its fans on Thursday, May 24 instead, starting at 8 pm. It is expected that the flick can lead Disney to conceivably regain bragging rights for the top opening frame after the record set by "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" got shattered by "Spider-Man 3."

On the heels of the success he has gained in "Disturbia", screenwriter Christopher B. Landon is coming onboard to pen the screenplay of "The Flock (2008)", a new psychological thriller coming from Warner Independent Pictures.

Set in contemporary times, the project centers on three teenage girls who get accused of practicing witchcraft, leading them to endure terrifying consequences as a result of the ensuing hysteria and scapegoating.

Naomi Campbell learned one or two things from her community service. Already experienced blessing in disguise, the supermodel presents the "confession of a toilet scrubber," revealing extracts of her diaries during her community service.

Campbell, who spent five days mopping, sweeping and scrubbing toilets in Manhattan, wrote a diary of the days in which she talks about taking responsibility for her actions and bonding with her co-workers. The New York Post published the extracts of the diary entries Monday May 7th.

Snatching a contrasting part from that in the upcoming thriller drama "Mr. Brooks" as his next acting stint, Kevin Costner has signed on to topline an indie election comedy entitled "Swing Vote" that he also sets to produce.

Here the versatile actor is billed as a single father thrust into the national spotlight when the presidential election comes down to his vote. Filming is scheduled to begin this July with Joshua Michael Stern directing from the script he wrote alongside Jason Richman.

Based on "I love London. I've had some of my favorite shows here," music prodigy Prince will have his stay in the city for 21 shows this summer. Claiming this would be his only European visit this year, the series of concerts is more than attempting for surprising performance and cheap fare waits at the end.

Stepping in London's O2 Arena on August 1, the venue will be his first stop and the witness for other 6 dates. Dubbed "21 Nights in London", the tour will not see one routine after another. "We play so many different styles of music, it's really hard to get a full dose of what we do unless you come to several shows," Prince said in a press release on May 8. Fans can expect assorted show each day and a range over 150 different songs.

Following the surprise she caused with her secret wedding, now Brittany Murphy comes to the surface with its details.

Confirming her marriage to British writer and director Simon Monjack, her representative tells People, "They were married at their home in Los Angeles several weeks ago in a very intimate ceremony. It was officiated by a rabbi and they were surrounded by their families."

Bringing more fun to the official website of "Evan Almighty", Universal Pictures has delightfully provided the site with some new features that fans of the highly-anticipated flick sure can enjoy thoroughly.

While those who visit can download "The Evan Almighty Activity Book" or participate in "Get On Board Now" by visiting GetonBoard.org, most of these features appear to be interesting games relating to the picture, such as "Zoo Rescue" and "Evan Almighty Round Up" which both require players to deal with the animals found in the Ark.

Posing naked isn't something new for our actress Bai Ling. And the Chinese beauty has agreed to again bare all, this time for German artist Udo Spreitzenbarth.

The sexy actress will bare all in a new exhibition of life-size prints at the Berlinale gallery in Germany.

Well, seems 2007 is the perfect year for Shawn Levy to collect movie projects as many as he can into his hands. The filmmaker has just been reported to get Universal Pictures picked up the rights to "The Overachievers" for him to produce via his 21 Laps Entertainment.

Already had duo Brian Gatewood and Alex Tanaka onboard to pen the screenplay, the project is an adaptation of Alexandra Robbins' nonfiction book of the same name which chronicles the lives of high school students in Bethesda, Maryland as they navigate the SAT and college-application process. In doing so, they become obsessed with success while dealing with illness, physical deterioration, cheating, obsessed parents, and emotional breakdowns.

This time is for real. Nick Cannon has proposed to model girlfriend Selita Ebanks.

The funnyman took a serious step in his relationship with Ebanks when he on Monday night May 7th popped the question to girlfriend in the middle of Times Square.

Paris Hilton changes her mind quickly. The 26-year-old has rehired longtime publicist Elliot Mintz, days after she dumped him over the weekend, blaming him for her 45-day sentence.

Mintz confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday May 8th that he is again representing the socialite, yet wouldn't elaborate on why they reunited. Meanwhile, Paris has also had her lawyers taking the first step to appeal her jail sentence while also has urged fans to sign a petition to pardon her "mistake."