August 19, 2008

Sympathy keeps flooding in for late actor Heath Ledger's family members, most specifically his young daughter Matilda Rose Ledger, even months after his tragic death in January. Actors Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell are those who show some support for the girl, giving her all the earnings they received from "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" because Heath had not updated his will at the time of his death to include her.

Depp, Law, and Farrell, all of whom play versions of Heath's character "Tim" in the Terry Gilliam's fantasy-drama, willingly donated their payments from the movie to little Matilda over concern of her future. Serving as the film's director, Gilliam confirms the donation, telling The Sun the three actors "didn't take money - it goes to Heath's daughter."

English rock band Babyshambles were forced to cancel their show at FM4 Frequency Festival after their lead vocalist Pete Doherty didn't show up in Salzburg, Austria where the annual music festival was held. According to Adam Ficek, Pete didn't come to the festival on the day of their performance because he missed the flight to Austria. "We are in Salzburg, with no Peter," said Adam.

Speaking of the cancellation, Adam says that though Pete didn't come and they couldn't perform, he and other band members, Mik Whitnall and Drew McConnell, still attended the festival in order to apologize to their fans. "We will head to the festival and apologize on stage," Adam added at that time. "Drew, Mik and myself can only apologise to those who came to see us today."

Involving himself deeply into the issue of green causes, Brad Pitt has teamed up with cosmetics firm Kiehl's to develop an ecofriendly body wash, called Aloe Vera Biodegradable Liquid Body Cleanser. All profits from the product's sales will be used to benefit JPF Eco Systems, a foundation created by Pitt and Kiehl's to "support global environmental initiatives that minimize impact on the environment through thoughtful design."

Unlike any other celebrity endorsements, Pitt won't appear in the ads promoting the body wash. He will on the other way around lend a helping hand serving as brand executive for the new body cleanser. He would receive no payment for the part though.

On top of his successful reality show "Making the Band" on MTV, P. Diddy will launch another star-search type of show via the same music channel. The rapper is on to select several talented artists with charisma to be picked as the winners of "Starmaker". The twist is, the selected ones will be made solo artists under Bad Boy Records.

Two people, a boy and a girl, of minimum 18 years old, will be chosen as the winners and get a signed contract with the label. Despite Diddy's status as the king of Hip-Hop, he will not limit the genre of musicians taking part in "Starmaker". From soul to country to pop, contestants simply must deliver their best at the audition dates.

The "Diary" is indeed going to continue its bloody saga. Following the report that filmmaker George A. Romero has been working on a sequel script to "Diary of the Dead", it has been announced that "Diary of the Dead Sequel" is going to fall into production mode in Toronto, Canada on September 15 .

This follow-up movie will pick up where the first film left off. Trapped in the mansion and having to battle the stream of zombies, the surviving characters barely manage to escape alive. Now, in their effort to find a safe haven, they board an abandoned ferry and drift to a deserted island. Yet, instead of finding a place away from the blood-thirst dead, they soon discover that the island has been colonized by the zombies.

Singer Katharine McPhee has just premiered a music video to support her brand new single titled "I Know What Boys Are". The song is among comedy movie "The House Bunny" soundtracks and features backing vocals by Emma Stone and Kiely Williams, who also play in the film.

Together with other movie casts, such as Emma, Rumer Willis, and Anna Faris, Katharine who also co-stars in the movie, will drop by MTV's Total Request Live this Wednesday, August 20 to introduce the single and promote the film. The video starts with girls performance on a stage. Some scenes show a crowd of people watching a dance performance by the girls, while the rest mostly carries the movie plot to complete the mission of promoting the film to the public before hitting the theater on August 22.

Having starred in various movie genre from romantic comedy to action, Tom Cruise is going to add another genre to his list, a comic book movie, with "Sleeper". For his next feature film project, the 46-year-old is going to pair up with the director of "Spider-Man" series, Sam Raimi.

The collaboration between the two is made possible as Cruise is loosely attached to star in the DC Comics/Wildstorm comic book adaptation, while Raimi is set to produce alongside Josh Donen, his Star Road Entertainment partner. It is still unclear what character the "Collateral" star will be portraying if indeed cast though.

Lily Allen is facing a limbo in the release of her second album, mainly because her label is not very supportive of it. On contrary to rumors that said the delay was caused by her fear of battling with Katy Perry, the actual reason lays in EMI that have gone through many changes resulting in the stalling.

Writing on her MySpace blog, Lily explained the album is actually ready for the market but the people who used to work with her have mostly either been fired or left the company. "The album has been finished for a while now, I don't really know what's going on with it," Lily said. "The record industry is a very political place at the moment and I am on EMI Records. Lots of people have been fired or have taken redundancy recently as the company was taken over by a private equity firm called Terra Firma. Many of these people were people assigned to my projects and now I don't quite know what's going on."

Former Destiny's Child's member Kelly Rowland has given a hint that the group will work on a new album for their reunion. Furthermore, Kelly also says that the album will be used as the follow-up for their comeback world tour, which will be started next year.

Commenting on the soon-to-be reunion, Kelly says that she is excited and looks forward to it. "It's a blessing when we work together. We're so looking forward to working with each other again and we just need to find a time in our diaries when we can get into the studio together," says she.

After giving fans the chance to meet clueless gym employee Chad and womanizer federal marshal Harry through character videos, Focus Features let out two other hilarious spots. The brand new videos for "Burn After Reading" introduce two other characters, a disgraced CIA agent Osbourne Cox and a desperate-for-love gym employee Linda Litzke.

The first video to be posted below is entitled "Meet Osbourne". It highlights on the warning given to those who plan on messing with Osbourne stating, "Fired. Robbed. Blackmailed. Don't Play with Cox." The second character video "Meet Linda" describes Linda as a single and available woman who is looking for love in the wrong place.

Madonna turned 50 years old on Saturday, August 16 and her husband Guy Ritchie helped celebrating the big day in style. Pouring cold water on the long persistent rumors that their marriage is on the rocks and they are on the verge of divorcing, the movie director threw a birthday bash for the singer and gave a speech, expressing his praise for her in front of her many friends who were invited to the bash.

The party, held at the trendy club Volstead in London's West End, was a private event. "It was a small party," a source confirmed to People. "A private event for her close family and friends. It was low key." There were about 90 people attending the party.

The wedding of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi was a private one but that didn't prevent it from media coverage, prompting many celebrity friends of them to offer their congratulations for the newlyweds. Joshua Radin, who was invited to the wedding by Ellen in a bid to surprise Portia, opened up about his feeling of singing in wedding for the first time ever.

The singer-songwriter told People, "I cannot imagine topping that experience. I've never played a wedding before, and I probably won't again until it's my own." During the nuptials, he performed acoustic renditions of several new tracks and also sang the ballad "They Bring Me To You."

Two of Universal Pictures' based-on-true-story feature films have undergone schedule changes for their theatrical release. While one of them, the Greg Kinnear-starrer drama "Flash of Genius", has been pushed forward, the other, football biopic "The Express", has been moved a week back from its original slate.

Originally set for October 17 debut, "Genius" will take the October 3 date and thus is going to be screened alongside Michael Cera's romcom "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" and Robert B. Weide-directed comedy "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People". Meanwhile, "Express" has been bumped to October 10, along with Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe- starring spy thriller "Body of Lies", from its initial October 3 date.

Mexican teen group RBD are heading up to studio for their last album before officially breaking up. The not-yet-titled album is scheduled for release in early 2009. "Later they'll record a new album that's slated for an early 2009 release," says their producer, Pedro Damian.

In addition, this year the group are also on the work of compiling their fifteen most popular songs in an album, tentatively called "Greatest Hits of RBD". In a statement, Pedro says, "A new disc, called Greatest Hits of RBD, will be released this year with 15 of their most popular songs."

A new album is imminent for Black Eyed Peas but a tour is unlikely. Reports are saying that there is an internal rift in the group that may cost them a world tour in support of the new effort. Member will.i.am reportedly is furious with the only female member Stacy Ferguson aka Fergie for not putting the band as a priority.

A source told New York gossip column, Page Six that Fergie is more focused on her movie career rather than her music career as a Peas. The source said that Fergie "won't commit to a tour schedule to promote the album" and that musical piece "Nine", that starts shooting in Europe, is her "priority right now".

Following report on director Sam Raimi being attached to the "Jack Ryan" reboot movie, an interesting tidbit on the casting has developed. It is now rumored that James Franco, the actor who played Peter Parker's best friend-turned enemy, Harry Osborn in "Spider-Man" series, has been considered by Raimi to take the lead role in the Tom Clancy's adaptation, "Untitled Jack Ryan Project".

By that, it means that Franco has been eyed to fill the shoes of CIA analyst Jack Ryan, who has been depicted previously by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck. Offering a contrast to the possible casting of the 30-year-old though, CHUD mentioned that Paramount Pictures and Raimi have clashed over the idea, especially since Paramount weren't so eager to hire Franco due to his box office modest records.

30 Seconds to Mars' frontman Jared Leto has just shared his thought about $30-millions lawsuit that Virgin/EMI Records have filed against his band. He wrote in the group's official website that the lawsuit doesn't make any sense at all because the contract that he and his band mates have allegedly breached, is actually out of date.

Furthermore, Jared wrote that in California where they live and signed the deal, the law limits contract length for maximum seven years, and based on that, he said that their 1999 agreement is null and void because it supposed to have ended in 2006. However, Virgin are said to have ignored the law and instead of renewing it, they tried to make it outside the California law. "We had been signed to our record contract for 9 years. Basically, under California law, where we live and signed our deal, one cannot be bound to a contract for more than 7 years. This is widely known by all the record companies and has been for years. In fact, so aware of it are they that they desperately try to make deals outside of California whenever possible," he wrote.

Once again, MTV Video Music Awards will be the medium for Britney Spears' prove-to-the-world that she is still the princess of pop. The singer who failed to impress at last year's event is slated to perform this year, singing one of the tracks from her new album. A source close to the Spears family said, "This is her big chance to make amends and let everyone see that she is becoming the Britney of old again."

In a report published by Express.co.uk, Van Toffler who serves as the president of MTV Networks Music Group said that Britney deserves "a second or third chance". He said, "I'm not sure how we top Britney opening the show but we are working on it every minute of every day."

Fox Searchlight Pictures have presented the first sneak peek into the drama movie "The Secret Life of Bees" through the release of its first trailer. Exposing the line of talented cast ensemble, including Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo, the footage displays the heart-warming clips of a girl's journey in finding her identity in her tortured life.

Lily Owens is a fourteen-year-old girl living in Tiburon, South Carolina in 1964. Escaping from her abusive father, she brings along her fierce-hearted but caring African American caregiver, Rosaleen Daise who has insulted the town's racists. When she finally finds a place to hide at the bees and honey's world of the Boatwrights sisters, she is up for something more than hiding.

It's official, Christina Applegate is cancer free. The actress has confirmed in an interview scheduled to air Tuesday, August 19 on "Good Morning America" that she has a clean bill of health after undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

"I'm clear," Applegate tells ABC News' "Good Morning America". "Absolutely 100 percent clear and clean. It did not spread. They got everything out, so I'm definitely not going to die from breast cancer."

It's been some time that Dita Von Teese doesn't make publication and new report has just emerged that she has unveiled her new Wonderbra lingerie line. Her lingerie line is a limited edition and will go on sale starting from September 23 later this year.

Dita, a gorgeous burlesque queen who also serves as a celebrity model for Wonderbra, designed the collection by herself. The line consists of three different ranges; Multi-Teese, Spot-Teese and Satin-Teese, all of which are inspired by lingerie from the '40s and '50s. Greater than designing, Dita will model the lingerie herself.

With a few days left from its scheduled theatrical release, "The House Bunny" rolled down its red carpet at the Hearst Tower, New York and celebrated its New York premiere on Monday, August 18, evening. Stepping out for the special event were the stars of the comedy flick about the former Playboy Bunny teaching a group of awkward sorority girls how to be themselves, and several celebrity guests.

Dressing to impress, the movie's cast ensemble display a variety of style. The leading lady Anna Faris brought the classic back with her choice of flowy chiffon with lace detail, while Emma Stone wore a mini dress with splashes of colors. Demi Moore's daughter Rumer Willis was styled in an ivory strapless and the American Idol season five runner-up Katharine McPhee was seen in a floral blouse and black slacks.

Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson has taken top spot of Forbes' annual list for Hip-Hop's Cash King from Jay-Z's hand. This year, 50 Cent leads the spot on the list with an estimated total wealth of over $150 million, almost twice from Jay-Z's earnings.

Signing a $100-millions deal with Vitamin Water, 50 Cent has shifted Jay-Z from the hot spot to runner-up by $18 million cash gap. His other huge investments include album sales, clothing sales for his label G-Unit, video games, and a mining partnership with a billionaire from South Africa Patrice Motsepe.

No time for Jonas Brothers to slow down. In between their hectic schedules promoting their latest LP "A Little Bit Longer" which has just been dropped on the market, the siblings took time to show up for the unveiling of their wax statues at Madame Tussauds in Washington D.C. on Monday, August 18.

The threesome; Nick Jonas, Kevin Jonas, and Joe Jonas, took time that day to strike some poses with their wax figures, creating frenzy among a throng of fans who attended the event. Eldest brother Kevin's wax is seen smiling, wearing black outfits and a pair of white shoes with its hands holding a guitar. Joe's wax elsewhere wears a more formal outfit, pink-colored long-sleeved shirt and a matching tie, a black coat and a pair of silver shoes. As for Nick, his wax wears a coordinated blue clothes, plus a black bow tie, and a pair of white shoes. It is seen holding a guitar too.

"Watchmen" is facing a serious trouble. In the latest report concerning the Zack Snyder-directed movie, it has been reported that Warner Bros. Pictures, the studio producing the film, are more likely to deal with a legal suit thrown by the 20th Century Fox and the movie itself is threatened from being unreleased theatrically.

According to Nikki Finke of Deadline Hollywood Daily, the motion put out by Warner Bros. to dismiss the 20th Century Fox's legal claim over the rights to develop, produce and distribute "Watchmen" has been denied by a federal judge. The turning down of the lawsuit dismissal has been done by U.S. District Court Judge Gary Allen Feess, on Friday, August 15.

English singer Estelle has just dropped a music video to support her fourth single "Pretty Please", which features Cee-Lo of Gnarls Barkley. The song is listed in her latest studio album entitled "Shine", which has been released on April 29 via Atlantic Records.

The music video for this single is shot by director, Zipper On Butterfly Leather Film and production company, Frame by Frame. It does not contain an appearance from guest vocalist Cee-Lo but his vocals in the song are retained.