September 29, 2008

Willing to get better with his growing age, Prince has a change of heart that he decided to turn his back on his raunchy past. The hit maker openly admitted he no longer wants to write songs with lusty lyrics and perform dirty dancing on-stage because he does not want to offend his fans, who as time goes by have grown up and had children.

Talking about his determination, Prince told USA Today, "I did the Dirty Mind tour and pushed that envelope off the table. What I didn't do, Madonna finished. I don't want to go back. You have to get out of your own way." He went on revealing the fact that he is a Jehovah's Witness advocate has also contributed to his decision. Giving credit to the bible, which he often reads, Prince furthermore remarked "that's another way faith has changed me."

The first look into Columbia Pictures' "Seven Pounds" is given through the release of its trailer. The drama film once again unites people behind the Oscar-nominated "The Pursuit of Happyness" which are actor Will Smith, director Gabriele Muccino and producers Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, James Lassiter and Steve Tisch.

Telling the story of everyday life, "Seven Pounds" will see Smith playing an IRS agent named Ben Thomas who thinks he ruins his life in mere 7 seconds. As an attempt to make amends, he takes the identity of his younger brother and determines to change the lives of seven people on his list. Twist of story comes in when he falls in love with one of them and his own life is about to change.

The Weinstein Company finally announce the release date for their big screen "The Reader", marking that a dispute between producers Harvey Weinstein and Scott Rudin over the movie's release has been resolved. "We are in complete agreement on the date we have chosen," the two say. "Working together, we developed a plan to extend the postproduction schedule in order to give Stephen Daldry the additional time he needs to successfully complete the film."

In a joint statement, the two producers reveal that the drama film, which stars Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes, will come out on December 12, keeping Harvey's previous plan which had been strongly rejected by Scott. Some say that Harvey's rush move happens because he wants to bring the movie as an Oscar candidate. On the contrary, Scott, who has two other awards movies out this year, lobbied for a 2009 release and refused to be pushed up.

With several names coming out attached as the helmer of "Thor", Kenneth Branagh becomes the last one mentioned. The Northern Irish director and actor who was catapulted to success through the 1989 "Henry V", is said to be in talks to helm the Marvel Comics adaptation of "Thor".

The news comes from Variety that reported Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige picks Branagh as the director. This has been considered as an odd choice for Branagh has not helmed any action movie in more than a decade although he did earn two Oscar nominations for "Henry V". No other details have been shared except that the movie is aimed to be released on June 4, 2010.

Guns N' Roses' upcoming sixth studio album, "Chinese Democracy", has been confirmed to be exclusively released through big retailer, Best Buy. Some details of the agreement are reportedly still in the work, including the album release date.

Previously, several new songs from the band's upcoming album were leaked earlier. The blogger behind the posting had been questioned by FBI due to his illegal action. Meanwhile, another song from the band's long-delayed album titled "If The World" is speculated to appear in the upcoming Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe's movie "Body of Lies".

Sneak peek to "Brothers & Sisters" 3.02 has been given attached to the season premiere on Sunday, September 28. Following the holiday, Kevin and and Nora are still in tension while Kitty and husband Robert get serious with their adoption process.

A social worker starts visiting the couple and attends a 'typical' Walker family dinner. Meanwhile, Holly is giving Rebecca the full access to her two million dollar trust fund, making Rebecca to question her mother's motif. Rebecca's romance to Justin also heats up on the couch. Holly, in the mean time, investigates a former Walker's 'secret'.

Dating English novelist Emma Forrest, Colin Farrell is reported to have converted to her religion, Judaism. The New York Post's Page Six reports that the actor was seen at a party in West Hollywood wearing a chain with a Star of David pendant around his neck.

Farrell and Emma were seen attending a West Hollywood party for Heeb magazine at MBar earlier this month. It was during the event that he was spotted sporting the necklace, prompting rumors that he and Emma are getting serious with their love relationship.

The new season of "Desperate Housewives" has rolled in on Sunday, September 28 and a sneak peek of the next week's episode has been made available. Titled "We're So Happy You're So Happy", the episode promises more "lies, secrets, betrayal" and mysteries that get "juicier".

Lynette discovers her son, Porter, has a softer side, which she finds endearing; Gaby amusingly attempts to mask her demise in social stature; and the time has come for the men in Susan's life to meet. Meanwhile Bree begins to feel the pressures of balancing marriage and a career, Edie is reminded just how hostile the neighbors on Wisteria Lane can be, and a suspicious Mrs. McCluskey enlists Katherine's help to uncover more about their new neighbor, Dave.

Rapper Busta Rhymes reveals his desire to enter recording room with troubled singer Amy Winehouse. "I would love to work with her. I think she is a talented genius of an artist," he says.

Unfortunately, the rapper, who has gained entry to U.K. after banned from entering the country due to "unresolved convictions", feels disappointed when the "Rehab" singer hasn't given him a call yet. "She won't pick up the DAMN phone but that's OK. I ain't mad at her," he adds in a statement.

Becoming a hit in its native country, and transcending itself to U.S. audience, sketch comedy series "Little Britain" is heading to the big screen. The feature film, which is backed up by producer Simon Fuller, will present the characters played by David Walliams and Matt Lucas.

A single story line will include many of the actors' notable characters such as teenager with horrible attitude Vicky Pollard, computer-obsessed Carol Beer and cross dresser in denial Emily Howard. "This was on the back burner while David and Matt concentrated on their American TV show, Little Britain USA. But they are both keen to get the project up and running," a source told Daily Mirror.

Preview of "True Blood" episode 1.05 is available. The HBO vampire series will on Sunday, October 5 rolls the episode called "Sparks Fly Out", presenting Bill and his memory flashbacks on the wartime incident that changed his fate forever.

Spurned by an exasperated Sookie, Bill ends up winning over Adele's church audience with his vivid recollections from the Civil War, though Andy and Bud remain suspicious. Sam tries to make the most of his opportunity with Sookie, though she's clearly not ready to commit. Ignoring Tara's rebuff, Lafayette convinces Jason to give vampire blood, aka "V juice," another shot.

When eliminated on the season 3 of "American Idol", Jennifer Hudson stepped out with an exit speech, saying that something big out there had been waiting for her. "I don't know when or where or how, but God has something in store for me," she said at that time.

Two years later she proved it by landing the part of Effie White in a musical film called "Dreamgirls" along side other big names such as Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, and Eddie Murphy. The song, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", that she performed on the movie, has been praised as "five mellifluous, molto vibrato minutes". Also as Effie White who sang the tune, Jennifer won Golden Globe Award as Best Actress in a Supporting Role. In addition, she won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her big screen debut performance.

After months of closed court hearings, it is finally ruled that Heath Ledger's daughter, Matilda Rose Ledger, whom he has with then fiancee Michelle Williams, will become the legal heir of his $2 million estate, Australia newspaper the Sunday Times reports. According to his father Kim Ledger, his late actor son's will originally had the asset divided up to his parents and sisters, but after further talk the whole family decided to give it up to the 2 year-old girl for her benefit.

Heath, who died on January 22, 2008 as a result of an accidental prescription pill overdose, gave away his entire estate to his parents and three sisters, Kate and Olivia Ledger and Ashleigh Bell, in a will he signed on April 12, 2003, two years before Matilda was born. The will left half of the estate to Kate, Olivia and Ashleigh with the remainder was to go to his parents, Kim and Sally Bell, after debts had been paid.

One of the curiosities behind "Friday the 13th" is unveiled through the release of on-set photos where Jason Voorhees is photographed without his mask on. The character portrayed by Derek Mears is shown for the first time with a badly-shaped face, the distortion he has to bear since he was born.

The on-set photos courtesy of HorrorBid.com, is taken from the scene in a forest where there's also an old toppled bus. The horror movie remake has wrapped up its principle photography in Austin, Texas in June this year.

Ali Lohan reportedly received a potential offer from music manager Johnny Wright to help boosting her singing career. "Johnny Wright, who has managed the Jonas Brothers and Justin Timberlake, has offered to help out Ali and guide her career," a source says.

However, Ali's mother named Dina Lohan was apparently unhappy with the possible arrangement and as a result, Ali refused to join Johnny's team. "We'll see if Ali's mom Dina will be into it. She wants full control and the full manager's fee for herself," the source explains in a further statement.

Becoming the latest celebrity to have her figure immortalized in plastic, Katy Perry is about to release a limited edition doll of herself later this week. The doll is similar to the one that is featured in the music video of her hit single "Ur So Gay", from her second studio album "One of the Boys."

New York-based toy manufacturer Integrity Toys, which produced the doll used in Katy's "Ur So Gay" video, has collaborated with the singer to create 500 special edition dolls in her likeness. The doll will retail for $49.99 and is expected to sell out in two days.

Striking while the iron is hot, Tina Fey has reprised her role as Sarah Palin in the September 27 episode of "Saturday Night Live". Wearing the similar pink suit that Palin wore while giving an interview to CBS' Katie Couric, earlier that week, Fey sat across pregnant actress Amy Poehler who was there to impersonate Couric.

As the Republican vice presidential candidate, Fey was taking on the lack of Palin's knowledge on foreign affairs. When asked by 'Couric' how she would help to facilitate the democracy abroad, 'Palin' answered "Katie, I'd like to use one of my lifelines. ... I want to phone a friend." When 'Couric' told her that it was not how the interview works, Fey quoted Palin's frequent lines in an interview, saying, "Well, in that case, I'm just gonna have to get back to ya."

Madonna was fined by London's Wembley Stadium after the pop superstar finished her gig 40 minutes later than the planned show on September 11. As a result, the singer was asked to pay 50,000 pounds for every fifteen minutes she exceeded as a compensation for staying on beyond the venue's time limit.

"The concert was meant to start at 8.30 PM but Madonna didn't come on stage until 9.10 PM," a source said. "The gig ended at 11.10 PM, so she was quite a bit over. Her people knew about the possible implications for going over the curfew but this is a pretty hefty fine, even for Madonna."

Daughters of Paul Newman have released a joint statement soon following his death, paying tribute to their late actor father whom they claimed as "devoted husband," "loving father," "adoring grandfather" and a "dedicated philanthropist." First of all praising their late father to have "played many unforgettable roles" during his entire life, the daughters said he "was a rare symbol of selfless humility, the last to acknowledge what he was doing was special. Intensely private, he quietly succeeded beyond measure in impacting the lives of so many with his generosity."

"Always and to the end, Dad was incredibly grateful for his good fortune," the statement continued. "In his own words: 'It's been a privilege to be here.' He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched, but he leaves us with extraordinary inspiration to draw upon. During this difficult time, we ask for privacy for our family."

The casting of Universal Pictures' "Nottingham" is taking an interesting twist as two rival characters will be played by a single actor. Russell Crowe who has been attached to the project playing as Sheriff of Nottingham, will take a double duty playing as the villainous Robin Hood as well.

Director Ridley Scott confirms the fact himself, telling MTV News that Crowe is "playing both". Although other details are kept for efficiency, Scott said that the dual roles would be "a good old clever adjustment of characters. One becomes the other. It changes."

Top model Kate Moss will reportedly resign from walking-on-the-runway business and step into the music industry. "She has told everyone she won't carry on modeling after she turns 35 ... song writing and being a singer will slowly take over," a source reveals.

Previously, Kate co-wrote four songs, including "You Talk", "French Dog Blues", "Baddie's Boogie", and "Deft Left Hand" for Pete Doherty's band, Babyshambles. The singles then appeared on the band's sophomore album "Shotter's Nation", which has been released since October 2007.

Hot pop band Girls Aloud decided to pick the best guys from U.K. reality TV show "The X Factor" to make cameo appearances on their latest music video. To win the chance of co-starring on their video, the contestants were reportedly asked to name as many the girls' tracks as possible.

The girls stepped back in time in their latest music video for single "The Promise", which was expected to appear on their upcoming not-yet-titled album. In the video, they wore a series of sexy sixties-style looks and attended an old-fashioned drive-thru cinema to watch a film which also stared them.

The CW have released a promo video for two of their primetimes, "Gossip Girl" and "One Tree Hill". Both aired on Monday, the shows promise a night full of "guilty pleasure". The new footage inserts some extra scenes from future episodes.

Tonight (September 29), "Gossip Girl" will roll with an episode called "The Serena Also Rises" at 8:00 P.M. Blair will have a scuffle with Serena over the fact that Blair's mother gives Serena and her socialite friend Poppy front row seats of Waldorf Design show. Dan will try to befriend Chuck and takes the downside to it. Several clips have been released as a sneak peek to the episode.

Katy Perry is working on a music video in support of her latest single called "Hot and Cold". Beside appearing in her debut album, "One of the Boys", which has been for sale since June, the song has also been recorded in Simlish and appears on the eight expansion pack of the popular computer game franchise "The Sims 2: Apartment Life".

The video itself is reportedly directed by Alan Ferguson and shot somewhere in Los Angeles. Donning a sugar pink wedding dress, the "I Kissed a Girl" hit maker has to do all the running and riding when her on-the-video boyfriend is not brave enough to marry her.

Heather Locklear was arrested Saturday evening, September 27 in Santa Barbara County, Calif. on suspicion of driving under the influence. She was pulled over by a California Highway Patrol (CPH) officer after a resident reported seeing her leaving a parking lot and "driving erratically," a spokesperson for the CPH said. Heather was released later that day after posting $5,000 bail.

It was reported that at around 4:30 P.M., a female witness saw Heather driving erratically while leaving a parking lot in Montecito. The witness claimed to have seen the actress "driving forwards and backwards over a pair of sunglasses and revving her engine". Soon thereafter the witness saw her "exited her vehicle and stumbled into the traffic lane." Having concern for Heather's safety, the witness quickly called 911 to report the incident to the CPH.

It's official, Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds are now husband and wife. The celebrity couple quietly tied the knot on Saturday, September 27 in an intimate ceremony outside Vancouver in the groom's native Canada.

A representative for the actress confirmed to US Weekly a wedding did exist and was attended by her mother, Melanie Sloan, and her brother, Adrian Johansson. The marriage is the first for both Scarlett and Ryan. No other details are being provided.

Race-against-time thriller "Eagle Eye" has made September 26 to 28 weekend theirs. Opened on Friday, September 26 and played on 4,800 screens, the D.J. Caruso-directed film tops the box office chart with approximately $29.2 million. Commenting on the movie's success, DreamWorks spokesman Chip Sullivan said, "'Eagle Eye' jumpstarted the fall box office, and we couldn't be happier."

Starred by Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan, the flick becomes LaBeouf's second #1 feature film in 2008 following "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". Securing his status as the A-lister, "Eye" also marks the second time he teams up with Caruso to deliver a box office topper after their 2007's thriller "Disturbia".