February 14, 2009

Kristin Kreuk's Chun-Li running through the streets of Bangkok, Josie Ho's Cantana sitting in front of a bar and Moon Bloodgood's Maya Sunee getting out of her car on the trail of powerful crime leader are a few of the newly-released images from "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li". While some of these official stills have been revealed earlier, some others are new and display Robin Shou's Gen, Chris Klein's Charlie Nash as well as Michael Clarke Duncan's Balrog.

Based on the famous series of fighting video games by Capcom, "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li" is directed by "Doom" and "Cradle 2 the Grave" helmer Andrzej Bartkowiak. Starring Kristin Kreuk as the titular female fatale, it focuses the story on undercover Interpol agent Chun-Li and her epic quest for justice following the kidnapping of her father.

Paris Hilton's sophomore studio album may feature hip-hop material as she has reportedly teamed up with actor/rapper Simon Rex in a new song. "She was rapping with Simon Rex in the studio. They had a blast," so a source told In Touch Weekly.

Paris also revealed to the publication that the singles in her still-in-the-work record will be written by herself. She said at pre-Grammys party in Beverly Hills on February 7, "I wrote every song, so it's a lot about my life. It's very different from my last album."

Taking full responsibility for the scandal he has caused after picture of him smoking marijuana hit the web, Michael Phelps issues another apology yet again and this time he dedicates it for his Chinese fans. The 23-year-old Olympic champion, who won eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, releases an Internet video seeking forgiveness from the Asian country.

"To my Chinese friends. As many of you know, I recently engaged in behavior which was regrettable and not what people have come to expect from me," Phelps says at the beginning of the video. He then continues addressing the support and encouragement that his Chinese fans have given to him.

While Eliza Dushku has revealed her hope to get the Black Widow part in "Iron Man 2", it seems that Scarlett Johansson is more likely to replace Emily Blunt as the female fatale if Blunt passes on the role. Breaking the possible casting news was Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider Blog.

On the new speculation, the trade reported that 24-year-old Johansson is interested to play Natasha Romanoff a.k.a. Black Widow. Hollywood Insider Blog also made note that the star of "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" has met the filmmaker and is in negotiation to fill in the Russian superspy's shoes. In addition to that, she is said to be just waiting for Blunt to officially give up the part. Still, Marvel have yet to confirm or deny this casting rumor.

"Dollhouse" has had its premiere on FOX last night (February 13), aired back to back with "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles". While the background story including a deal between Caroline and Adelle DeWitt becomes the underlying story of the pilot, the second one will see Echo serving one of her early missions.

In "The Target", Echo is imprinted to be the female counterpart to an avid outdoorsman and quickly learns how the hunter becomes the hunted during her wilderness adventure. Agent Ballard receives a clue to Echo's real identity, encouraging him to continue his investigation, while flashbacks reveal the tragic events at the Dollhouse that led to Boyd's arrival and Dr. Saunders' scars.

"I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week", the brand new single performed by Mandy Moore has arrived in high quality. Confirmed to be included in her upcoming sixth studio album "Amanda Leigh", the track was performed for the first time by Mandy, who joined forces with Mike Viola, during an acoustic set at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, MA in 2008.

Mandy Moore will reportedly release "Amanda Leigh" on May 26, 2009 via Storefront Recordings. Soon after the album, which deals with personal reflections and insights about life and love, is dropped to the market, she will hit the road across America for a tour.

Two new featurettes are released for "Gossip Girl", dubbed Gossip Guide - "Speak of the Week". The first one is called "Blairanoid", the syndrome which is related to Blair's attitude while the second one is called "Ment-Whore", a twist to the word mentor aka Rachel.

Lesson number #39 teaches about "the belief that everyone is jealous of your perfection and therefore, out to get you." This leads to a side effect which is found in lesson number 14 "Dorot-Abuse". Dorota is the faithful maid in the Waldorf family who often keeps up with Blair's eccentricities and finds secrets within the family.

Horror thriller "The Haunting in Connecticut" has just got one spooky one-sheet for viewing pleasure. Posted exclusively by Bloody-Disgusting, the poster exposes one of the characters in the hair-rising film experiencing a physic phenomenon known as ectoplasm. Through the poster, it can be seen that a sort of visual physical substance is rushing out of the young boy's mouth to form a spiritual energy.

Said to be chronicling the true story of one family's supernatural ordeal, "The Haunting in Connecticut" follows Sara and Peter Campbell's family as they move into a new home in Connecticut. Settling into their new home, the family soon finds out that there is something wrong with the house as Sara and Peter's son, Matt, grows increasingly disturbed by the paranormal activity. But, when Sara seeks for help, their lives are suddenly put in grave danger.

"I'm anti-Valentine's Day," so says Carrie Underwood who currently dates no one. She is quick to explain her statement though, saying that she thinks everyday should be Valentine's Day. "I don't believe - and this goes for anybody - your man shouldn't love you for one day out of 365. He should love you 365 days out of the year. I want Valentine's Day every day," she claims.

As for with whom she is going to spend this year's Valentine's Day, Carrie shares she will spend the day with her rat terrier called Ace. "He's here with me. We'll be on a plane together Saturday," the country music songstress tells reporters.

Witnessing his younger brother Dylan often becoming the target of verbal harassment, Zac Efron declares, "Bullying is one thing I hate in human nature." He recounts, "I have a younger brother, Dylan. There have been a couple of times where I've been out with him and someone has said a couple of words to him that were not nice, and I've had words back."

"I wasn't necessarily the subject of bullying, but I've witnessed it a whole lot. I still do at times in life. It doesn't stop happening at school, it can happen with adults," Zac explains. He goes on stating, "Personally if I had to deal with it, it never got to a situation where it could be considered bullying because I would find some clever way around it. I tend to make a joke. I defer everything with laughter. Even when it's blatantly disrespectful, I would just laugh it off, to avoid all confrontation, and I still use that on a daily basis."

Lil Mama has released a music video for "Truly in Love", the single off her first studio album "VYP: Voice of the Young People". In the newly-premiered video, she is accompanied by street dance crew Fanny Pak, taking the stage, dancing and singing the song in a black-tie event. Then, she is seen approaching a hunk from audience and inviting him to join her on-stage.

"VYP: Voice of the Young People" has arrived in U.S. market since March 29. Produced by T-Pain, Dr. Luke and The Runners among others, it only reached number 25 on Billboard Hot 200, selling 19,000 copies in its first week in stores.

The second season of Bravo TV's "Make Me a Supermodel" is ready to roll out with 16 contestants vying for the ultimate status. A bunch of clips are released, giving sneak peeks on the judging panel, the new mentor as well as the contestants' first challenge.

Returning for the show is host Tyson Beckford who will also be on hand to mentor the boys. The girls meanwhile, will get Australian supermodel Nicole Trunfio as their mentor. Her introduction is made on the second clip, right after the one which displays the show's opening credit. Sitting on the judges' seat meanwhile are designer Catherine Malandrino, model Jenny Shimizu, photographer Perou and international model scout Marlon.

New video footage for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" will be made available to view on Saturday, February 21. MTV reported that they will present "exclusive new looks" at the sixth "Harry Potter" movie during the airing of their show "Spoilers", which will begin at 8:00 P.M. EST on the particular day.

Details on the so-called "new looks" for the movie aren't being shared by the network, but MTV listed "Half-Blood Prince" as among those which new footage will be revealed on the show, including "Star Trek", "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" and "Land of the Lost". It is also unclear whether the footage promised will be similar to the one rumored to be broadcast during the 81st Annual Academy Awards telecast.

Lady GaGa, who is best known for her raunchy stage act, is confirmed to make a collaboration with electronic dance music duo Pet Shop Boys at this year's BRIT Awards. She is set to perform Dusty Springfield's 1989 hit single "Nothing Has Been Proved" at the event.

"It is going to be the raunchiest show the Brits has ever seen," a source from the event said. "The organizers wanted a female singer who would really shock to sing this track about the Keeler sex scandal. GaGa is the girl. She will be perfect. Don't expect many clothes."

MTV has confirmed its plan to chronicle the tumultuous romance of Chris Brown and Rihanna in a special show, titled "Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love in Trouble." The show, which will be half-hour long, "will take a look at the couple's year-long relationship and will also examine the influence the alleged domestic violence between Brown's former stepfather and mother may have had on him," according to MTV.

The network, furthermore, reveals that the show will also give viewers a peek at the events that took place on the night the alleged altercation occurred on Sunday, February 8. It will, additionally, see the effect that the incident might have on other young people's love relationships in common and how they can prevent the same thing from happening to them. A relationship expert will be on hand to give advice to young people who are facing domestic violence issues.

A quick promotional video for the special 60-second TV spots of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" has been released by FOX. Though extremely short, the promo video exhibits an individual look at some of the mutants as well as a cameo footage of young Cyclops in the action fantasy film.

In the promo, the mutants featured, Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool, Taylor Kitsch's Gambit, Liev Schreiber's Sabretooth, Tahyna Tozzi's Emma Frost and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, are all seen showing bits of their skills. Meanwhile, the Cyclops' snippet displays the mutant flying and projecting his optic blast.

Girls Aloud have reached out to their MySpace, stating their break-up rumor is untrue and confirming they have inked a new deal with record label. "It is true that the five girls will be doing various bits and pieces on their own outside of Girls Aloud this year," they wrote.

"We can confirm that there will be a brand new Girls Aloud album next year," the musical act explained more. "And that the band have just signed a new deal with Polydor/ Fascination for a minimum of three more albums."

Actor and film producer Kevin Costner has become a father, for the sixth time, after his wife Christine Baumgartner gave birth to a baby boy on Thursday night, February 12 in Los Angeles. The newborn baby, named Hayes Logan Costner, weighed in at 8 pounds and 15 ounces at time of birth.

"Both mother and son are doing well," Kevin's representative, Arnold Robinson, confirmed in a statement. Hayes Logan is Kevin and Christine's second child. The 54-year-old star and the 34-year-old handbag designer welcomed their first child, son Cayden Wyatt, back in May 2007.

Apple has got its hands on an exclusive clip from "Phoebe in Wonderland". In the nearly two-minute clip, it can be seen that Phoebe, who is portrayed by Dakota Fanning's sister Elle Fanning, is staging one of the musical numbers in the family drama fantasy film. While she takes the stage with her friends, Principal Davis watches her from below and waits impatiently.

"Phoebe in Wonderland" is the fantastical tale of a young girl named Phoebe, who struggles to follow the rules. Longing to be in the school production of Alice in Wonderland, she finally lands a part on the production but her unconformable behavior jeopardizes her chance to star in it. Perplexed by her inability to get along with the rule-obsessed world around her, Phoebe seeks enlightenment and comfort from her unconventional drama teacher.

"Grey's Anatomy" creator Shonda Rhimes says the rumors about Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight's departure from the show are "interesting". Attending the NAACP Image Awards on Thursday, February 12 where the show was named Outstanding Drama Series, Rhimes emphasized that the exit is mere "rumors".

"That was absolutely taken out of context," she explained to People. "Things happen, and ... I think rumors become fact very easily. And you know I don't like to tell you what's going to happen on the show - but that is a rumor."

Contrary to rumors on the street, Mickey Rourke has confirmed he's not dating Courtney Love, telling reporters who asked him on that matter that he would "rather be on a deserted island with a gorilla!" than with the female rocker. Rourke was photographed and videotaped on the streets of London on Thursday, February 12 when he made the statement, the footage of which is featured on TMZ.

Rumors of Mickey Rourke and Courtney Love dating were first brought to public's notice by Britain's The Mirror. In a report on Wednesday, February 11, the site claimed Rourke and Love have been secretly dating for three weeks after the actor sent her text messages during the Golden Globes on January 11, asking her to go on a date with him.

Live Nation have denied rumor stating that their people have signed a deal to release Janet Jackson's next album. "We have not signed a deal with Janet," John Vlautin, senior VP of communications for Live Nation, confirmed.

The live events company, which is based in Beverly Hills, California, also insisted that they have never been involved in a negotiation with Janet and her management team over such a deal. "Nor are we currently in discussions with the artist," John emphasized.

Joannna Pacitti's disqualification from "American Idol" Top 36 remains a mystery to many when FOX announced shortly after the telecast of the Top 36 announcement was aired on Wednesday, February 11. While FOX are still mum on that, host Ryan Seacrest is kind enough to spill something.

Attending "The American Idol Experience" opening gala on Thursday, February 12, Seacrest said that there's a link between Pacitti and two executives that the producers don't want to risk. "The producers do the background checks right around Hollywood (Week round). When they see something that stands out, they have to address it," Seacrest told Fox News.

Chris Brown's biological father, Clinton Brown, told People magazine in an exclusive interview that on Thursday, February 12 he has spoken to his singer son, who's been laying low at home. Clinton, nevertheless, didn't disclose on the exact location where Chris is currently staying, insisting "Let's just say he's home. Just know that he's home. He needed some time to get his thoughts together and regroup."

"He's reflecting on this situation," Clinton told People in an interview at his home which is located outside Tappahannock, Va. "He's very remorseful. He's very concerned about the situation and he wants to make sure that [Rihanna's] okay."

A music video to promote Lady GaGa's single "LoveGame" has come out. Directed by Joseph Kahn in Los Angeles in January, it shows her posing naked with two men in a night club called "Haus of GaGa."

"LoveGame" is a self-penned song produced by RedOne for Lady GaGa's debut studio album "The Fame". The track is released in America and Europe on February 13, one day before Valentine's Day as the third single off the effort.

The full length trailer of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" has been screened in theaters on Friday, February 13 in front of "Friday the 13th", and the bootleg version of it has been found. While the two-minute footage still does not give a clear idea on the storyline, it brings out more of the robots and explosions as promised by director Michael Bay following the outing of the film's Super Bowl's spot.

The promotional video also exhibits many new and extended footage, including the scenes where two protoforms slam into Paris and Sam splits a mechanical bug in half, as well as an aerial shot of the transforming RH-400 Constructicon. In the meantime, the official version of this trailer is said to pop out Monday, February 16 on Yahoo! Movies.