March 14, 2008

Spanning more than 40 years of career in music, Grammy-award winning singer Van Morrison returns to simplicity in his 33rd album, to be aptly named "Keep It Simple". For this effort, the 62-year-old has sought spiritual core in the past five years, which result will be showcased on the album that is due April 1.

On choosing the title to his new effort, Morrison explained, "It's just a song about how everything's gotten now so complex and how things have become so complicated and nothing's easy to do anymore." He elaborated further, taking example of the title track. He said, "So the song's a kind of prayer - or what have you - let's hope we can get back to something simple, otherwise, we're screwed."

Following the previewing of "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army" full trailer at ShoWest Film Convention in Las Vegas, a description for the new trailer has been released online. The description of the new video footage has been reported by IESB.

The movie news site noted down that the trailer begins with "an auction where an ancient crown in going up on the block". The scene reportedly showcases a clip in which the auctioneer explains about the item's history and to whom it belonged to. Then, a mysterious white-skinned elven prince appears and steals the crown. The trailer continues with a naration that is similar to the first trailer followed by a clip where Hellboy, Liz and Abe are investigating an old house before being swarmed by fairies.

The Game issued a statement Thursday, March 13, confirmed he was being released from the prison while at the same time apologized for the conflicting reports regarding his status, a prisoner or freeman, earlier this week. The Game's attorney confirmed earlier this week that the rapper was dismissed from his scheduled 60-day sentence after only eight days due to overcrowding at the facility. The rapper's management, on the other way around, issued a statement later that day claiming The Game had been transferred to another facility, thus causing confusion on the star's status.

Put the brake on the conflicting reports, The Game explained, "I apologize for the conflicting news on my release, but due to the sensitive negotiations on this matter I felt it appropriate not to give an exact date on my release." He then went on saying, "I am truly grateful to my attorney, family and management for doing a great job in this respect. Upon my release I went directly to the studio with producers Cool & Dre and recorded several records, including my street record 'Big Dreams.' Thank you to all my fans as well for the support."

The funny man in "Barbershop" movie Cedric the Entertainer has jumped in on the chance to helm a comedy project. According to Hollywood Reporter, the 43-year-old actor will be making his directorial debut with the indie film "Chicago Pulaski Jones".

In the film to be produced by A Bird and A Bear Entertainment, the co-star of John Travolta in "Be Cool" will also act as the film's star. Joining him in the cast are Kel Mitchell, Tommy Davidson and Gary Sturgis.

The star of the acclaimed television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Sarah Michelle Gellar is in final talks to star in independent drama film "Veronika Decides to Die". If signed, the wife of actor Freddie Prinze Jr. will star in the Das Films' movie alongside "Superman Returns" beauty Kate Bosworth, who is attached to the project.

"Veronika" tells a story about a severely depressed woman who finds out that she still wants to live after knowing that her previous suicide attempt left her a few days to live. Adapted from Paulo Coelho's best-seller novel, the film is set to be directed by Emily Young and produced by Sriram Das and Chris Hanley.

MTV is keen enough to help Paris Hilton finding a cool new best friend now that her BFF Nicole Richie is being kept busy with her role as a mother. The network announced Thursday, March 13 that it has greenlighted the hotel heiress' reality show, tentatively titled "Paris Hilton's My New BFF".

MTV has announced plans for 10 episodes of the show which will feature 20 potential contestants battling to prove they've got what it takes to hang with Paris. All the contestants will live together in a house and compete for Paris' affection by proving their loyalty and social and glamor savvy.

David Beckham has "Instinct After Dark", literally. The soccer stud is lending his face and public persona for the new advertising campaign of Coty's new limited edition fragrance, Instinct After Dark.

Intinct After Dark, according to various report, opens with sparkling, tangy-fresh citrus notes of grapefruit, Italian bergamot and mandarin leaf. The middle note is pure elegance with pimento, star anise and cardamom, culminating in the magnetic sensuality of vanilla and white amber.

The former "The Mummy" beauty Rachel Weisz has been tapped to star in an ancient Egyptian epic entitled "Agora". According to Variety, the 37-year-old actress is set to play Hypatia, an Alexandrian astrologer-philosopher struggling to save the collected wisdom of the ancient world.

In the movie by "Vanila Sky" writer Alejandro Amenabar, she will showcase her acting skill alongside Max Minghella, Richard Gere's co-star in "Bee Season". Additionally, the co-star of Hugh Grant in "About a Boy" will be portraying her character under the direction of Amenabar in the helmer's second English-language film following Nicole Kidman's "The Others".

Is widely known as an actress, Rachel Bilson has turned to a fashion designer. The movie beauty is jumping into fashion bandwagon by collaborating with big label DKNY to design a line of junior sportswear.

The line, which is about to be called Edie Rose for DKNY Jeans, is expected to hit stores September later this year. The name actually came after two women Bilson was inspired by as she was growing up.

Will Smith's children Jaden Smith and Willow Smith has reportedly been attached to an adaptation film "Amulet" that is set to be co-produced by Smith via his Overbrook Entertainment. Reportedly, the son and daughter to the "Ali" star will be playing brother and sister in the Warner Bros. Pictures' family adventure drama.

The film that is set to be released sometime in 2010 will be adapted from Kazu Kibuishi's graphic novel. Variety reported that the film revolves around the siblings who were forced to use their late great-grandfather's amulet to help their mother from an underground beast following their move to his home.

Good news are coming from the upcoming X Files sequel "The X-Files: I Want to Believe". Many reported that the filming of the much anticipated sequel to the successful sci-fi movie "The X-Files" has been wrapped up and it briefly ended the secrecy held by the people involved in the film's production as the film's cast and crew themselves on a press conference held at the Sutton Place Hotel, Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 13.

According to ShockTillYouDrop, on the occasion, director Chris Carter has revealed the sequel story will begin six years after the end of the television series. Concerning the storyline, co-scribbler Frank Spotnitz stated that their intention in doing the sequel was not to make a nostalgic film. "We're not doing an exercise in nostalgia to appeal to the fans of the show," he explained. "We saw this as an opportunity to introduce the characters to people who may have been too young. It has a reason for being, even if there'd never been a television show before."

Pemberton Festival has put an impressive line-up for its first ever event that is set to take place July 25-27 in Pemberton, B.C. Among the numerous acts on the bill Jay-Z, Coldplay, Nine Inch Nails, Serj Tankian and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers are announced as the headliners.

According to Billboard.com, the festival is part of Live Nation's production with Good Boy Productions. The latter is the joint venture between Coldplay manager Dave Holmes and Depeche Mode manager Jonathan Kessler. There will be two stages set up to contain more than 50 acts plus a dance stage.

Notwithstanding with her tabloid-scrutinized life, Britney Spears has reportedly been offered a staggering 2 million pound sterling by a Dubai millionaire to perform a dance routine. The Daily Star said that the mother of two is flying out to Dubai to perform an erotic dance for a group of rich sheikhs there.

According to the Daily Star, Pakistani Sheeraz Hasan, founder of celebrity Website hollywood.tv, wants Britney to perform her tune "I'm a Slave 4 U", plus her famous snake-dance, to an elite audience in the Middle East. And in addition to the cash, Britney will also get luxury accommodation on her own private island for the duration of her trip.

Although he's been off the recording booth for his solo album, Damian Marley, the son of reggae legend Bob Marley, is still keen on promoting his contribution in 2007 compilation "Gang War". The Tuff Gong Records release features various artists where Damian contributed in the song "One Loaf of Bread (Something For You)".

A music video has been released, featuring scenes from South Africa and Haiti that were shot using 8mm. The black-and-white part of the video is the one taken in Haiti while the colorful one was taken in South Africa. The video itself was directed by Jason Goldwatch who also penned Jay-Z's "Pray".

Mandy Moore has been caught up in tabloid expose after her mother, Stacy Moore, is being reported by a U.S. tabloid as being romantically involved with another woman. According to a report by the National Enquirer momma Moore is a lesbian and left her former husband for tennis pro Claudette Laliberte.

The same-sex couple reportedly have secretly been dating since 2006 and even set up a home together. The tabloid claims the affair surfaced last year after Laliberte's lover discovered emails between the two women.

Though said to be having a title change, the DreamWorks' animated sequel to 2005's "Madagascar", "Madagascar: The Crate Escape", reportedly still managed to let out a teaser trailer. According to DreamWorksFanSite.com, the unofficial teaser has been attached to the DVD release of another DreamWorks' movie "Bee Movie".

The over two minutes teaser, which can be seen below, begins with a shot overlooking a rain forest, while Ben Stiller can be heard repeatedly saying "Hello, there!" to get the camera attention. When he finally gets in front the camera, he starts introducing the sequel and clips of the new animated pics showcased starting with the attempt of the characters to get back to New York by using wrecked plane.

Sara Bareilles, pop singer known for her hit single "Love Song", will be honored with Vanguard Award by The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). She is also set to perform at the ceremony dubbed the 25th Annual Pop Music Awards on April 9 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

The particular award is given to artists whose music help shape the future of American music. Previous recipients include Arcade Fire, Jack Johnson, The All-American Rejects, Modest Mouse and Beck. The ASCAP Pop Music Awards meanwhile, is part of the association's "I Create Music" week, an entire week of events being held in L.A. to celebrate the voice of the music creator.

The pregnancy rumors that hit Minnie Driver have been confirmed. The actress has during an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Thursday, March 13, confirmed that she's carrying a bun in the oven.

Driver verified her pregnancy after Leno joked that it appeared she was gaining weight from too many trips to the Hometown Buffet. When Leno asked point blank if she was pregnant, Driver responded with a definitive, "Yes, I am," adding that she loves "it more than anything else."

Snoop Dogg has fulfilled his promise to contribute a song for his favorite soap opera "One Life to Live". The rapper who is a self-confessed fan of the ABC drama in fact will make an appearance to perform two of his songs.

Snoop has chosen two tracks "Sensual Seduction" and "Life of Da Party", two singles from his recently-released album "Ego Trippin'" .The rapper is set to make an extended cameo performing the songs at the Ultra Violet club in the town of Llanview, the network announced.

More details have emerged regarding Sienna Miller and Rhys Ifans' wedding talks. The Daily Mail claims that the couple are set to tie the knot on an island near Mexico.

Per report on the Daily Mail, Sienna and Rhys have been planning to hire a private beach resort for a week on the island of Isla Mujeres, eight miles off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. The private resort, which has a large ten bedroom villa, boat ramp and several guest houses, is believed to be owned by Sienna's close pal whom she met on set of a recent film.

Ray J has released the second version of his "Sexy Can I" music video on BET. The song is the first single lifted from "All I Feel", the fourth album of the R'n'B singer who is also known as the younger brother of Brandy.

The new version is made totally different from the first one that was premiered in late January and labeled "Explicit". While the first one was directed by R. Malcolm Jones, the new one is self-directed with additional assistance from RAGE and John Franck.

It appears that Brangelina take the moving-to-France rumors seriously. US Weekly is reporting that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have made an offer on an 850-year-old stone house in Eygalieres, in France's Provence region, thus added fuel to the rumors that they're going to have their upcoming baby there.

Per the publication, Brangelina first looked at the $20 million property in Eygalieres last year, yet lost interest after they were told that Brad would not be given permission to build a motorbike circuit in the five-acre grounds. The official name of the building is Mas de la Chapelle St. Sixte.

Kanye West and his model girlfriend Alexis Phifer haven't tied the knot just yet. A representative for the rap star has slammed Internet reports that the two had exchanged vows last month in a private ceremony in Europe.

West proposed to longtime girlfriend Alexis in May 2007. And when being asked on when they will make their union official, the beauty was quoted at that time as saying "Before the year is up."

After previously only contributing tracks to a film, actor Terrence Howard is going full throttle with his music career. The "Crash" star has landed a recording deal with Columbia Records to release his debut album "A Little Bit More Like Me" this Fall.

According to the label's representative the full name of the project is Terrence Howard Presents Me and The Band of Kings. Reports said that Howard would be singing instead of rapping and have musical backing by the live band.

Posh celebrity couple David Beckham and wife Victoria Adams were seen making a trip to sex store at the weekend to stock up on some goodies. The husband-and-wife reportedly pulled up to the Pleasure Chest adult superstore in Hollywood in their black SUV at around 11 P.M.

"They were very sweet, holding hands, she in jeans and black sweater, he also in jeans and black boots," a source in the know told Heatworld. "David was even carrying a small shopping basket. Victoria was very vocal, cracking jokes constantly, though they seemed to know exactly what they wanted and after asking an assistant where various items were kept, they grabbed what they came for."

Teen R'n'B singer Kat DeLuna has premiered the music video for her collaboration with Busta Rhymes. "Run the Show" the second single from her debut album "9 Lives" (2007) reportedly has two different versions of the video, English and Spanish, but the one pulled first is the former.

She shot the video back in January and its premiere date was set for March 13. While the English version features Rhymes, the Spanish one is expected to feature Don Omar. Interestingly, the album version of the song is featuring none of the rappers but includes a vocal appearance from Shaka Dee.

It appears that Lisa Marie Presley has an extra-special reason to blame the heavy media coverage on her heavier figure. Not only because she's pregnant, but also because she's expecting twins.

Star magazine claims that the singer-songwriter, the daughter of the late King of Rock 'n' Roll Elvis Presley, and her fourth husband Michael Lockwood are expecting twins. The couple supposedly welcome the arrival of the babies August later this year and at least one of the babies is a boy.