March 17, 2008

A preview of will.i.am's upcoming music video for track "Heartbreaker" has been released on-line. The footage is previewed along with the streaming of "The Passions of Girls Aloud", a documentary that chronicles the passion of each of the British band's members outside their pop career.

Member Cheryl Cole, in particular has a passion of street dancing and she hooked up with will.i.am earlier this month in L.A. to shoot a music video where she does the street dancing. "For her documentary, Cheryl was originally just meant to be part of the dance troupe for will.i.am's song - but he asked her to do backing vocals," as source said.

Talking about the upcoming film "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay" at 2008 SXSW Film Festival, writer-directors Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg revealed that there is a big possibility that the franchise will continue. In fact, according to AICN, the filmmakers behind the comedy starring Kal Penn and John Cho may be having a spin-off with Neil Patrick Harris in it.

When asked by the movie news site about the possibility of having a spin-off from the films, Harris revealed his excitement. "Part of me thinks that would be really hilarious just to make up this fictitious back story of my family and that makes me think of Steve Martin in THE JERK, just going really outlandish and then part of me thinks that is just truly jumping the shark, so I don't know," he also told AICN. "When you are spinning off a character that's based on a real person, but not real...I don't know, it might be too much, but if anyone can write it..."

The co-producer to the Coen brothers in "No Country for Old Men" has been reported to be getting the screen rights to a novel written by Richard Price, the scribbler of HBO's "The Wire". Variety reported that the 49-year-old filmmaker has acquired the rights of "Lush Life" together with Miramax Films.

Producing for Price's works won't be the Academy Award-winning producer's first attempt to bring the author's scripts to the big screen. Rudin has produced two other Price's screen scripts, the Golden Globe-nominated thriller "Ransom" and John Singleton's remake film "Shaft". He also had once become the casting director of "The Wanderer", the 1979 Phil Kaufman-directed film which was adapted from Price's first novel.

Has previously been tapped to star in Calvin Klein's Fall 2008 perfume advertising campaign, Eva Mendes is the new face for Calvin Klein Underwear as well. The fashion house, according to WWD, will kick off a worldwide advertising campaign featuring the arguably sexy actress.

On her being recruited as the new face for Calvin Klein Underwear, Mendes commented, "The company has such an incredible creative legacy. I'm honored to be associated with such an iconic, world-class brand like Calvin Klein." Meanwhile, no details have been revealed about the range.

Being rumored to be released in April, Lil Wayne's new album "Tha Carter III" is eventually set on a May date. After many delays since last year, Cash Money Universal Records announced that the album will be released on May 13.

The press release also stated that the first single from the album, "Lollipop" will take official impact on both Urban and Crossover Radio outlets on March 25. In the mean time, the music video for the single which has been premiered on BET last week, is also getting a premiere slot on MTV's TRL today, March 17 and on MTV's "Sucker Free" the next day.

The depicter of Stifler's mother in comedy movie series "American Pie" Jennifer Coolidge has been tapped to star in Rip Cord Productions' comedy "Gentlemen Broncos". According to Hollywood Reporter, the 44-year-old comedienne will be playing the mother of the lead character.

By signing in to play in the Jared Hess-directed film, the co-star of Reese Witherspoon in "Legally Blonde" and its sequel will be joining the other cast members that include Michael Angarano, Sam Rockwell and Jemaine Clement. On the film itself, "Broncos" that is penned by Hess and his wife Jerusha, tells a story about a high school outcast whose story he made in a camp for writers gets stolen by a legendary fantasy novelist. The film is currently in production.

Personal life has collided with music career within Good Charlotte. The rock band fronted by the Madden twins will soon kick off a tour in support of their 2007 album "Good Morning Revival" and instead of a supporting act, they will bring Paris Hilton along.

Hilton who has been making headlines for her romance with guitarist Benji Madden, said that it will be a good idea that she tags along. "We're actually leaving in a couple days for South Africa, so I'll be with him. I'm just happy to be together, so no matter where we are, we'll have a great time," she told People magazine.

Answering to the screening demand from prominent Hindu leader Rajan Zed, the filmmakers of the upcoming comedy "The Love Guru" let out clarification that the movie is not aimed to offend anybody's feelings, particularly Hindu followers and leaders. Further, Punjab Newsline reported that Paramount Pictures have agreed to screen the film for Hindu leaders to clear up the misunderstanding.

In an official statement made on Monday, March 17, the Senior Vice President National Publicity of Paramount Pictures Jessica Rovins revealed that everyone involved are intending to preview the Marco Schnabel-directed film to the Hindu leaders. The statement read, "Along with Mike Myers, the film stars Jessica Alba, Verne Troyer, Justin Timberlake, Romany Malco, Deepak Chopra and Manu Narayan (who comes from a Hindu background). It is our full intention to screen the film for Rajan Zed and other Hindu leaders in the U.S. once we have a finished print."

Another day another denial from another Hollywood public figure. Kimore Lee Simons has turned down rumors she is pregnant with the child of actor boyfriend Djimon Hounsou, claimed all the stories the tabloids publish about her "lies."

The New York Post's Page Six reported last week that the fashion mogul was pregnant with Hounsou's baby. The Post cited an unnamed source confirming the baby news as saying, "She's pregnant". A rep for Simmons had no comment at that time.

Good news continues to pour in for the Harry Potter's fans as the latest reports suggested that "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" will get an IMAX release despite cursed speculations. According to ComingSoon, on Friday, March 14, IMAX Corporation have been announcing that the sixth installment of the fantasy drama adventure film will be opened on IMAX the same day it bows into the conventional theaters on November 21.

Confirming the news, IMAX Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer Richard L. Gelfond stated, "Our release of 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' is scheduled for November, and we expect that as with 'Harry Potter 5,' certain sections of the film such as the finale will be presented in IMAX 3D." He then added, "We are currently working on adding another film for release in September or October and look forward to announcing this addition to our 2008 slate."

The red band trailer version of crime thriller "Pathology" has come out on the web. Let out by The Movie Blog, the restricted video footage runs a short less than two and a half minutes. This trailer version reportedly is much better from the earlier trailer as First Showing mentioned that it gives a better look into the film.

The compilation of the film's scene clips begins with a shot of a band of doctors suited in blue surgery clothing walk toward the camera in a hospital alley. The shot quickly changes to bits of clips showing its leading actor Milo Ventimiglia doing a pathology works. Aside from giving out glimpses of scenes from the MGM's film, the trailer also provided definitions of the word pathology itself which pretty much revealed what the movie is all about. The trailer ended with a warning stating, "No Body Is Safe."

Can't wait to get married and put her troubled past behind her, Kate Moss is said to be "very excited" after her rocker boyfriend Jamie Hince proposed to her. The Kills guitarist is said to have popped the question before he recently left for a tour with his band.

"She has been hoping Jamie would bring up marriage for ages. And now he has she is very excited," so said a source. "Nobody has ever seen Kate the way she is at the moment. She is much happier than she's ever been with any past boyfriend. Jamie is popular among Kate's mates. They think he is a good influence and keeps her grounded."

Eddie Vedder has auctioned his forthcoming concert tickets which proceeds will go to charity. The Pearl Jam frontman who will embark on his first-ever solo tour is raising money for the defense fund of the West Memphis Three, the three men who are tried and convicted for the murders of three children in the Robin Hood Hills, Memphis.

Vedder is also auctioning meet and greet sessions with him beside the concert seats. He will kick off the jaunt that supports his Monkeywrench/J soundtrack to the acclaimed film "Into the Wild" in Vancouver, Canada on April 2 and visit several states in California. More information regarding the tickets log on to PearlJam.com.

Arguably is still very young at age, it's a bad news that Daniel Radcliffe is cancer sticks addict. The movie star has the so-called "20-a-day cigarette habit", leading him to be branded "Harry Puffer" by co-stars on set of the latest "Harry Potter" adventure, called the "Deathly Hallows."

Radcliffe's "Harry Potter" co-stars have warned him to quit his heavy smoking habit upon fear for his health. Their concern is reasonable taking into account that the British actor is getting through a packet of cigarettes a day.

Amy Winehouse has returned to her old habit of canceling a performance without clear reason. The jazz singer pulled out of a gig intended for industry executives at a Universal Music event on March 10 due to unspecified "illness".

She was initially due to play a 30-minutes gig but eventually was a no-show at the Hertfordshore's Grove Hotel performance, citing that she was unwell. The British singer who broke through American market through her 2007 album "Back to Black", was heavily criticized for her absence of scheduled gigs last year. She was subsequently admitted to rehab late last year and made her first public performance at the Grammy Awards in February via satellite from London.

Lily Allen is single no more. She apparently has been mending her broken heart when she was spotted out with her new man on Saturday, March 15.

Allen and her not-yet-identified new man wore almost identical grey tracksuit bottoms and black hooded tops. The pair were seen heading for the Little Georgia Cafe in Shoreditch to eat with friends.

Executives at Big & Rich's record label have come to a mutual conclusion that the recording house will be closed. Raybaw Records, an imprint of Warner Bros Records, has reportedly experienced a string of disappointing sales and therefore has to be closed down.

Although scoring a big profit from Cowboy Troy's 2005 debut album "Loco Motion", Raybaw had to swallow bitter pills in the subsequent releases. Troy, who also released his second album "Black in the Saddle" through the label last year, will switch to become the artist under Warner Bro's label, Billboard magazine reported.

Kevin Federline has nose for eatery business. The wannabe rapper is planning an unlikely business venture with his ex-wife Britney Spears' father, Jamie Spears, to open a Mexican restaurant.

A source told the Mirror that K-Fed is hoping to take over one of his favorite restaurants and wants professional chef Jamie to help him out. "K-Fed wants to take over a Mexican place in LA with him and Jamie as managers," a source told the Mirror.

The 20th Century Fox' comedy animation film "Horton Hears a Who!" opened up strong on the North American three-days weekend box office ended Sunday, March 16 as the film that teamed up comic actors, Jim Carrey and Steve Carell, dominated the theatrical sales chart. According to Sunday's estimates done by Box Office Mojo, the movie adapted from Dr. Seuss' novel has pulled in $45 million during its opening weekend.

Aside from nailing the number one spot, "Horton" also successfully became the film with the biggest opening of the year so far breaking the previous record held by "Cloverfield" which brought in $40.1 million on its debut weekend. Further, though the movie exceeded the film industry expectation for its debut weekend, it still shied from the opening weekend successes landed by the 2000's Dr. Seuss' movie "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" that bowed in $55.1 million and by Carrey's other film "Bruce Almighty" that got $68 million.

Mariah Carey has been confirmed to join the judges panel on American Idol this week. Fox news reported that the appearance is part of the singer's campaign for her forthcoming eleventh studio album "E=MC²".

American Idol, judged by Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, is entering the seventh season this year, with 11 contestants remaining following the elimination of David Hernandez last week. The show often invites musicians from all kind of music genres to sit with the original judges to make comments on the finalists' performances.

The meltdown continues. Madonna's marriage to hubby Guy Ritchie is on the rocks and Internet reports are putting most of their focus on the celebrity couple, claiming they are going their separate ways.

According to Showbizspy, Ritchie's absence from Madonna's induction into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame on March 10 has fueled the long persistent rumors that their marriage is on the rocks. The pop superstar however will wait until 18 months to announce their split. The reason for that is because she needs her peeps to start working on how the press will handle their split.

Carrie Underwood is officially invited to become a member of Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, March 15. The long-running country music radio show will induct the American Idol alumna to the community on May 10.

Underwood who received the invitation from Grammy-winning singer Randy Travis after she sang Travis' "I Told You So," said that she was surprised of given such honor. She said, "I felt like I just won something amazing all over again. The Opry has meant so much to me growing up, seeing people perform and wanting to do that."

Is expected to give birth to the baby she's carrying June later this year, Nicole Kidman reportedly has asked fellow movie star George Clooney to be the godfather of her not yet born infant. Reports say, the Aussie movie beauty is planning to have her baby baptized in the Catholic Church and thinks Clooney is the ideal godfather for the baby.

A celebrity insider told Star Magazine, "Nicole asked George to be her baby's godfather, and he has agreed." No words just yet from both parties though.

Halle Berry is finally a mother. The 41-year-old actress has given birth to a baby girl Sunday morning, March 16 at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, according to reports.

Star Magazine was the first to bring the report to the surface. An insider told the publication, "Halle Berry had a 7lb 4 oz girl at 10:17am Sunday morning, March 16, at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. The actress had checked into the hospital for the second time that day after feeling contractions earlier Saturday morning."