entertainment

Anna Nicole Smith's psychiatrist posts $20K bail

2009-03-17T02:46:00.000-07:00

Psychiatrist Khristine Eroshevich surrendered Monday to face charges of excessively prescribing drugs to Anna Nicole Smith before the former model's overdose death at 39.

Eroshevich turned herself in at the Van Nuys police station, said police spokeswoman Rosario Herrera.

She was released several hours later after posting $20,000 bail, according to a statement from her attorney Adam Braun's office.

After a lengthy investigation by the attorney general and other state and federal agencies, Los Angeles County prosecutors charged Eroshevich last week with conspiring with another doctor, Sandeep Kapoor, and Smith's lawyer-turned-boyfriend Howard K. Stern to provide Smith with thousands of prescription pills.

Attorney General Jerry Brown said Friday that the doctors wrote prescriptions in fictitious names and prescribed unwarranted amounts of highly addictive medications to Smith, knowing that she was an addict.

Brown described Stern as the "principal enabler" in the alleged conspiracy.

Stern and Kapoor turned themselves in last week and were each freed on $20,000 bond.

Braun has said Eroshevich was only protecting Smith's privacy by writing prescriptions in false names and did not intend to commit fraud.

The psychiatrist, who had treated Smith since 2006, traveled several times over six months to the Bahamas, where the former Playboy playmate was living with Stern and wrote the prescriptions.

Smith died Feb. 8, 2007, in Florida after collapsing at a hotel. At the time, she was embroiled in a battle to inherit millions of dollars from her late billionaire husband's estate; her 20-year-old son Daniel had died of an overdose in the Bahamas just five months earlier in Smith's hospital room a few days after Smith gave birth to a girl, Dannielynn.

source :AP associated press

Is Rihanna redoing 'The Bodyguard'? Shades of Whitney Houston!

2009-03-17T02:43:00.000-07:00

Rihanna made a quick trip to N.Y. this past weekend for project meetings, one of which was a remake of “The Bodyguard.”

Rihanna would do Whitney Houston’s role in the update.
“GI Joe” hottie Channing Tatum’s name has been mentioned as the bodyguard

We can almost hear Rihanna's version of "I Will Always Love Chris Brown!"

But that's not all. Rihanna is reportedly also considering a “Charlie's Angels” sequel, as well as possibly starring alongside Justin Timberlake, with whom she released her hit single “Rehab.” No confirmation on any of this, folks.

Hey, gots to get this career back on track, right, RiRi?

Her new album will be released by late 2009. Two new tracks have been cut -- “We Own the Night” and “Pretty Girl Blues.”

But don't look for Ne-Yo's credits on the new album.

“Ne-yo’s been talking about Ri and Chris, which has really hurt her feelings," says the Daily News source. "She thought they were cool with each other.”

Ne-Yo spoke to MTV about the alleged assault: “I spoke to Rihanna. She says she’s fine. She didn’t go into detail about what happened. ... I understand it’s a painful situation; I didn’t push.”

Rihanna also spent time with Jay-Z and his wife, Beyonce, at the Spotted Pig.

The following night, she dined in the West Village at Da Silvano. She wore sunglasses inside the restaurant for the late dinner with five friends and a security guard.

source:The Envelope

Britney Spears Live in Newark: All Eyes on Her

2009-03-17T02:40:00.000-07:00

by Leah Greenblatt

It's been more than a decade since Britney Jean Spears first strode to the center of the big-top ring and became a pop superstar. Does she still have what it takes to hold that title in 2009 -- and make fans forget the tabloid shark-chum of her personal struggles? Her tour, which kicked off March 3 in New Orleans, has already had its share of NSFW scandal and video leaks, but at a stop March 13 in Newark, New Jersey, the 27-year-old star proved she is still, as she coos on the title track of her sixth No. 1 album, December '08's Circus, "a put-on-a-show type of girl."

Openers the Pussycat Dolls provided a maniacally energetic set with hits like "Buttons," "When I Grow Up," and "Stickwitchu," set to much bendy, knee-cap-to-ear choreography; leader Nicole Scherzinger can actually sing live, which is admirable, though when she referred to Britney gamely as "the original Pussycat Doll," PCD founder Robin Antin must have spit out her garter belt. And the near-capacity crowd seemed happy to see them, responding uproariously to Scherzinger's destination-tailored Jersey shoutouts.

After a lengthy set-up time filled by various circus-y sideshow acts -- you've got at least 45 minutes to take a snack- and pee-break, promise -- and a high-camp video intro starring gossipeure Perez Hilton as a sort of deranged, baby-head-chomping Queen Elizabeth, Brit finally hit the stage to near-hysterical applause. And you know what? She looked good. Granted, the mother of two is no longer the wriggling Lolita of yesteryear; she moves a little slower, and sometimes seemed to need a rest -- hence her frequent sit-downs on various stage props. In fact, the show often felt more like a Vegas revue in which Spears appears as the special guest star, disappearing frequently beneath the stage for extended periods (costume changes? Mani-pedi touch-ups? Time-outs for Jayden and Sean Preston? We know not!) while the circus carried on without its ringmistress.

Still, the 90-minute spectacle was tightly choreographed and loaded with sensory effects: dancers dropping from the ceiling like spandexed spiders, elaborate Moulin Rouge-style sets, and flashy, flesh-baring costumes, including a Bollywood-ized take on "Me Against the Music." The symbolism of placing the singer inside a golden cage for the press-excoriating "Piece of Me" was not lost on the audience, though frequent forays into S&M style theatrics a la Sex-era Madonna seemed a little dark for a largely young, female crowd (cue the extended video clip of La Spears, seemingly in the midst of an Eyes Wide Shut-style orgy, writhing to Marilyn Manson's dark-side cover of the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"). The material itself drew heavily from her last two albums ("Radar," "Womanizer," "Freakshow") with a few forays into olden times ("Everytime," "...Baby One More Time") and the JumboTron pulsed out a constant stream of visuals in place of a closeup on the singer herself, likely because she appeared to be lip-synching to a pre-recorded "live" track throughout. Still, is anyone genuinely shocked and dismayed at that revelation? Apparently not; as one satisfied young show-goer put it, "You don't go to hear her sing. You go to see Britney, period."

You've got until May 2 to catch her on tour in the U.S., Music Mixers. Will you go see her? Have you already? Or does the whole idea just sound toxic?

source :EW.com

Models May Lack Height but Not Drive

2009-03-17T02:37:00.000-07:00

More seriously, Cutrone, founder of fashion public relations firm People's Revolution and a regular on MTV's "The Hills" and "The City," told ABCNews.com that the show's producers may have underestimated the desperation some women feel to act out a fantasy they get from watching a reality television show.

"It's sad when people get hurt trying to get a deal, whether at Wal-mart [where a security guard was trampled to death in a Long Island store at the start of the Black Friday Christmas sale] or to be on a TV show," Cutrone said. "It's like a gladiator sport."

Kiara McCarthy, a 19-year-old sophomore at Long Island University, said, "I was sad, truly upset. I don't want to give up, but this definitely set me back a little."

McCarthy has dreamed of being a model since she was 12 but was turned away from many auditions because of her slight stature -- she's just shy of 5-feet-4. She arrived at the auditions around 7 a.m. and stood in line for 10 hours, while her mother and younger sister waited across the street.

From the start, she said the crowd was edgy. Some women had camped out the night before and as the numbers swelled, police and organizers seemed unprepared for the turnout, she added.

With little organization to the lines and women unable to leave their spot to get food or go to the bathroom, tempers flared and scuffles broke out, McCarthy said. When an overheated car began to smoke and backfire on the street next to the line of women, several women yelled "Bomb!" Panic ensued.

McCarthy was standing at the front of the line, next to go in, when "all of a sudden I hear a roar behind me," she said. "All of a sudden people started coming toward me."

She and the young woman standing next to her in line ran just before a barricade toppled over under a sea of women. "I literally got pressed up against the doors," she said.

source :ABC news

Top Model Hopefuls Feel Short-Shrifted

2009-03-17T02:30:00.000-07:00

Melee Interrupted Auditions for Short Model Hopefuls, Crushing Their Dreams
By LUCHINA FISHER

For a brief time, it seemed Tyra Banks, the model-turned-host of the popular CW show "America's Next Top Model," had become the savior for every short woman who ever dreamed of becoming a model. Last month, Banks announced for the first time that her show, in its 12th season, would be open only to women under 5-feet-7, considered the starting height for a model.

"When she [Banks] said, 'Calling all short girls,' I started screaming. This is my shot, this is my chance. I've been waiting for this show to come out since they started the show," 21-year-old aspiring model Jessica Paravati told ABCNews.com.

She was one of thousands of contestant hopefuls who lined up Saturday outside the Park Central Hotel in midtown Manhattan for an open casting call.

After an overheated car triggered a stampede, six women were injured and three people were arrested for disorderly conduct and inciting to riot, organizers abruptly shut down the auditions, leaving the 5-feet-5 Paravati and hundreds of other undersized women out in the cold.
"I'm disappointed, sad, angry, frustrated," she said. "There are no words to describe how I feel. I was just standing there trying to go inside and grasp this dream of mine. I didn't even get to touch it. Something needs to be done to fix it. It's not right."

The publicist for the show said there has been no word on whether the New York auditions will, if ever, be rescheduled.

In a statement to ABCNews, Banks and her producer Ken Mok said: "We are concerned by the events that occurred Saturday afternoon in the vicinity of the New York City casting call for the next cycle of 'America's Next Top Model.' At this time, we still don't know all the details of what happened or what triggered the incident. We appreciate the efforts of the NYPD and will assist them in any way possible in this matter."

Late Monday, Banks issued a separate statement through her publicist:

"To all the Top Model hopefuls who were affected by the New York casting, we are doing everything we can to make sure that ALL the girls who weren't seen, get an opportunity to audition -- we'll update you on our plans very soon. It is so important to me to redefine beauty, and make sure that everyone gets a fair chance to pursue their dream. I am beyond excited for Cycle 13; for the first time ever, young women 5'7" and under have a shot at becoming America's Next Top Model! I encourage each girl to come out ready to rock the runway and show off their fiercest pose. I'm rooting for all of you!"

source : ABC news

India revels in 'Slumdog Millionaire's' Oscar triumph

2009-02-23T11:55:00.000-08:00

By Mark Magnier

Forget the global downturn, the wrangling with neighbors, the traffic jams.

Monday dawned with celebration in India as word spread that "Slumdog Millionaire" had snagged eight Academy Awards, including best picture and best director. "Slumdog is Top Dog!" read a television headline.
Many woke up before dawn to watch the results live given the time difference. And for most, it was more than worth it. This was India's day, a time to revel, to emote and beam with pride as the world's largest democracy swept Oscar gold, and how.

"I'm at work, but if I didn't have to be here, I'd be on the street jumping up and down and shouting," said Mohammed Asif, 26, an employee in a coffee bar in New Delhi. "In spite of the weaker economy, 'Slumdog Millionaire' gives us hope. Maybe each of us can go out and win a million dollars too."

Downplayed, at least for a few minutes, was the debate over whether this was a real Indian film. Whether it fairly depicted India. Whether slums were the image the nation wanted to project. There was glory to be had and more than enough to go around.

"What a day it's been for India!" gushed an announcer on one of the nation's 24/7 hyper-active news channels.

"The winners have done India proud," said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In the Mumbai slums where the film was shot, children broke into impromptu Bollywood dancing, and crowds cheered as neighbors huddled around the available television sets.

Local television gave extensive coverage to the two slum dwellers who acted in the film, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, and Rubina Ali, 9, highlighting their own rags-to-riches journey as they flew from their shantytown to Hollywood for the awards ceremony.

In Chennai, the hometown of A.R. Rahman, the modest, innovative composer who won Oscars for best original score and best original song, supporters handed out candy, ignited fireworks and cut a huge cake positioned in the middle of the street opposite his home.

"Jai Ho," or "Praise Be," the chorus from Rahman's film's hit song, could be heard on many Indian channels throughout the day.

"This is a great moment. After the Mumbai attack, everyone relates to Rahman as an Indian rather than a Muslim," said P.M. Jagannathan, 56, a chemical engineer from Mumbai. "He's doing the job that politicians should be doing -- uniting people rather than dividing them."

Not everyone was overjoyed by the recognition, however. "This is all a big show," said Nicholas Anthony, 47, who runs a video-game parlor in Dharavi, the Mumbai slum where much of the film was shot. "Just walk around Dharavi and spend a day with the kids here and you will understand that 'Slumdog' doesn't represent Dharavi."

Shiv Vishwanathan, an anthropologist based in the western city of Ahmedabad, said the film reflects neither India's own view of itself nor the outside world's view of India.

By successfully combining an English movie, American recognition, the local Indian view and the sensibility of India's far-flung diaspora, however, the filmmakers has managed to unite elements of the Indian mind set in a unique way, he added.

"It's a Hollywood version of a Bollywood myth that's inverted and speeded up," Vishwanathan said.

"All of my colleagues were the same, we were all up early to watch," he added. "Whether it's a spelling bee or the Oscars, we're desperate for recognition. This is good news, everyone wants it, and today we got it."
source :Los Angeles Times

OctoMom's Ex Says He's OctoDad!

2009-02-23T11:54:00.000-08:00

By Lindsay William-Ross

Dennis Beaudoin is married and has two kids, but he's ready to take on more. 8 more, to be precise.

Beaudoin is the ex-boyfriend Nadya Suleman (aka OctoMom). The pair dated in the 1990s for three years, although he admits he believes now she was married at the time. Beaudoin also claimed this morning in a Good Morning America interview that "she asked him to donate sperm and he wants to know if he is the father of her children," according to the Press-Telegram.

"She really wanted to have kids," Dennis Beaudoin said this morning on GMA. "She asked me to donate sperm. ...I thought it was kind of out of the ordinary, but I cared about her so much, and we were in love."

Suleman has said that the same sperm was used to fertilize her eggs for all of her pregnancies, which resulted in her bearing 14 children in total. This possible "OctoDad" believes at least the octuplets are his, but even if they are not, "he would like to help Suleman raise them. He said he doesn't believe Suleman can raise the children alone."

Indeed, if it 'takes a village' to raise just one child, 33-year-old grad student Suleman will need more than just the government aid and disability monies she is reportedly collecting, and the elusive $2 million she wants from the media. Although her PR firm has dropped her as a client after they received multiple death threats as part of the backlash against their choice to rep this unusual mother of multiples, the website they created is still up and accepting donations. Recent reports indicate the Whittier home Suleman, her kids, and her parents live in is facing foreclosure. Beaudoin may soon find his hands full if Suleman accepts his offer of help.
source :laist.com

Oscars 2009: Empty red carpet leaves photographers snappy

2009-02-23T11:52:00.000-08:00

Academy Awards ceremonies cannot please everyone - think of all those losing nominees - yet celebrity photographers are not usually among the disappointed. This year, a fiendish bid by producers to boost ratings by asking certain stars not to enter via the red carpet left some snappers fuming.

Actors and presenters playing key roles in the ceremony were asked to enter via a back entrance so that frock watchers were forced to watch the whole show to get their fill of fashion.

"This is a disaster both for us and for the designers who want their dresses seen at the Oscars," one photographer told industry bible Variety. "Magazines want photos from the red carpet - the stars have spent hours getting ready and they're prepared to pose," said one. "We sell these photos all year."

Jennifer Aniston, Kristen Stewart, Katherine Heigl and Jessica Alba were among those who failed to arrive via the red carpet, although many others appear to have defied the directive.

"I didn't just walk into a store and just find this," said singer-actor Miley Cyrus, referring to a particularly ornate Zuhair Murad gown. "This is not a place to be toned down."

The directive from new Oscars screencast producers, Laurence Mark and Bill Condon, was one of a number of moves aimed at boosting flagging ratings, which fell to an all-time low last year. The pair also brought in Hugh Jackman, the first non standup to host the ceremony since 1987, and even had him performing a crowd pleasing song and dance routine with Beyoncé.
source :guardian.co.uk

Nicole Richie pregnant again

2009-02-23T11:50:00.001-08:00

Nicole Richie is pregnant with her second child, a year after giving birth to a daughter named Harlow, her partner announced on Sunday.

"I am so happy to tell everyone that Harlow is going to be a big sister," said musician Joel Madden on the website of his rock group, Good Charlotte.

Richie, 27, is the adopted daughter of singer Lionel Richie and a former co-star with Paris Hilton of The Simple Life, a hit reality TV show.

She was sentenced in 2007 to four days in prison for driving under the influence of drugs, but spent only an hour behind bars before being released by the Los Angeles sheriff's office.

source :smh.com.au

Winslet latest victim of "Fakebooking" craze

2009-02-23T11:47:00.000-08:00

Miss Winslet, who is tipped to win the best actress award at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles, now also has the accolade of having the most sites devoted to her by internet pranksters on the Facebook site.

One fake account, which claimed to have been set up by Miss Winslet, was closed by monitors after she called Miss Jolie a "fat-lipped crazy cow", according to the Sunday Times.

The newspaper reported that false sites in Miss Winslet's name have overtaken the number created for Britney Spears, the singer, Sarah Palin, the colourful Republican former vice-presidential candidate, and President Barack Obama.

On Friday there were still a dozen Facebook sites claiming to have been set up by Miss Winslet, several with nude photographs illegally lifted from her Oscar-nominated film The Reader.

But they were mild versions of the dozens of often libellous sites that have been removed since last weekend.

In one, Miss Winslet appeared to be engaged in a war of words with Miss Jolie, calling her a "blood-sucking vampire".

A fake Miss Jolie responded: "Now I know why you pretended to forget my name at the Golden Globes, bitch. I'm getting out my favorite [sic] blade and I'll be waiting for you on the red, red carpet."

Some reports have claimed that up to 40 per cent of Facebook's 70 million accounts are fake.

The company has tried to clean the site up by "deauthorising" thousands of entries, in the process managing to delete a handful of genuine celebrity sites, including David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy account.
source :Telegrap.co.uk

Hugh Jackman on Hosting Oscars: 'A Night of Celebration'

2009-02-23T11:41:00.000-08:00

By KATIE ESCHERICH

Actor Hugh Jackman, who will be hosting the Academy Awards for the first time on Sunday, says that he's "excited" about the honor, not nervous. "My acting teacher always said, 'No, don't say nervous, you're excited,'" Jackman told Barbara Walters in an interview to air on her annual Oscar night special. "And actually, that's the truth."

The 40-year-old actor, who was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" last year, will next be seen onscreen in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" this summer. He says that while he likes singing and dancing, his favorite thing to do is act, and he told Walters that he sees all the Oscar-nominated movies each year.

"I love the Oscars. I've loved it since I was a kid," he said.

Hosting the ceremony is "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, literally it may be once," he said, laughing. Asked if there were any stars he's looking forward to seeing on Oscar night, Jackman said he pictures Jack Nicholson sitting in the front row.

"I don't know if he's going to be there, [but] I visualize Jack Nicholson ... hopefully smiling, but you never know," he said, laughing.

He also said he's never met best actor nominee Brad Pitt.

"I'm pretty sure I'll be getting to meet [Pitt]," he said. "I've never met Angelina, either. But I'm not allowed to say that or my wife will kill me, but I'd love to meet her."

Jackman met his wife, actress Deborah-Lee Furness, on the set of the Australian drama "Corelli." At the time, she was a big star Down Under and he was an unknown, but he says his increasing fame hasn't hurt their relationship.

"I want to make it really clear, there is not an ounce of jealousy," he said. "There is not an ounce of competitiveness between us. Deb has only ever had incredibly supportive, excited, sort of, feelings, for anything that's happened in my career."
source : ABCnews

Panettiere, Ventimiglia split reported

2009-02-17T21:44:00.000-08:00

Has Hayden Panettiere found an age-appropriate escort?

Ever since Panettiere, 19, started dating fellow "Heroes" star Milo Ventimiglia, 31, age has been an interesting issue.

Now Us magazine is reporting that the chronologically challenged pair have ended their relationship, due to "a lifestyle conflict. They were in very different places."

Seems he was in that "concentrating on work" place, and she was in that "likes to go out in the Hollywood scene" place.Apparently, Panettiere was also in that "sitting in Jesse McCartney's lap" place.

RadarOnline.com reports that the starlet and the 21-year-old pop singer were spotted at Crown Bar in Los Angeles last week.

"The 'Heroes' actress was sitting on Jesse's lap while he kissed her neck," the Web site says. "Then she got up and did some crazy sexy dance in his lap."

The young are so resilient.

source : chicago tribune.com

Michael Jackson auctions awards, albums, art, etc.

2009-02-17T21:43:00.000-08:00

The King of Pop is lightening his load. At an April auction featuring more than 2,000 personal items, Michael Jackson is set to sell his American Music Award for "Thriller," a velvet cape given to him by his children for Father's Day in 1998, a pair of rhinestone-trimmed socks from 1981, a basketball signed by Michael Jordan and his own original artwork.

The 50-year-old singer is also parting with his platinum and gold records, a customized Harley Davidson and a Rolls Royce limousine.

The five-day sale was announced in December by Julien's Auctions, but the full extent of the items available wasn't known until Tuesday, when the auction house released images of the lots. The auction begins April 21.
source : The assosiated press

In the Moment, or Not

2009-02-17T21:39:00.000-08:00

By CATHY HORYN

Markdowns, discounters and the marketing of designers’ other products, like accessories, have dissuaded consumers from buying expensive clothes. Runway collections are now largely vehicles for promoting a big designer’s image, or helping a new talent get started. You have to wonder then if a significant number of women will care that Donna Karan presented her best collection in years, or that Marc Jacobs channeled his favorite good times, the 1980s.For a while, Ms. Karan has been doing some rather confounding things to clothes, which in essence suggested that she was in a prolonged state of meditation. On Monday, she snapped out of it and showed some terrific clothes. From start to finish (well, almost), this was about as levelheaded a collection as you could expect from a serious designer and businesswoman.

The top note was tailoring: sharp, clean lines in fabrics like a double-faced wool and cashmere blend and stretch wool crepe or tweed. The cosmopolitan palette included navy, charcoal and nutmeg brown, with bursts of scarlet or neon purple. There were few suits per se; Ms. Karan took a contemporary approach and broke up the look, putting a belted jacket — say, in glossy red tweed — over a slinky, below-the-knee skirt in gray jersey. A slim navy wool coat with a mandarin collar paired up with tapered gray trousers. Over the sleeves Ms. Karan added rough-looking shearling gauntlets.

There was plenty of her usual draping, but this time it didn’t look as if the Hindu god Siva had given her a hand. The results were seductive, as when the model Karlie Kloss appeared in a belted gray jersey dress with bare shoulders; or handsome, when a high-neck blouse in rippling nutmeg jersey came out with pleated gray trousers. Either way, the effect was appealing. Another plus in this collection was the relatively natural shoulder line. Extreme shoulders are a recurring fascination with designers, and this week we’ve seen them squared, pinched and inflated like a linebacker’s. Wisely, Ms. Karan didn’t go there.

Mr. Jacobs’s collection was hard to like. It resisted (resented?) the logical, the sober, the prettified. Like a painted lady in a rainstorm, it stood indifferent to the economy. (In at least one respect on Monday night, Mr. Jacobs was all business. His show started two minutes early and didn’t use a set, just a gaudy red carpet.)

The clothes were very much in the spirit of the ’80s, the era of Dianne Brill and Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, when a girl could spend half the day getting her look together. For that reason perhaps, each of Mr. Jacobs’s 60 models had her own look, with hair teased into flips and stacks.

The clothes were equally frothy: teacup silk skirts, a bubbly wool coat in Bazooka pink, satin bustiers with huge fan pleats across the front, metallic peplum jackets and flamboyantly patterned tights. Although kookiness can sometimes be its own justification, there were many desirable pieces lurking in the romp, like glossy black coats dotted with black disks, flowing tunics in murky floral prints and vivid wool caped jackets.

What makes this collection less satisfying than his previous ones is that the visual assault seems forced. We don’t really buy it — and that’s partly because we don’t feel any energy. There is very little sense of enjoyment or relish in the clothes, qualities we associate with ’80s dressing. Maybe that’s something you can only experience once in its true state.

In spite of the grim reports of store budget cuts, this season has seen one or two plainly talented newcomers. Joseph Altuzarra, 25, a former assistant at Givenchy and Proenza Schouler, presented a small collection — his second — on Monday. He said that he has just three store accounts, including Barneys New York and Ikram in Chicago. He was not complaining.
source : The new york times

Although he can cut a mean suit, with little air between flesh and wool, Mr. Altuzarra’s gift is for the soft stuff. He showed delicately ruched dresses in ivory and pale lilac stretch georgette, engineering the fit so that the back was open. What comes through is not his taste, though he has taste, but rather his judgment. Another great look was a one-shoulder tunic in silver lamé, belted and worn over black leggings with sexy booties licked with long black fur.

Tracy Reese sent out a smart collection. There were adorable print minidresses hemmed in black lace, slouchy blazers mixed with flounced dresses, and those mannish pleated trousers in charcoal and pinstripes that suddenly look like money in the bank.

source : The new york times

Celebrating Black History Month

2009-02-17T21:37:00.000-08:00

by Sally Sanderson
Since the beginning of our nation’s history, new movements and old prejudices have been intertwined. Our country paved the way for a new world, filled with democracy, free choice and happier lifestyles while still keeping minorities of our citizens in bonds of slavery, forms of mistreatment and in skewed equality. Now, more than ever, is the time to recognize these facts and take into consideration that we are again changing the world: the bells of equality and freedom are ringing yet again.

The election campaign of 2008 changed the face of the U.S. forever: no more can we say that we are a country of unequal rights and old grudges, but a country full of new beginnings and new hope. It marks a new chapter in our country’s history and a tribute to all who have suffered injustice.

As the nation celebrates the election of its first black President, this February we also celebrate a tradition dedicated to remembering those who have been mistreated and discriminated against in our country: Black History Month.

Black History Month was founded in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson and his organization, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), which, founded in 1915, has the mission to: “promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community” (www.asalh.org/aboutasalhmain.html). According to Wikipedia.com, Woodson originally chose the second week of February to celebrate “Negro History Week” because the week held the birthdays of two important figures in the revolution of black freedom: former President Abraham Lincoln and former slave Frederick Douglass.

As history progressed, February held more important events for the recognition of African Americans as equal citizens, thus causing the celebration to hold not only a week but a month of recognition. Other important events in February included: the birth of W.E.B. Du Bois on Feb. 23, 1868, the passing of the 15th Amendment on Feb. 3, 1870 and the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on Feb. 12, 1909 (www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmintro1.html).

W.E.B. Du Bois was a significant member in the fight against racial discrimination and an equal rights activist. Du Bois was one of the founding members of the NAACP, an organization with the mission to: “ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination” (www.naacp.org/about/mission/index.htm and www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/aa/dubois).

Black History Month marks an important aspect of our culture and history and should be recognized as a celebration of an ever-changing movement for equality and civil rights. To celebrate Black History Month, Michigan Tech has month long programs and activities to participate in. For the next two weeks, these events will be occurring: on Tuesday, Feb. 17 in the MUB Alumni Lounge A from 2-3 p.m. “The ‘N’ Word”, a study of the connotations behind one of the crudest words in the English language, performances of jazz, dance and spoken word on Thursday, Feb. 19 in the Rozsa Lobby from 7-11 p.m. and an open mic coffee house from 8-11 p.m. in Wadsworth Hall on Saturday, Feb. 21. Two presentations made by LTC Otha Thornton and C.S. Giscombe relating to topics of BHM will be featured as well. Thornton’s presentation will take place Thursday, Feb. 26 from 12-1 p.m. in the MUB Red Metal Room 105B; Giscombe’s will take place from 5-7 p.m. in Walker 134 on Friday, Feb. 27. Lastly, African Night 2009 will be celebrated from 6-10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28. African Night includes dinner in the MUB Ballroom followed by performances of dancing and music in the Rozsa Center.

source : LODE

Critic to 'The Real Housewives of New York City': drop dead

2009-02-17T21:36:00.000-08:00

by Ken Tucker

In case you don't get the reference in the phrase above, it's an echo of the famous 1975 front-page New York Daily News headline, "Ford To City: Drop Dead," about then-President Ford's refusal to sign a fiscal bail-out. I second that emotion about The Real Housewives of New York City: I sorta wish the show would expire, fast. Not a chance, of course: Too many of us -- I admit it, I've watched -- cannot resist gazing upon the icky-beyond-belief "real" housewives of New York City, whose new season of crass social-climbing begins on Bravo tonight.

There's a new housewife this season: Kelly, who proves in this clip that she's a deluded exhibitionist and even-more-deluded horse-rider (I'm told by a trained eye living in my house that her form is pretty lame).

Me, I put my hands over my eyes and peek through my fingers at Alex McCord's hideous husband, Simon, and the couple's ramshackle summer rental we're taken to tonight. Of course, there's nothing wrong with ramshackle, especially in these economic times, but the way Simon talks up the house as though it was an idyllic mansion worthy of his slippered toes--it's just too, too much.

But, really, that's the only reason to keep tabs on these squabbling, spendthrift people: to goggle at their cluelessness, their disconnection from the very concept of Reality that Real Housewives promotes.
source : EW.com

Judge rejects Polanski's bid to reopen sex case

2009-02-17T21:34:00.000-08:00

By Dan Whitcomb and Alex Dobuzinskis

Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski lost a bid on Tuesday to dismiss his 30-year-old conviction for having sex with a minor when a Los Angeles judge refused to consider the request as long as the filmmaker was still a fugitive.

But Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza said he would be willing to reconsider his decision if Polanski, who fled the United States for France in 1978 after pleading guilty to unlawful sex with an underage girl, returned to a Los Angeles courtroom by May 7.

The 75-year-old director of such films as "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown, has tried to have his guilty plea thrown out on claims that the now-dead judge in the case was improperly coached by a prosecutor.

Those accusations gained public attention in the documentary "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," in which the prosecutor, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney David Wells, spoke of his contact with the judge.

Prosecutors have long maintained that Polanski has no standing to reopen his case while he is a fugitive and Espinoza agreed. But the judge gave Polanski a small victory by suggesting in court that the filmmaker's claims could have merit.

"It is hard to contest that some of the conduct portrayed in film on that documentary was misconduct," Espinoza said.

Polanski was originally indicted on six charges, including rape, for having sex with a 13-year-old girl after plying her with champagne and drugs.

He insisted the sex was consensual but pleaded guilty to a single count of having sex with a minor, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

source : Reuters UK

Chris Brown Breaks His Silence About Rihanna Incident

2009-02-17T21:32:00.000-08:00

by Jovie Baclayon
Chris Brown says he is seeking counseling from loved ones and family members, one week after an alleged attack against his girlfriend, singer Rihanna.

"Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired. I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person."

The 19-year-old R&B singer issued a brief statement Sunday through publicist Michael Sitrick. In it, Brown also says many of the reports about the incident are incorrect, although he doesn't provide further details.

"Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and/or reported in the media is wrong. While I would like to be able to talk about this more, until the legal issues are resolved, this is all I can say except that I have not written any messages or made any posts to Facebook, on blogs or any place else. Those posts or writings under my name are frauds."

Screengrabs of a fake Facebook page circulated online late last week, but was quickly determined to be a hoax.

Brown turned himself in on Feb. 8 and was booked on suspicion of making a criminal treath, but no charges have been filed yet. He is free on $50,000 bail while the case is being investigated.

On Friday, Brown's father said his son is at home and "very remorseful" over what happened. Rihanna is now at home in Barbados recuperating.
source : E!online

Octuplets' Mom Is 'Not Obsessed with Angelina Jolie'

2009-02-17T21:30:00.000-08:00

By Eileen Finan and Johnny Dodd
Facing public outrage over revelations that she supports her family with the help of food stamps and claims that she is fixated with Angelina Jolie, Nadya Suleman tells PEOPLE that she's turning to "a greater strength" to cope with her sudden notoriety.

The California mother of octuplets says she hopes the media frenzy will soon die out and allow her to focus on raising her eight new babies, born Jan. 26, along with her six older children. "Next week it will be okay," she tells PEOPLE, peering outside at a group of reporters camped in front of her Whittier, Calif., home. "No one will be out there, I'm hoping."

Suleman also rejected claims that she is obsessed with Jolie. "All lies. I have no interest in her. None," she says. "I've never been a fan of anybody famous. Now I kinda have a taste. But it's not being famous – it's being infamous. It's a nightmare."

Jolie's rep said reports that the actress received letters from Suleman are untrue.

Meanwhile, Suleman's mother, who last week in a televised interview called her daughter's decision to implant six embryos "unconscionable," appears to be softening her stance. Angela Suleman, who helps care for her grandchildren, appeared on CBS's The Early Show Monday calling her daughter "a good mother."

"I did [resent Nadya], but you know, you can resent your daughter for just so long, and then you see that she's trying so hard to take care of these children, and she's a good mother," Angela Suleman said on the program. She added that their current living conditions – Nadya and her children all live in a three-bedroom house with Angela – will need to change when the babies are released from the hospital.
source : people

T.I.'s 'Dead And Gone' Video, Featuring Justin Timberlake, Pays Tribute To Friend

2009-02-17T21:28:00.000-08:00

The clip is dedicated to T.I.'s friend Philant Johnson, who was killed in 2006.

By Jayson Rodriguez
The rapper told MTV News that the clip and his performance at the ceremony the next day would mirror each other and "personify the sentiment of the song and capture that [mood]."
His performances at the award show were among the broadcast's many highlights. For "Dead and Gone," Tip entered through a billow of smoke and Timberlake rode shotgun at the piano. Tip emotionally rapped the track's cautionary tale while JT tickled the keys in a melancholy staging.

"Now you gushin', ambulance rushin'," Tip rapped. "'You to the hospital with a bad concussion/ Plus you hit four times but it hit yo spine/ Paralyzed waist-down and ya wheelchair bound."

The Chris Robinson-directed video premiered on MTV Tuesday (February 17). The clip features the two artists in performance scenes outside the California desert, interspersed with visuals of the song's protagonist, an innocent kid who makes a bad decision and couldn't walk away from a fight. At the end of the first verse, he ends up in a wheelchair as a result of the beating he took, just like the lyrics dictate.

Toward the end of the video, the Atlanta rapper drives his car to a crossroad and gets out of his vehicle to meet Timberlake, who's positioned at the center of the road. The song's bridge begins and images of T.I. with his wife, a pastor, and a serpent flash across the screen, as does the word "good." Then images of a prison yard flash along with the word "evil," before the word "redemption" pops up followed by a picture of Philant Johnson's grave.

Johnson — boyhood friend of the rapper — was tragically gunned down in 2006 after a T.I. show in Ohio; the song is dedicated to his memory. Tip spoke at Johnson's funeral and described their bond.

"It just seems like as long as I can remember, he was there," T.I. said of Johnson. "As long as I can remember, his mama and my mama were partners. His cousin and my uncle were partners. His auntie and my grandmama stayed up the street from one another. And we just always knew each other, and it was cool."

source : Mtv

With Four More Months to Make the Switch, Over 400 TV Stations Are All Digital

2009-02-17T21:26:00.000-08:00

By BRIAN STELTER

More than 400 television stations have stopped broadcasting in old-fashioned analog form, according to the Federal Communications Commission, months before the rescheduled transition to digital TV.

Turning off the analog signal allows stations that are short of cash to save money, but it also means a loss of service for viewers who have not yet upgraded their older television sets.

The long-awaited move to digital TV, which promises clearer pictures and more channel choices for over-the-air television viewers, had been scheduled to happen Tuesday, more than three years after the federal government set the day as the deadline for stations to cease analog broadcasting.

This month, however, the government delayed the move until June 12, citing a troubled transition process and a fear that millions of Americans would find that their televisions had been rendered incapable of receiving signals.

Despite the delay, 421 stations, most of them in smaller TV markets, chose to turn off their analog signals Tuesday. When they are combined with the 220 broadcasters that already broadcast solely in digital, the F.C.C. estimates that 36 percent of the nation’s stations will have switched by Wednesday morning.

President Obama signed legislation last week that pushed back the deadline until June and allowed some stations to turn off their analog signals earlier.

Nielsen Media Research estimates that about 5.8 million households, or about 5.1 percent, have not upgraded their sets. Households that rely on rabbit ears and older analog televisions to watch TV over the air need to install a converter box to view the digital programming.

The government’s coupon program to subsidize the cost of the converter boxes is experiencing a backlog; the stimulus bill Mr. Obama signed on Tuesday allots $650 million more for the initiative.

The F.C.C. said it had sought to ensure that at least one ABC, CBS, Fox or NBC affiliate in each market would stay on the air in analog form until June.

In about 20 markets where all the major affiliates intended to turn off the analog signal on Tuesday, the agency pushed stations to keep at least one signal on the air for news and emergency information.

“We are trying to make the best of a difficult situation,” Michael J. Copps, the acting chairman of the agency, said in a statement.

“While this staggered transition is confusing and disruptive for some consumers, the confusion and disruption would have been far worse had we gone ahead with a nationwide transition on Tuesday,” Mr. Copps said.

In major markets like New York, all the major affiliates will remain on the air in analog until June.

San Diego is the largest market where three of the biggest affiliates are turning off their analog signals. In that market, only 7 percent of people rely on over-the-air signals.

“We have been running crawls and stories and spots, everything required by the F.C.C., in great abundance, to try to end whatever confusion there is,” said Ed Trimble, the general manager of KFMB, the CBS affiliate in San Diego.

Most stations across the country are choosing to stay in both analog and digital form until June 12, meaning that viewers will see four more months of reminders to buy a converter box.

“There are still a few consumers who are not quite prepared yet, and that’s why we elected to go with the delay,” said Brent Hensley, the general manager of KOCO, the ABC affiliate in Oklahoma City.

Under the F.C.C.’s current rules, other stations may be allowed to turn off their analog signals in March and June.

Once stations stop analog broadcasting in local markets, the stations are bound to hear from confused consumers.

source : The New york times

Does the Rihanna/Chris Brown Ordeal Lend a View of Relationship Trends?

2009-02-13T00:52:00.000-08:00

by: Kimberly H

Does the drama-filled relationship of celebrities like Rihanna and Chris Brown show a trend in contemporary relationships?

The drama-filled relationship of Rihanna and Chris Brown is just the most current of many Hollywood relationships gone wrong. After this weekend, the skeletons came out of the closet when Brown beat up his girlfriend, Rihanna, and police were called. New reports today state that this was not the first time Rihanna had been slapped around by Brown. So what does this say about people today and their outlook on relationships?

In today's world, celebrity relationships are splashed all over the front pages of the media, and it becomes a big deal especially when abuse becomes part of a couple's headlines. But how many people who aren't celebrities are staying in relationships that are abusive, both physically and psychologically? Sadly, it is a growing concern in today's world, but one that is not addressed until it involves the "famous."

Perhaps one reason that abuse is kept behind closed doors and ignored is because of the implications of being weak, being a victim. But it takes courage to come out and speak up, and now Rihanna is under attack by some who say the attack was her fault. The idea that a victim of abuse could be at fault because they 'provoked' the abuse is ridiculous, but still accepted by some. Put blame where blame is due: it is NOT acceptable to be abused in any form, no matter what, or who, started it.

Why has it become so accepted a practice that abuse has become part of a "normal" relationship? It is sad that people and the media are not more supportive for the victim of abuse. Whether or not the rumors of STD's or being 'too clingy' of a girlfriend are true, it is shocking to read that some fans are condoning and even applauding Brown for assaulting Rihanna. This is an appalling eye opener to the views of some people in today's world. No wonder rapes are not reported, girls say they "fell down the stairs" when they show up with a black eye; they can not be sure that anyone would support them and take their side, let alone believe them.

As Valentine's Day grows near, I urge all those in relationships to evaluate their situation. Has he/she ever hit you? Taken advantage of you physically or sexually when you did not want it? Verbally or emotionally attacked you, putting you down and belittling you? Threatened you or your loved one with violence? If you answered yes to any of the above, I ask you to stand up for yourself and, although emotionally painful, walk away from the situation before it gets to the point where you have to be carried away on a gurney.

source :

Is Chris Brown's Career Totally Doomed?

2009-02-13T00:49:00.000-08:00

by Leslie Gornstein

I reached out to dozens of crisis PR experts today—people who have handled everything from food recalls to child sex-abuse scandals. Their only point of disagreement: Whether Chris Brown's career is finished, over or merely done.

This is no small fall for a guy who, just last year, was named by Forbes magazine as a "celebrity dealmaker to watch." His biggest sin since the alleged crime? Staying silent.

Of course, what actually happened remains to be sorted out in full view of Lady Justice. But PR people universally agree that Brown should have launched his I'm-an-ass apology tour by now, or at least some sort of self-mutilating statement.

Here's the long-shot strategy he should be following...

Police investigation notwithstanding, crisis PR pro Dave Cieslak tells me he that somebody in Brown's position should "admit his unspeakable mistake and genuinely beg forgiveness from Rihanna and his fans, all with tears streaming from his eyes."

And yet there is a very tiny chance that Brown could crawl and scrape his way back into our collective good graces.

How? Focusing on his fans in the African-American community is a good start, image management consultant Goldie Taylor says. "We have a forgiving heart in the community," Taylor says. "It's happened time and time again. We saw it with Al Sharpton and Tawana Brawley, and look at Michael Vick. He isn't done yet."

(Indeed, Vick gets out of prison in July, and his lawyers are reportedly seeking to get him reinstated into the NFL.)

That focus may take the form of a sympathetic interview with Cousin Jeff on BET or giving us a very public come-to-Jesus moment by joining an African-American church.

He also needs to curb any news leaks coming out of his camp, as well as put out his own strong message, Taylor says:

"That his love for Rihanna is unfaltering, that he has undying love and respect for black women everywhere, that he has sisters and watched his mother struggle as a single mom, and that he can't comment on anything directly but that he has great faith in the American justice system.

"But if they keep up with this radio silence," Taylor says, "he's a dead brand walking."

Of course, Brown's own anti-domestic-violence foundation must follow.

Even after all that, don't look for a Chris Brown live tour anytime soon.

source : E!online

Beyonce, Hudson win Image Awards

2009-02-13T00:31:00.000-08:00

By DERRIK J. LANG

It was a dreamy night for a couple of "Dreamgirls." Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson both glided away with trophies Thursday and wowed the audience with individual performances during the 40th annual NAACP Image Awards.

Beyonce, who opened the show with a wind-swept rendition of her song "Halo," won the female artist category while Hudson, who performed "The Impossible Dream" for President's Award recipient Muhammad Ali, picked up the new artist award. They costarred in the 2006 film "Dreamgirls."

"This is where we come from," Hudson said, accepting the trophy. "So it's always an honor to come home and feel welcome and to feel the love. I really cherish this and appreciate it."

Along with Beyonce and Hudson, will.i.am and Seal performed on stage at the Shrine Auditorium ceremony, which was hosted by actress Halle Berry and actor-screenwriter Tyler Perry. The show coincides with the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and kicks off a yearlong centennial celebration.

"The Secret Life of Bees" won for motion picture. "Grey's Anatomy" won for TV drama. Several of the winners were awarded before the live ceremony, including Chandra Wilson from "Grey's Anatomy" for actress in a drama series, Columbus Short from "Cadillac Records" for supporting actor in a motion picture and singer-actor Jamie Foxx for male artist.

Chris Brown, who's accused in a domestic dispute that reportedly involves pop superstar Rihanna, was up against Foxx with Common, John Legend and will.i.am for the male artist trophy. Rihanna was competing against Beyonce with Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey for the female artist award. Neither Brown or Rihanna were in attendance.

Sean "Diddy" Combs picked up the TV movie actor trophy for his role in "A Raisin in the Sun." Other acting winners included Hill Harper for "CSI: NY," Tracee Ellis Ross for "Girlfriends," Taraji P. Henson for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and Will Smith and Rosario Dawson for "Seven Pounds."

The awards honor achievements and performances of people of color in TV, film, music and literature. Former Vice President Al Gore and Kenyan activist Wangari Maathai received the Chairman's Award. Boxing legend Ali won the President's Award. Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons was given the Vanguard Award.

"I discovered that giving made me happy," Simmons said during his acceptance speech alongside daughters Ming and Aoki, who precariously held up his trophy and counted down his remaining speech time. "As you get older, that's the easy route, so it's always been such an easy thing. It seems kinda crazy to be honored for it."

The inspirational evening was accented with praise and appreciation for President Barack Obama, who received the Chairman's Award in 2005 but was not in attendance at this year's glitzy star-studded ceremony. Smith and others used their time in the Image Awards spotlight to show their love for the newly elected president.

"This is a rare opportunity for me," said Smith. "I stand on this stage today after a dream that I've dreamed for a long time because we have an African-American president. As a child, my parents always told me you could be whatever you want to be. You can do whatever you want to do."

The ceremony ended with Stevie Wonder performing his 1976 song "Black Man," which has lyrics referencing historic figures such as Sacagawea and Matthew Henson. During the song, hosts Berry and Perry recited the name-dropping refrain and added another person at the end: Obama. The audience enthusiastically raised tiny American flags in response.

source : Assosiated press

In Deepest Brooklyn, Affairs of the Heart

2009-02-13T00:28:00.000-08:00

By A. O. SCOTT
“Two Lovers” deals with the romantic ambivalence of a young man in Brooklyn, a description that might set visions of mumblecore dancing in your head. But this movie, the director James Gray’s fourth feature (after “Little Odessa,” “The Yards” and “We Own the Night”), is not another low-key, closely observed study in bohemian diffidence. It takes place in Brighton Beach, many subway stops (and sociological light years) from the northwestern sections of the borough, where the hipsters roam. And its palette of emotions, like its rich and somber 35-millimeter cinematography, departs from the hand-held, hi-def, discursive style associated with directors like Joe Swanberg and Aaron Katz, harking back to an older, artistically more conservative film tradition of lush, earnest melodrama.
The story Mr. Gray has to tell (he wrote the screenplay with Richard Menello) is modest in scale, but the feelings that run through it are large and intense. And why shouldn’t they be? The life of Leonard Kraditor might seem ordinary, even drab — he lives with his parents, works for his father’s dry-cleaning business, dabbles in photography — but his desires and sorrows, his fundamental confusion about who he should be, certainly don’t feel trivial to him. Hardly a feckless youth, Leonard is in his early 30s, with a breakup and a breakdown (involving a suicide attempt) just behind him. Played with twitchy sensitivity by Joaquin Phoenix, Leonard is by turns raw and benumbed, at once comforted and smothered by the homey claustrophobia of life with his tactful old-world dad (Moni Moshonov) and his hovering, anxious mother (Isabella Rossellini).

Though it is set in the present, “Two Lovers” takes place in what often feels like an earlier incarnation of New York, a world of lower-middle-class neighborhoods and workaday aspirations that is still very real but that seems less interesting to ambitious filmmakers and writers than it used to be. Leonard’s literary and cinematic kinsmen are guys like Ernest Borgnine’s lonely Bronx butcher in “Marty” and the libidinous, insecure strivers who populate the early fiction of Philip Roth.

Like a Roth hero — and just about every other American Jewish male protagonist from Augie March to Jerry Seinfeld — he struggles with the conflicting demands of filial duty and the longing to strike out on his own. He wants to be a good son, but he also wants to live a life of danger, freedom and impulse. Does he stick with his own kind and risk suffocation, or does he risk rootlessness in pursuit of liberation?

These choices are hardly abstract. They are embodied by two women who contend for Leonard’s attention and affection and who also, to some extent, conform to the ancient archetypes identified by the literary critic Leslie Fiedler of the Good Good Girl and the Good Bad Girl. Vinessa Shaw plays Sandra, the girl Leonard might have brought home to mother if mother hadn’t brought her home first. She’s the daughter of an important business associate of Leonard’s father, and if she and Leonard paired off, there would be advantages all around. Luckily for Leonard, Sandra is also kind, smart, patient and very sexy.

But he can’t help but be distracted by Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow), a willowy blonde who turns up, to Leonard’s amazement and his mother’s undisguised horror, in their apartment building. Michelle is an exotic transplant in the outer-borough soil, filling Leonard’s nose with the Manhattany perfume of sophistication and sexual adventure. She is also needy, capricious and a little unstable, which allows Leonard’s fantasy of escape to be twinned with a dream of rescue. Michelle is the mistress of a rich, married lawyer (Elias Koteas), and she turns to Leonard as a brotherly confidant even as her vulnerability seems to offer the chance for something more.

Structurally “Two Lovers” is a romantic comedy, with complications and misunderstandings accelerating toward a big decision. But while there are moments of humor — and a sublimely witty, almost surreal performance from Ms. Rossellini — the overall mood is earnest and anguished. The picture’s basic conflict is one Mr. Gray has explored before: the tension between the individual spirit and the ways of the tribe. But previously the tribalism has been that of gangsters or cops, and has been worked out through the violent rituals of the urban crime genre, where sentimentality grows out of the barrel of a gun.

It can be argued that with “Two Lovers” Mr. Gray has traded in one set of clichés for another. But perhaps because the conventions of romantic melodrama have lain dormant for so long, there is something fresh and vivid about the way he uses them here. He is also a generous and sympathetic director of actors, and he makes the most of Ms. Shaw’s grace, Ms. Paltrow’s unpredictability and Mr. Phoenix’s odd, intriguing blend of solemnity and mischief. Their performances go a long way toward preventing the movie from becoming overwrought or schematic.

It’s a little of both, to tell the truth. But the flaws in “Two Lovers” are inseparable from its strengths. You could, I suppose, criticize the movie for being too sincere; too generous to its imperfect, self-deluded characters; too absorbed in their small crises and disproportionate reactions. But that criticism might sound a lot like praise.

“Two Lovers” is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian) for language, some sexuality and brief drug use.

TWO LOVERS

Opens on Friday nationwide.

Directed by James Gray; written by Mr. Gray and Richard Menello; director of photography, Joaquin Baca-Asay; edited by John Axelrad; production designer, Happy Massee; produced by Mr. Gray, Anthony Katagas and Donna Gigliotti; released by Magnolia Pictures. Running time: 1 hour 48 minutes.

WITH: Joaquin Phoenix (Leonard Kraditor), Gwyneth Paltrow (Michelle Rausch), Vinessa Shaw (Sandra Cohen), Moni Moshonov (Reuben Kraditor), Isabella Rossellini (Ruth Kraditor) and Elias Koteas (Ronald Blatt).

source : The new york times

‘American Idol’ Semifinalist Disqualified

2009-02-13T00:22:00.000-08:00

By EDWARD WYATT
The producers of “American Idol” had hoped that a new focus this season on the personal stories of the contestants would stem a slide in ratings. But on Wednesday it was one of those personal stories that apparently spawned this season’s first big scandal on “Idol.”

Hours after Joanna Pacitti, a 23-year-old Philadelphia native, was named one of the 36 semifinalists in the show’s eighth season on Wednesday’s broadcast, the producers of the series disqualified her from the competition and replaced her with another female performer who viewers had been told was eliminated.

The producers would not give a reason for the disqualification, which followed a recent report in Star magazine that Ms. Pacitti had professional or personal relationships with two executives at 19 Entertainment, the company founded by Simon Fuller, one of the creators and an executive producer of “American Idol.”

An “Editor’s Note” tacked on to the end of a news release issued shortly after the West Coast broadcast of “American Idol” on Wednesday said, in its entirety: “It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition. ‘American Idol’ contestant Felicia Barton has replaced Ms. Pacitti as part of the top 36.”

Spokesmen for Fox, for 19 Entertainment and for Fremantle North America, which also produces the show, declined to comment further.

Ms. Pacitti attracted attention almost from the beginning of this season because of her previous professional singing career. When Ms. Pacitti arrived to audition before the show’s judges last summer in Louisville, Ky., Kara DioGuardi, who joined the series as the fourth judge this year, said on camera that she recognized Ms. Pacitti and asked if she was the same person who previously had a recording contract with A&M Records.

Ms. Pacitti told Ms. DioGuardi that her contract had ended “a while ago.” “American Idol” requires only that contestants not be under contract with a management or recording company.

Ms. Pacitti was one of 147 contestants — out of the tens of thousands who auditioned — who made it through to the Hollywood round, which was conducted in January but not shown until this month.

“American Idol” on Wednesday showed that Ms. Pacitti twice forgot the words to her songs during Hollywood week performances. Nevertheless, the judges put her through to the semifinals, telling her that she deserved a break.
source : The New york times

Why Are Some People Blaming Rihanna For Alleged Altercation With Chris Brown?

2009-02-13T00:13:00.000-08:00

By Gil Kaufman
If the many media reports about the alleged altercation on Sunday between Chris Brown and girlfriend Rihanna are to be believed, she suffered a serious assault from her 19-year-old boyfriend. While police have not named the victim in the case or released details of the assault, a number of media outlets have cited sources who said that Rihanna was the victim and that she suffered serious injuries.
Brown was arrested on Sunday and booked on suspicion of making criminal threats in what has been described as a domestic-abuse incident that was the culmination of a reportedly troubled relationship with an alleged history of previous abusive incidents.
Based on comments MTV News has received on the incident, a surprising number of people — some of whom are apparently female, although screen names often aren't gender-specific — are blaming Rihanna for the alleged incident.

For example, "I don't think Chris would just a hit a girl like that," wrote reader Nika2hot. "She had to do something or say something out the way for him to really hurt her."

"Blaming the victim has gone on as long as I can remember, both in sexual assault and domestic violence," said Kim Gandy, the president of NOW, the National Organization For Women. "When I started working on domestic-violence issues in the 1970s, women would not come forward because they knew they would be blamed, no matter how blameless they knew they were. Maybe they hadn't ironed his shirt right, or burned the toast, or 'done something' to justify being beaten."

Gandy said progress has been made since then, but the cycle of violence has continued, and in fact, has been on the upswing among teens over the past decade. "You hear teenagers now saying, 'He roughs her up when she gets out of line, but that's how he shows her he loves her.' "

She also noted that sometimes in cases of domestic abuse, even women will fall into the victim-blaming pattern, saying, "These men aren't really responsible, they must have been provoked ... a man wouldn't 'just beat her like that for no reason.' "

While the majority of commenters said they were shocked by the allegations and disappointed by the alleged actions of Brown, quite a few pointed the finger at Rihanna, 20, with a few alluding to unsubstantiated Internet rumors regarding intimate details of the couple's sexual relationship. (Some comments have been edited to correct grammar and punctuation.)

"Despite what we think, there are three sides to a story: his side, her side, and the truth. I don't know what that is, because I was not there," said MizDIva34.

"I don't wanna believe all this .... Chris wouldn't be that type of guy," wrote jb&weezyfan. "Well he doesn't seem like that type of guy ... this kinda reminds me of the Michael Jackson case ... Chris' career may be ruined forever ... just like Michael's ... sooo sad. I love all his songs. Well I'm still gonna support him. I just don't believe it ... until he says it ..... cause Rihanna is a ***** .. well she looks like one anyways."

While Rihanna has gotten an outpouring of support on her official MySpace page and Brown has gotten similar messages on his, some of the people posting on Brown's page and a few MTV readers were even harsher in their indictment of the alleged victim in the case.

Another reader, "Zjera_Boo," wrote, "If what I hear is correct and Rihanna gave chris an STD, then she needed it, but they are right he is only human." Also alluding to the Internet rumors, "Boogababe" added, "You guys seem to be forgetting the real reason why he did it in the first place ... He did that coz he was mad * a girl he trusted and which he was with ... which turned around to put his life in jeopardy by infecting him with an STD???!!!?? Comm'on guys Rihanna had what was coming to her...Brusies can heal ova some time but putting your health on the line like that is hectic!"

In keeping with what Gandy said was the typical pattern of victim scapegoating, "Alissa" argued, "Rihanna must have provoked it in some way, that still does not give Chris the right to do what he did so in the end, who's really to blame? They're both super young and need to remember who they were before the fame and who they are now."

Candice Hopkins, director of the Love is Respect Helpline, a national teen dating abuse hotline was not necessarily surprised at the large number of negative comments from females.

"Young people are not necessarily told what a healthy relationship looks like, so they're not sure if someone could or could not be abusive ... what is the line?" she told MTV News. "Domestic violence has been going on for so long, and it's such a part of our culture, on TV and in movies, that it's easy to say, 'She must have done something to deserve it.' "

Hopkins said there might also be a bit of a star factor that is influencing some of the young women calling out Rihanna. "There's a percentage who don't want to believe that this young man who has spoken out against domestic violence and seems to have a positive message can seem as abusive as this incident seems," she said.

And while Brown has not been charged with domestic abuse at press time, Gandy said the incident is an opportunity to talk about what men and women can do to avoid these types of situations in the future.

"It's awfully important for men to be involved in this," she said. "I talk with a lot of men about the joking and banter that goes on [about domestic abuse] and even when they're uncomfortable with it, they don't want to say anything because they don't want to be seen as a stick in the mud. But they need to stand up and say, 'Don't talk about a girl like that, that's not cool.'

"If your buddy is talking about doing something, you can't let it go," she continued. "You have to say, 'Hey, that's wrong. Why would you do that?' It's much easier to not say anything. But when you say it out loud you might get a bad reaction, but maybe he thinks twice about it if he knows his buddies are not backing him up."

source : Mtv

Britney Spears threatens to stop the 'Circus' if kids can't go on tour

2009-02-04T00:29:00.001-08:00

By ISSIE LAPOWSKY

Britney Spears is reportedly threatening to cancel her comeback tour unless she can bring her two sons on the road with her.

What's stopping her? Kevin Federline's lawyers.

The pop star, her ex and dad Jamie crafted a plan that would enable Brit to go on tour with her kids, but it was quickly thwarted by Federline's legal team, TMZ.com reports.

Sources say Federline's lawyers weren't thrilled with the deal, which stated that the former couple's sons Sean Preston and Jayden James would divide their time between New Jersey, New Orleans and Los Angeles while Spears tours the country.

Spears also reportedly promised to pay K-Fed more than $4,000 for every week she was on tour and pay for his housing in all three locations.

K-Fed's team disapproves of the deal, but won't say why they insist on blocking the agreement.

Mark Vincent Kaplan, one of Federline's lawyers tells TMZ that the plan could have been handled better if the Spears would have "manned up" and allowed Federline's team to be involved from the get-go.

The controversy is the first public roadblock in months in the former couple's seemingly smooth joint parenting. The exes now share nearly 50/50 custody.

source : Daily News

Madonna and Britney Spears both touring Australia this year

2009-01-28T21:06:00.000-08:00

By Kathy McCabe
IT'S back on again: Madonna is expected to tour Australia in September.

Now the dust has settled on her divorce, her Madgesty confirmed on her website yesterday she was extending the Sticky And Sweet world tour, The Daily Telegraph reports.

While the official statement confirms she is "looking forward to an amazing summer in Europe", prospective concert dates in Japan and Australia were leaked on her international promoter's site before being quickly pulled.

But not before they were sighted by eagle-eyed fans, who posted the dates on fan blogs.

The leaked itinerary featured four Australian concerts with Madonna scheduled to perform at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on September 26.

A Madonna show at Melbourne's Telstra Dome has been pencilled in for September 29 and is tipped to be confirmed this week.
The Telstra Dome date - a Tuesday - would not clash with the venue's AFL commitments.

Fans may have to shell out $150 for the cheapest seats, given the falling Australian dollar and Madonna's high production costs.

Seats closest to the stage could sell for as much as $400.

The website also listed shows in Brisbane and Perth, as well as Europe and Japan, before being swiftly removed.

The last time Madonna performed in Australia was for the 1993 Girlie Show tour at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Also leaked and then removed from the same Live Nation website were details of the next leg of Britney Spears' world tour - and it looks like the comeback pop princess and Madonna will both be in Australia in September.

Spears was slated to perform three concerts at Sydney's Acer Arena - right next door to the ANZ Stadium where Madonna is booked.

While their proximity would fuel a frenzy of speculation about cameos at each other's shows, it is unlikely Madonna or Spears' jam-packed schedules would allow for an Australian duet.

Local fans and promoters have been willing the dollar to improve to safeguard Australia as a must-do destination on the international touring circuit for the huge stadium acts.

With sales of more than 400,000 tickets for more than 40 shows, Pink has singlehandedly demonstrated that music fans here are determined to be entertained despite hard economic times.

Rock fans remain optimistic that AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen, Metallica and U2 also add Australian legs onto their international tours this year.

source : news.co.au

LIl WAYNE AT COX: Electrifying, erratic

2009-01-28T21:03:00.000-08:00

Lil Wayne wants to be a rock star in a really big way.

Never mind that the man born 26 years ago in New Orleans as Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. is already the most popular and prolific hip-hop star in the land. And never mind that he scored the best-selling album of 2008 in any genre with "Tha Carter III," which sold nearly 3 million copies and earned him a field-leading eight Grammy Awards, including one for Album of the Year.

Because Weezy, as he is fondly known by fans, clearly has his eyes set on a more rocky path, in both senses of the word. Accordingly, his eye-popping concert Tuesday night at SDSU's Cox Arena featured enough explosions and bursts of flame to rival Metallica's sold-out show at Cox in December.

There was so much pyrotechnic razzle-dazzle at times, on stage and on the multiple LED and video screens behind and above it, that the titles of at least two of the songs Wayne energetically performed -- 1999's "Da Block Is Hot" and 2005's "Fireman" -- almost seemed redundant.

Moreover, rather than simply relying on a record-spinning DJ or two to produce his live musical accompaniment, as has long been de rigueur for most rappers on stage, he also featured a hard-rocking four-piece band that was ably anchored by Elephant 6/Gnarls Barkley bassist Heather McIntosh.

And, rather than have the band almost completely hidden from view, as Kanye West opted to do on his 2008 "Glow in the Dark" tour, Wayne had his four band members and DJ each perform on separate metal platforms that could rise as high as 20 feet above the stage.

This enabled all five to drop down or rise up, sometimes several times during the same song. It was a novel approach that was alternately inviting and distracting, initially clever but less interesting and effective as the show progressed.

The same might be said of Wayne, who was by turns riveting and indulgent, electrifying and erratic, on the second-to-last date of his modestly titled "I Am Music" tour. His performance followed a lively turn by the rap-rock band Gym Class Heroes, two songs by East County's Dago Braves and an energetic but inconsequential 14-minute set by the unbilled El Cajon Tex, the Dago Braves' protege.

Wayne, who only a year ago was headlining the 1,000-capacity House of Blues nightclub in downtown San Diego, exuded charisma from the moment he popped out --. literally --. from beneath the stage.

At his best, the diminutive rapper easily held the rapt attention of the enthusiastic audience of 6,800 at Cox, which holds twice as many when full. He opened strongly with "Mr. Carter" and "Money On My Mind." He concluded with the rousing "A Milli," on which he rapped behind a cannonlike flamethrower before showing a clip from the Martin Lawrence sitcom "Martin," after which Wayne sang the chorus of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You."

The problems came in between, especially when Wayne left the stage several times to change clothes. It was a momentum-killing move, especially since the lulls were taken up by, in order, a dance sequence, an array of at best so-so acts signed to Wayne's Young Money record label, and a DJ set.

Wayne happily shared the stage for vocal duets with Keri Hilson and Drake,
who both crooned with unconvincing results. He twice "played" an electric guitar, but it was inaudible. And he debuted "Prom Queen," a sub-marginal song from his upcoming first "rock" album, which was so lame as to suggest that Lil Wayne might do well to count his blessings as a rapper -- and simply leave it at that.

source : street

Dreamspace artist was 'negligent'

2009-01-28T20:23:00.000-08:00

Two women killed when an inflatable artwork flipped over in a County Durham park died as a result of the creator's negligence, a court has been told.

Maurice Agis is accused of manslaughter and a breach of the Health and Safety Act following the Dreamspace incident in Chester-le-Street in July 2006.

The 77-year-old, of Bethnal Green, east London, denies all charges.

Newcastle Crown Court was told that in 1986 another of his artworks broke free from its moorings during strong wind.

Prosecutor Paul Sloan QC told the jury at Newcastle Crown Court that Mr Agis was guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence.

He said the artist was "well aware" of the dangers that strong gusts of wind posed to Dreamspace.

The sculpture was set up on 18 July by Mr Agis and event organisers Brouhaha International, and secured by ropes attached to metal pegs hammered into the ground.

On 23 July, the day of the incident, an employee of Brouhaha reported to Mr Agis that the left-hand side of the structure had lifted up while she was inside it.

Another employee later noticed that the wind was getting underneath and lifting it up several feet.

Mr Sloan said that the normal procedure in such a case was to evacuate the structure immediately, and an evacuation began.

But Mr Agis, having taken a look, said that it was all right for members of the public to re-enter.

"He did, however, instruct two Brouhaha International employees to attach some more ropes to pegs around the structure," Mr Sloan said.

"They put some extra ropes at the front, to the left of the entrance, and along the left-hand side of the structure.

"They were then interrupted by the defendant, Maurice Agis, who told them to resume duties at the entrance dealing with members of the public, so that he and his partner could enjoy a refreshment break.

"As a result, no additional ropes and pegs were attached to the rear of the structure."

The artwork was lifted into the air at about 1530 BST that afternoon.

Claire Furmedge, 38, from Chester-le-Street and 68-year-old Elizabeth Collings, from Seaham, died and 13 people were hurt.

The jury was also told that at an earlier hearing, Chester-le-Street Council and Brouhaha International admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974.

source :BBC news

'Thriller' director sues Michael Jackson

2009-01-28T20:14:00.000-08:00

By ANTHONY McCARTNEY

Director John Landis sued Michael Jackson and a Broadway producer on Wednesday, claiming the pair lack the proper rights to adapt a stage production based on "Thriller."

Landis, who co-wrote and directed the groundbreaking music video, sued the pop star and producer James L. Nederlander's company over the possible show. Nederlander announced earlier this week that it had acquired the rights to "Thriller" and songs from Jackson's blockbuster album of the same name.

Landis' lawsuit seeks a judge's order that Jackson lacks the adequate rights to transfer to Nederlander, and that the producer doesn't have the authority to create a stage show based on the video or documentary that Landis directed.

Landis' attorney, Miles J. Feldman, said the director would seek to stop the show "if it becomes necessary."

Phone messages seeking comment from Nederlander and a New York attorney who has represented Jackson were not returned Wednesday.

Landis claims Jackson, who recently moved back to Los Angeles, was paid more than $400,000 for the rights Landis owns.

Wednesday's lawsuit came days after the "An American Werewolf in London" director sued Jackson, claiming he hadn't been paid royalties on "Thriller" for at least four years.

Landis is personally suing Jackson over the Broadway production; the suit over royalties is on behalf of his company, Levitsky Productions Inc.

The earlier suit states Landis is owed 50 percent of profits from "Thriller" projects and alleges Jackson continues to license rights to video games, toys and comic books based on the 14-minute music video and a documentary. The lawsuit also seeks an accounting of the video's profits.

source :AP Associated press

Springsteen lightens music for Obama era

2009-01-28T20:02:00.000-08:00

By Walker Simon

After years of excoriating the Bush administration for what he believed was the hijacking of American values and ideals, Bruce Springsteen is welcoming the Obama era with a noticeably lightened tone, both political and musical.

Springsteen's "Working On A Dream" album, released a week to the day after President Barack Obama's inauguration, turns inward and addresses relationships and aging in lush arrangements with a sound evocative of classic 1960s pop music.

"In terms of lyrics, it's a much more personal album, focusing on themes like romance and maturity rather than expressing outrage sparked by government policies," said Entertainment Weekly music critic Simon Vozick-Levinson.

The album stands in stark contrast to 2007's "Magic," on which he railed against the war in Iraq and the erosion of civil liberties. Touring for that album, he told fans that America was now known for voter suppression and illegal wiretapping.

"MOMENT OF OPTIMISM"

The new album isn't the only thing to raise the Boss's profile lately. Springsteen appeared at Obama's pre-inaugural concert, won a Golden Globe award for the title song for independent film The Wrestler, and will be the halftime act at Sunday's Super Bowl.

Experts say the new record and more relaxed approach to politics is simply a reflection of the changing times.

source : BBC news

Tuesday’s Idol: Kara vs. Simon!

2009-01-21T10:43:00.000-08:00

where Katharine McPhee was awarded the golden ticket that changed her life. But the hour was dominated by the judges, in particular by Simon and frosh player Kara DioGuardi. A rapid montage showed them sniping through one audition after another. It was a fairly even match, unlike Simon versus Paula, which is more like Roger Federer against a chipmonk.

Kara (frustrated by one of Simon’s decisions): “You have a heart of COLD.” Simon (unmoved): “I have a REALISTIC heart.”

It reached a peak of sorts with the bizarre audition of Akilah Askew-Gholston , 26, who came with sheaves of tattered charts and illustrations of a singer’s anatomy. She hung on for so long — one might say Simon allowed her to hang on — Kara finally hugged her and gently but firmly shoved her in the direction of the door. Then she turned on Simon: “How can you yell at certain people and then certain people you let run on?”

Because it creates tension! Drama! Humor! Pathos!

Just twelve golden tickets were inevitably issued, but there wasn’t much footage from the truly successful auditions. Standouts:

Best: Adam Lambert, 26. After the musical-theater performer sang “Bohemian Rhapsody,” there was discussion among the judges whether his is the right voice for Idol — but in Paula’s opinion, “He’s the best we’ve seen.” (He, by the way, said he’d seen her in concert when he was 10.)

Sweetest: Kai Kalama, 26. The musician has deliberately slowed his career to care for his ailing mother, who has a seizure disorder. The judges liked his voice but thought his stage presence was a bit sheepish. “Watch me,” suggested Simon, for pointers on confidence. Yes, that would help.

Unlikeliest: Tatiana del Toro, 23. The singer, who presented the judges with her very own press kit, came on way too strong, and laughed manically, which is never good. She was one of those rare auditions so overbearing they end up getting you to root for them — which seemed, overall, to be what the judges were thinking too. – Tom Gliatto

source : People TV watch

For TV’s Newest Crime Fighter, the Lips May Lie, but the Face Tells the Truth

2009-01-21T10:40:00.000-08:00

By GINIA BELLAFANTE
During the past decade, Fox has rarely been the place to go looking for the lessons in collectivism manifest on series like “The Unit” and “Lost” and “Law & Order,” all of which pay tribute to collaborative problem-solving on networks not owned by Rupert Murdoch. Fox doesn’t smell like team spirit. It is a Randian territory of lone saviors (Jack Bauer, John Connor, Gregory House) bushwhacking through impending catastrophe with the weaponry of a singular genius.
The latest addition to the stable is the human polygraph Dr. Cal Lightman (Tim Roth). His gift is determining the criminality of white supremacists, wayward teenagers, Congressional ethics committee chairmen and any and all dubious-seeming Homo sapiens on the basis of shifting body language — “micro-expressions” — which has the effect of turning him into a one-man F.B.I.-municipal police force-Department of Homeland Security on the new series “Lie to Me” (beginning Wednesday).

In addition to his law enforcement efforts, Lightman appears to be a hot ticket on the lecture circuit, where he offers a delicious flashback pageant of public impropriety and heinous misconduct, producing PowerPoint images of Kato Kaelin, O. J. Simpson, Eliot Spitzer, Saddam Hussein, whose sneers and sniggers and pursed lips he has studied like a rabbinical student hunkering down with the Book of Job.

Lightman himself is a fruit basket of stereotype — cocky, infallible, petulant, divorced, burdened by his proficiencies — who has spent decades reading faces and pronouncing certainties: “If your suspect is surprised for more than one second, he is faking it.” The show further embeds the network’s individualist ideologies with a view that suggests private industry can always go the government suits one better. No line item for the Office of Management and Budget, Lightman operates under the auspices of his own consulting firm, the Washington-based Lightman Group, which the feds reluctantly seek out when they are tripped up, presumably by their own inexorable incompetence.

The government minions forced to deal with Lightman on the ground swallow the idea like children forced to take castor oil. “Personally, I think what you do is a joke,” one of them lets him know. But Lightman has his own minions, and thus his own devotees, the people who work for him in his all-white-and-steel, airy-truth-palace of an office. Chief among them is Gillian Foster (Kelli Williams), a behavioral analyst saddled with the task of speaking in earnest exposition and made not to drink Lightman’s Kool-Aid so much as gulp it from the tap.

“Lie to Me” is an invitation to follow her lead, and in some sense it isn’t all that easy to decline the offer. There is an appealing cheekiness to the show’s insistence on dressing up hunch work as the purview of serious science. And there is some legitimacy to the claim: the series is based on the research of Paul Ekman, a professor of psychology at the University of California, San Francisco, who is a specialist in nonverbal communication and what his publishers call deception strategies.

Nancy Drew was pretty good at breaking down deception strategies, too. So was Reese Witherspoon in “Legally Blonde.” Throughout the history of modern popular culture we’ve gone in and out of defining female intelligence in terms of intuitive displays. I’m not sure what it means that television’s reigning intuitionists are now male (Lightman joins the strike force of Adrian Monk and “The Mentalist’s” Patrick Jane). And I’m not sure whether the regendering is a democratizing net positive for feminism or whether we should take offense that women’s intuition translates somewhere along the spectrum of cute while its male counterpart is meant to suggest the power of a mind brilliantly deducing.

Against my better judgment, I suspect I’ll keep watching “Lie to Me” until I figure it out.
source : The New york Times

Real life adds drama to 'The Beast'

2009-01-14T15:17:00.000-08:00

By Matthew Gilbert

It's hard indeed to talk about "The Beast" without talking about Patrick Swayze's illness. For months now, promotion for the new A&E cop drama has been inextricably bound up with news articles about Swayze's pancreatic cancer and his energy level on the set. The show has become a gateway for fan sympathy and for morbid curiosity, as we scan Swayze's face for sunken cheeks and a protruding jaw line.

I tried to watch "The Beast" as a thing-in-itself, to keep the onscreen and backstage separate. And it was next to impossible. Turns out the Swayze narrative is as much a part of the value of "The Beast" as Mickey Rourke's personal redemption tale is in his movie "The Wrestler." The show, which premieres tonight at 10, gives us an actor in a life-threatening situation playing a weary but driven FBI agent who flirts with death every day. The resonance is inescapable.

As the cool Charles Barker, Swayze seems to bring a new aura of authenticity to his screen persona. For the first time, I could imagine him eventually following the veteran career path of a Clint Eastwood or a Tommy Lee Jones, all haggard dignity and earned wisdom. Barker is written as the stereotypical rogue cop who crosses the line into illegality, but Swayze's presence is complex enough to add mystery and weight that aren't in the script. He's a lot more compelling than he should be, given the show's profusion of stock, crime-time lines about making choices and getting the job done.

Really, take Swayze and his gravitas out of the picture, and "The Beast" is a mediocre series that would probably lurk on the cable TV lineup without much notice. It's a sidewalk knock-off of "The Shield," lousy with genre cliches and sometimes baffling plot logic. The show's parade of drug dealers, mobsters, and humorless cops is straight out of central casting. To distract us from the uninspired storytelling, producer-creator William Rotko leans heavily on grim Chicago atmosphere, which only serves to push the wannabe gritty realism into oppressive unrealism.

"The Beast" is also undermined by an uneven costarring performance by Travis Fimmel, who plays Ellis Dove, a rookie agent teamed with Barker. Fimmel, a former model who starred in the short-lived WB series "Tarzan," has potential as a dramatic actor, but he doesn't seem quite ready to navigate the character's ambivalences. As the victim of Barker's hazing, forced to get his partner coffee and bring the car around, he captures the humor of the situation. But in the more dramatic scenes, when his cover is challenged by a bad guy or when his loyalty to Barker is tested, he just seems to be randomly emoting, without much specificity.

There are hints in the first two episodes of "The Beast" that a serial plot involving Barker will gain momentum as the season progresses. Let's hope the writers veer in that direction, which is more promising than the villain-of-the-week material. Swayze has shown up, and this time he has come to act.

source : Boston.com

'Fantasy Island' Star Ricardo Montalban Dies at 88

2009-01-14T15:12:00.000-08:00

By BOB THOMAS

Ricardo Montalban, the Mexican-born actor who became a star in splashy MGM musicals and later as the wish-fulfilling Mr. Roarke in TV's "Fantasy Island," died Wednesday morning at his home, a city councilman said. He was 88. Montalban's death was announced at a city council meeting by president Eric Garcetti, who represents the district where the actor lived. Garcetti did not give a cause of death.

"What you saw on the screen and on television and on talk shows, this very courtly, modest, dignified individual, that's exactly who he was," said Montalban's longtime friend and publicist David Brokaw.

Montalban had been a star in Mexican movies when MGM brought him to Hollywood in 1946. He was cast in the leading role opposite Esther Williams in "Fiesta," and starred again with the swimming beauty in "On an Island with You" and "Neptune's Daughter."

But Montalban was best known as the faintly mysterious, white-suited Mr. Roarke, who presided over a tropical island resort where visitors were able to fulfill their lifelong dreams — usually at the unexpected expense of a difficult life lesson. Following a floatplane landing and lei ceremony, he greeted each guest with the line: "I am Mr. Roarke, your host. Welcome to Fantasy Island."

The show ran from 1978 to 1984.

More recently, he appeared as villains in two hits of the 1980s: "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan" and the farcical "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad."

Between movie and TV roles, Montalban was active in the theater. He starred on Broadway in the 1957 musical "Jamaica" opposite Lena Horne, picking up a Tony nomination for best actor in a musical.

He toured in Shaw's "Don Juan in Hell," playing Don Juan, a performance critic John Simon later recalled as "irresistible." In 1965 he appeared on tour in the Yul Brynner role in "The King and I."

"The Ricardo Montalban Theatre in my Council District — where the next generations of performers participate in plays, musicals, and concerts — stands as a fitting tribute to this consummate performer," Garcetti said later in a written statement.

source : ABC news

'Sopranos' star James Gandolfini joins Broadway mob

2009-01-13T08:01:00.000-08:00

by :Joe Dziemianowicz

James Gandolfini is famous for playing a Tony.

A new role could win him one.

Producers of "God of Carnage" said the "Sopranos" heavy will star in the play by Yasmina Reza ("Art"), which begins previews on Feb. 28. It opens March 22 at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre.

The plot involves two married couples who meet to talk after their boys get into a playground brawl.

Don't expect polite conversation from Gandolfini or his three castmates - Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis and Marcia Gay Harden, none of whom were in last year's London staging.

Press notes describe the play as "a comedy of manners without the manners."

No doubt all that bad behavior as crime boss Tony Soprano and in film roles, such as the sadistic enforcer in "True Romance," will come in handy.

"Carnage" marks Gandolfini's return to Broadway after 14 years. He made his debut there in a small part in "A Streetcar Named Desire" in 1992 and appeared three years later in "On the Waterfront."

That was four years before "The Sopranos" debuted and catapulted the burly Gandolfini into a superstar with an ardent fan following.

The three-time Emmy winner joins Broadway's ever-expanding list of TV and film stars whose celebrity is a draw for audiences that might not typically come to the theater.

Julia Roberts' stardom offset soggy notices for "Three Days of Rain" in 2006. Katie Holmes proved bankable in the just-ended "All My Sons."

And before he suddenly left "Speed-the-Plow," citing mercury poisoning from eating too much sushi, Jeremy Piven helped sell tickets to the Mamet revival.

The Piven incident could be a lesson to Gandolfini: Swim with the fishes. Just don't eat them.

source : Daily News

Spectral Irish singer Lisa Hannigan steps out of the shadows

2009-01-13T07:30:00.000-08:00

Lisa Hannigan started her recording career as a ghost. She hovered around the edges of songs written and performed by one of Ireland's most promising young stars, Damien Rice, haunting his music with her spooky, wounded moans.

Hannigan made the ideal companion for Rice, who's not exactly a party animal himself. She even sang the first and last lines on Rice's latest CD (late 2006's "9"), framing his sullen phrases with her own broken cries.

Yet anyone entranced by Hannigan's sound had to eventually wonder: Could a singer who merely roamed the edges of a song ever hold its center? Could a cameo artist become a star?

Hannigan probably had to pose the question to herself sooner, and more urgently, than she would have wanted. Two years ago, Rice fired her from his band without warning and with little explanation - at least not one Hannigan has offered to the press.

Now she's making the case for her own talents on her solo debut, "Sea Sew." Happily, it not only proves Hannigan worthy of the star slot, it places her firmly in the company of a whole clique of emerging young Irish acts, from the Frames to the Thrills to Bell X1 to a project called Cake Sale, which involves members of all three.

Listeners drawn to Rice's hesitant, acoustic ballads won't be disappointed by anything on Hannigan's debut. She's still singing in hushed tones, though in far more varied ones than Rice's music allowed. In fact, Hannigan's music shows how many different ways a person can sing softly.

In "I Don't Know," her voice has an expectant quality, with a hint of flirtation. In "Ocean and a Rock" there's great yearning in her long, lingering phrases, while for "Keep It All" she sings into her chest to create a sense of mystery.

The music - all originals, save a take on Bert Jansch's "Courting Blues" - also involves more instrumentation than Rice's. But it remains understated and uncluttered. Hannigan proves herself a poetic lyricist, making eager use of Ireland's literary bent for alliteration and onomatopoeia (see "Splishy Splashy," "Sea Song"). Even so, Hannigan's words manage to convey clear meaning.

She writes mainly encouraging and romantic songs, in contrast to Rice's somber broods. In "Ocean and a Rock" Hannigan pledges eternal allegiance to a long-distance lover, while in "I Don't Know" she composes a virtual personal ad of a song, fired by more anticipation than wariness, which shows the durability of her hope. But here's the best news: Hannigan hasn't just crawled out of Rice's shadow so she can imitate him. Instead she gave his introverted sound her own concentrated allure.

source : Daily News

Ledger Globe will go to daughter

2009-01-13T07:18:00.000-08:00

Heath Ledger's parents say his posthumous Golden Globe for The Dark Knight should go to his 3-year-old daughter Matilda.

Speaking from the late actor's family home in Perth, Australia, Ledger's father Kim said he watched the awards ceremony with "bittersweet pride".

The actor died of an accidental drug overdose prior to the film's release.

His role as the Joker has also won a Critics Choice award and is expected to get an Academy Award nomination.Ledger received a standing ovation from the audience when he was named best supporting actor. The award was accepted on his behalf by director Christopher Nolan.

"A standing ovation breaks you up," said Kim Ledger.

He added: "That really goes to the heart, you know."

In an interview with People magazine, Ledger's mother, Sally Bell, said: "I should imagine that eventually it will be going to Matilda.

"It will belong to her because she is part of him."

She has described the recognition the 29-year-old actor had been getting for his work as an "emotional rollercoaster".

"There is a lot of emotion tied up in this and we have to deal with that emotion first before we can relax and enjoy the moment," she said. Matilda is the daughter of Ledger and actress Michelle Williams.

The couple separated a few months before his death and the child is being raised by Williams.

Meanwhile, the 2009 Golden Globes saw a 27% slump in viewers since the last ceremony in 2007.

It averaged 14.6 million viewers, down from 20 million two years ago and the lowest since 1996.

Last year's ceremony was cancelled due to the Hollywood screenwriters strike.

source :BBC News

Sharon Osbourne: Dannii Minogue wanted to f*** Simon Cowell

2009-01-13T07:05:00.000-08:00

by Lucy

Sharon Osbourne has fuelled her feud with Dannii Minogue, saying the Australian singer got her job on The X Factor because she wanted to sleep with Simon Cowell.

Sharon left her post on the talent show’s judging panel in June after pay negotiations stalled but when asked why she quit the series in a recent interview, she placed the blame solely on Dannii’s head.

She explained: “[I quit because of] Dannii Minogue.

“All Dannii wanted to do was f*** Simon Cowell. That’s why she’s on the show.”

A source added that Sharon only asked for £2million paypacket so she would be forced to quit: “They offered £1.6million but she ‘couldn’t bear to sit next to Dannii six more months’.”

Sharon was replaced by Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole; Cheryl’s act Alexandra Burke won the series in December and her debut single ‘Hallelujah’ became the fastest selling single of all time in the run up to Christmas and has now sold more than 1million copies.

source : fametastic

Gisele Bündchen & Tom Brady get engaged?

2009-01-13T06:55:00.000-08:00

Gisele Bündchen and boyfriend Tom Brady have reportedly got engaged.

New England Patriots star Tom Brady was rumoured to have popped the question last month but the couple’s families denied the rumours. However, now sources close to the pair claim he proposed in Los Angeles on Friday.

A source told People magazine: “He asked and she accepted.”

The couple are said to have told family and friends over the weekend and are now making their preliminary wedding plans: “The couple is discussing a huge fashionista event in the spring or a more intimate and quicker ceremony in Costa Rica, where Gisele has a home.”

The couple began dating in 2006, shortly after Tom split from the then-pregnant mother of his child Bridget Moynahan.

source : fametastic

`Idol' returns with the good, the bad, the bikini

2009-01-13T06:46:00.000-08:00

By LYNN ELBER

The flat notes, the sweet surprises, the pleas of the rejected are all intact as "American Idol" returns for its eighth season of first-class karaoke.

A new twist is the bikini-clad contestant who splits the judges straight down the gender line in the debut episode.

Fox previewed the show Monday night for TV critics who simply couldn't wait 24 hours to see it air. The rest of America can judge for itself from 8-10 p.m. Tuesday.

The episode opens with auditions taped in Phoenix and features newcomer Kara DioGuardi, who joins Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson on the judging panel.

DioGuardi immediately distinguished herself by throwing down with the willowy woman in the very orange, very small bikini. DioGuardi, a songwriter-producer who also knows how to belt a tune, sang a few bars to show the contestant how it should have been done.

"Honestly, you don't have the chops to sing that song, sweetie," DioGuardi told her.

"But your demonstration wasn't any better," the woman snapped back.

Not diplomatic, Abdul cautioned, jumping into the fray.

But the male judges were definitely impressed.

"Beautiful," Cowell pronounced after hearing just a few bars.

From Jackson: "I think you have a have a lot of potential. I'm going to say yes."

That bikini is going to Hollywood and the next round of auditions.

Not so lucky was the extremely nervous man who was sweating as if he knew the executioner's ax hovered.

"You look like you're in pain or something," Cowell told him.

The British music producer was his usual amusing, acidic self. Jackson appeared loose and eager for another season, chair-dancing to the rhythm of more than one bad singer.

Definitely no, Jackson told one contestant, then added gleefully, "Man, that was wild!"

A pink cowboy-hatted teenager pleaded for another shot.

"Please, I'm shaking in my boots here," she pleaded, charmingly.

Boots, it turns out, are not as persuasive as a bathing suit.

source :Washingtonpost.com

Golden Globes Fashion: The Best ... And The Worst

2009-01-11T21:57:00.000-08:00

Anne Hathaway looks classic, Brangelina look relaxed and Miley Cyrus looks too grown-up.

By Jocelyn Vena

The Golden Globes have officially kicked off the 2009 awards season. After last year's ceremony was canceled, the stars made sure they really kicked it up a notch — or three.

There were lots of one-shoulder gowns, shades of blush and nude, and a bouffant or two. The guys pretty much stuck to the standard black-tie garb with lots of tuxedos, which makes any guy look dapper and handsome.

There were also some stand-out choices that made us say, "Wow!" — in good and bad ways. So here's a look at the best- and worst-dressed at the 2009 Golden Globes.

(For a by-the-minute recap of the fabulous and faulty fashions, check out our Golden Globes red-carpet blog.)

Let's get the bad out of the way first: America Ferrera looked silly. She was trying to be avant-garde, but ended up looking like she was trying out for a live-action "Jetsons" movie. Amanda Seyfried at first appeared lovely in her one-shoulder dress, but it was ill-fitting on second glance. "Office" star Jenna Fischer's floral frock failed to impress. Miley Cyrus' dress was confusing and didn't do anything for her. She might be 16 now, but the dress was too old for her. Drew Barrymore wore a gray Galliano gown. He's known to do out-there stuff, but the only thing out-there about Drew was her hair.

Both Eva Longoria and Beyoncé looked like their dresses were too small. J.Lo looked tired in her flashy gown; it just feels like she's done it a million times before. One look that stood out (in a questionable way) was Marisa Tomei's pirate-inspired getup. The Golden Globes feel like a strange place to debut that sort of look.

Now, let's talk about who rocked the carpet. Maggie Gyllenhaal always makes an attempt to stand out, and sometimes it doesn't work. Then again, sometimes it does. Her blue leopard-print Lanvin dress this year worked. Anne Hathaway loves looking classic, and there's no better classic designer than Armani Privé. Her navy dress was stunning and worked well with her pale skin. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt looked relaxed and cool. She wore silver, which is different for her, and she deserves some props for it.

Eva Mendes' white gown had a huge bow at her hip, proving that she loves to look like a bombshell. Kate Winslet's whimsical neckline on her strapless gown took something ordinary and made it extraordinary. And our belle of the ball was Amy Adams, who literally made us stop breathing when she showed up on the carpet in her Oscar de la Renta ball gown. It was flawless.

source :MTv

Winslet and Slumdog sweep Globes

2009-01-11T21:42:00.000-08:00

Kate Winslet has won two awards at the Golden Globes in Los Angeles, winning best actress for Revolutionary Road and best supporting actress for The Reader.

"Is this really happening?" she asked as she collected her second prize.

Slumdog Millionaire was named best film drama, one of four awards Danny Boyle's Mumbai-set movie received.

Heath Ledger was given a posthumous supporting actor prize for The Dark Knight, while Mickey Rourke was named best actor in a drama for The Wrestler.

Other British recipients included Sally Hawkins, named best comedy actress for her role in Mike Leigh's Happy-Go-Lucky.

The Globes - which recognise both film and television - are often regarded as an indicator of the movies and actors who will go on to win honours at the Academy Awards.

'Pulsating affection'

Winslet had been expected to be named best supporting actress for The Reader, in which she plays a former Nazi prison guard who has an affair with a teenager.

But her second win for Revolutionary Road - in which she plays a frustrated housewife living in 1950s America - came as a surprise.

On Friday the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, who organise the Globes, mistakenly identified Anne Hathaway as the winner as best dramatic actor.

Winslet, 33, apologised to her fellow nominees for winning and paid tribute to her "spectacular" co-star Leonardo DiCaprio.

She also thanked her husband Sam Mendes for directing Revolutionary Road and "killing us every single day".

Boyle was named best director for Slumdog Millionaire, which also picked up prizes for Simon Beaufoy's screenplay and for AR Rahman's score.

"Your mad, pulsating affection for our film is much appreciated," said Boyle as he collected his individual award.

'Sadness and pride'

Ledger's honour was accepted by Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan, who said the late actor would be "eternally missed but never forgotten".

"All of us who worked with Heath accept with an awful mixture of sadness but incredible pride," he continued.

Irish star Colin Farrell was named best actor in a musical or comedy for his role as a hit man in black comedy In Bruges.

Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona, meanwhile, was named best comedy, ahead of Happy-Go-Lucky and Mamma Mia.

source : BBC news

Tom Cruise's great uniform

2009-01-11T21:40:00.000-08:00

Tom Cruise says the Nazis "had great uniforms"

The US actor plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, a Nazi who led an internal plot to assassinate Hitler during World War two, in his latest film 'Valkyrie'.

While he says Nazi uniforms were well designed, he also found they encouraged strong feelings in him.

Tom, 46, told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper: "I have to tell you, they had great uniforms, great designs. But there was a perversion with those things.

"They took symbols that were good and they inverted the aesthetics. My immediate response was, 'I hate this uniform.' But I had to get used to seeing myself wearing it, although it was disturbing to look at the world from that perspective."

For his role in the film, Tom also had to wear an eye patch and hide his hand to emulate injuries sustained by Stauffenberg in an air attack.

He adds that his uniform raised eyebrows when he first wore it, at a read-through of the script in Metro Goldwyn Mayer's Los Angeles offices.

He said: "There I was, dressed in full German officer's uniform, walking out of the conference room and down the corridors to get to the bathroom. It was surreal. I could see the guys in the offices looking at me and wondering what the hell was going on."

'Valkyrie' is released in European cinemas throughout January and February.

source : m&c

Leonardo DiCaprio's marriage wish

2009-01-11T21:38:00.000-08:00

Leonardo DiCaprio wants to get married.

The 'Revolutionary Road' star previously maintained he doesn't believe in marriage, but has now changed his mind and "grown up."

Leonardo, 34, said: "I absolutely believe in marriage. In saying that I realise I am contradicting everything I've said before. Yes, I want to get married and have children."

The US actor - who is reportedly dating Israeli model Bar Rafaeli - puts his previous views down to inexperience.

He added: "It sounds like the ignorance of youth to me. When did I say those things? Three or Four years ago? Hey, we grow up real fast."

Leonardo also said the media attention and scrutiny which came with his huge success as an actor in films such as 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Titanic' had a huge impact on how he saw the world around him.

He continued: "'Titanic' was a period of rebellion for me. I was portrayed as the world's number one poster boy, a heart-throb. It wasn't what I wanted to be at 24.

"It was never the recognition I wanted. The whole experience was so shallow and empty. That's why I took a break. I was conscious that I needed to do something different."

'Revolutionary Road' is released in European cinemas this month.

source :m&c

Why Were Britney Spears And Madonna Left Off Our 'Best Songs Of 2008' List?

2008-12-15T09:02:00.000-08:00

Our Bigger Than the Sound columnist explains his vigorously debated choices.

By James Montgomery

By now, I'm sort of used to being called an idiot on a weekly basis. Because that's what seems to happen each and every Wednesday when I publish my Bigger Than the Sound column.

Usually, I get 10 to 20 negative — and angry — comments per column (though if said column in any way detracts from Britney spears, that number jumps to 40 or 50), and though it would probably benefit my ego not to read them, I always do ... if only because I find them sort of hilarious and inspiring (and because I am a sucker for grammatical errors and ALL-CAPS MISSIVES). What I usually don't do is respond to them.

But this week is different. On Wednesday, I published my annual"Best Song Of the Years"and it got a lot of responses. Like, way more than I expected a column that didn't include "Britney Spears" or "Heidi Montag" in the headline to get. Some of the comments took issue with my picks — "I've never heard of half these bands!" and "Kid Rock? Are you serious?!?" being two popular ones — but most were upset with who I didn't put on my list (Britney,Madonna and Rihanna, in particular). So I figured it was time to break from tradition and write an actual response.

Since there were so many comments, I thought the best way to handle this would be to just address the four most basic types of complaints. Hopefully, in doing so, I'll be able to explain the method behind my madness ... why I made some picks, why I didn't make others and, really, whether I should be fired for doing either. To keep the dialogue going, I'd love to hear some of your favorites too. Feel free to leave them in the comments below. Also, call me as many mean names as you see fit — after all, I'm a professional rock-and-roll journalist. I can take it.

Exclusive: Travis Barker Talks About His 'Jockin' Jay-Z' Remix

2008-12-15T08:52:00.000-08:00

Drummer says track was recorded before September plane crash.

By Shaheem Reid

Travis Barker is back at work. On Thursday night, he was in the studio banging away on the drums but took a little time out to talk "Jockin' Jay-Z." Barker just released his remix of the song which he produced and played on before Semptember Magic Plan Crash, which critically injured him and DJ AM, and killed four others. The remix debuted on Los Angeles DJ Skee's radio show earlier this week and has since been blasted out all over the Internet.

"I was attracted to the simplicity of the track," Barker told MTV News exclusively Thursday night. "It left so much for me to do to it. The original was already jamming, so I felt blessed they let me flip it. I remix whatever catches my ear and lends itself to getting a makeover."

Barker's favorite lyric from the song? That's obvious. "Haters be like, 'Hov while you still talking money sh--?' / 'Cause I like money, bi---!"

On the remix, Barker replaces song-producer Kanye West's initial synth backdrop with rock-and-roll drums and guitars. DJ AM ent tour with JAY-Z in October, and the former Blink-182 member said he hopes he can work with Jingga on new material too.

"I'd love to have him on my record or get in a studio together and let our brains mesh on some crazy sh--," he explained with excitement. "I love Hov."

Barker's going to have to clear some space on his schedule for that to happen, however, since his production dance card is currently filled with commitments to other rap kings.

"I've been in a studio working with other musicians/producers on tracks for T.I, Cee-Lo, and Florida . All live music, really exciting and different."

Barker has also been cooking up a solo album. No release date for that project has been set.

Britney? Beyonce? Who Is MTV News' Woman Of The Year? The Countdown Begins Today!

2008-12-15T08:46:00.000-08:00

These are the ladies who have dominated the 2008 headlines — with more to come in the next few days.

By James Montgomery

Who was the biggest star of 2008? Who had the most impact on the year that was, who inspired the most headlines or generated the biggest amount of buzz? It's really tough to say ... yet, for decades now, plenty of magazines have been doing just that (we're looking at you, Time). And so, after years of sitting on the sidelines, we here at MTV News have decided to get in on the act too.

Over the next few days, we'll be unveiling our list of the most fascinating, controversial and, well, BRITNEY!!! women of the year. These are the artists, actors and pop-culture heavyweights who dominated the headlines here at MTVNews.com (and no, Sarah Palin didn't make the cut ... we'll leave that to the folks at Time).

Today, we present picks 10 to 6. On Tuesday, we'll reveal numbers 5 to 2. And then, on Thursday, we'll unveil our 2008 MTV News Woman of the Year. And, of course, we'd love to hear what you've got to say — we'll even publish some of the best comments later this week — so if you agree with us (or if you don't), let us know in the comments below.

Witherspoon's art imitates life

2008-12-15T03:03:00.001-08:00

There's plenty of irony for Reese Witherspoon in her new Christmas comedy movie, Four Holidays.

The actress plays Kate, a San Francisco yuppy in a longterm relationship with Brad, played by Vince Vaughn.

The couple flees each Christmas to a tropical island where they relax and sip margaritas, leaving behind their parents and relatives in San Francisco and the usual traumas, arguments and odd uncles and aunties most families endure on their December 25 festivities.

Kate and Brad come from divorced homes, so if they stayed in San Francisco they would have to split Christmas Day into four pieces, ensuring they spent time with each parent and their new families.

The film's storyline is ironic for Witherspoon because this Christmas, if you believe her, art may imitate life.

Thanks to her own marriage breakup, Witherspoon's Christmas may be as odd and uncomfortable as some of the scenes in Four Holidays.

As anyone who has picked up a gossip magazine the last couple of years knows, Witherspoon's once perceived perfect marriage to Ryan Phillippe imploded in 2006 with the actress filing for divorce and demanding sole custody of their children Ava, 9, and Deacon, 5.

There were rumours the breakup was sparked by a relationship blossoming between Phillippe and his Australian co-star Abbie Cornish on the Texas set of their Iraq protest film, Stop-Loss. The rumours had some backing when earlier this year at an event in Beverly Hills for the organisation, Australians in Film, Cornish and Phillippe went public with their romance.

But Witherspoon did not stay on the singles market long, either.

She also hooked up with a good-looking co-star, Jake Gyllenhaal, on the set of their war on terror inspired film, Rendition.

So when Witherspoon recently sat down to talk about Four Holidays in Los Angeles recently, there was one obvious question.

How will she and Phillippe, as divorced parents, deal with Christmas this year?

Will she be clinking glasses of eggnog with Cornish?

Will Gyllenhaal and Phillippe be sharing back-slapping jokes around the backyard barbecue?

Witherspoon, notoriously protective of her children, said whatever grievances she and Phillippe share will be put on the backburner so Ava and Deacon can enjoy Christmas.

"I think the most important thing is the children," Witherspoon replied. "It's like, what do they want? What makes them feel comfortable? What makes them happy?

"I think just to bear that in mind and the most important thing is to be a grown-up about it and not let any kind of feelings affect how you deal with your children. I think that's the most important thing so I'm very lucky in that we raised our kids to just be happy and it's all about them."

Witherspoon is also smart enough not to give up too many personal details when a tape recorder is sitting before her. Apart from declaring her kids will come first at Christmas, she was not about to divulge exactly how the day would unfold.

"Oh, I don't know," she giggled.

"It's not that formal. There's a lot of communication (with Phillippe) and a lot of just being very open about things. There's nothing contentious about any of it so it's all very go with the flow, whatever happens in the moment."

Whatever the plans, Witherspoon is hoping the drama she encounters on Christmas Day is well below what occurs during Four Holidays.

Kate and Brad's plan to fly to a tropical paradise for Christmas ends when San Francisco airport is shut down by fog. Any plan to hide from their family in San Francisco ends when a local TV station filming a story about the airport closure airs footage of Kate and Brad at the airport.

Members of their families see it on TV and quickly demand Kate and Brad attend all four Christmas celebrations.

The four families are played by a who's who of Hollywood and country music stars, including Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight, Jon Favreau, Mary Steenburgen, Dwight Yoakam, Tim McGraw and Kristin Chenoweth.

What Witherspoon found most challenging about shooting Four Holidays was Vaughn, and not because of the reported differences and heated arguments the actors, who also co-produced the film together, had on set.

Witherspoon denies the reports, but she said it was tough playing Vaughn's love interest when he stood more than a foot taller than her.

Witherspoon is just 155cm while Vaughn is 196cm. Director Seth Gordon had to build ramps for Witherspoon so he could capture the couple in the same camera frame. Boxes were also placed in scenes for the actress to stand on.

"We tried to make Vince smaller too," Witherspoon laughed. "We took his shoes off and all that. But no, he's 6ft 5 and I'm 5ft 2 so he's over a foot taller than me."

"And we had a really funny scene, I don't know if it's in the movie any more, but we were in bed and he rolls over and goes to sleep but rolls over and lies on top of me. t was like a tree trunk had just landed on me.I kept going, 'Timber!'"

Another frission of irony in the film is Kate and Brad's decision not to marry.

Witherspoon says her opinion of marriage has changed since she walked down the aisle with Phillippe nine years ago and it is possible she will not marry again.

She is glad the film explores the topic.

"I think the message is more it's important to stay open to whatever your relationship evolves into," the actress explains. "I don't even think we say at the end we're married.It's very open ... so many people, I'm guilty of this too myself, that I have a certain idea what I thought marriage and kids

and the whole life and things are and sometimes it doesn't work out that way.

"So you have to be open to whatever comes your way in life and that life and love and relationships take all kinds of shapes and that it's not necessarily the one you recognise."

Out of the mouths of babes

2008-12-15T03:02:00.002-08:00

Rich or poor, the voice of youth is curiously consistent, says Stephanie Savage, the executive producer and co-writer of US drama Gossip Girl.

"Young people have a kind of situational narcissism," Savage says. "They feel that what they're going through has never happened to anyone before in the history of the world and no one can understand them, especially older people.

"That's actually a lot of fun to write because you can have very flawed characters that you're still cheering for because they're young and you hope they work it out."

Well, there's flawed and there's flawed. Take Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), whose father left her mother for a male model. Or Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford), Blair's boyfriend, who slept with her best friend Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) before she left abruptly for boarding school. Or Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick), Nate's morally bankrupt best friend whose roving eye has landed on Blair.

The names and plot twists may be soaked in satire but the teen angst is played straight. Narrating their byzantine private lives is the unseen Gossip Girl (voiced by Kristen Bell), a blogger who dishes up their secrets for public digestion. Which of Blair and Serena's inner circle is the author remains the show's enduring mystery.

The series, based on Cecily von Ziegesar's novels of the same name, has replaced The OC as the youth soap of choice. It premiered in Australia on cable channel FOX8 last summer. This week, Channel Nine launches the first season on free-to-air, with FOX8 about to launch the second.

Two characters provide an alternative window into the sometimes surreal world of rich New York teenagers - Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley) and his sister Jenny (Taylor Momsen), whose rock star father has become an art gallery owner.

"We felt it was important to see the world through the eyes of someone who wasn't a part of it," Savage says.

"With Jenny, you have a character who, in the first season at least, very much wanted to be a part of it and was struggling to figure out how to get that done, and in Dan, someone who was much more critical and ambivalent about it. It was nice to have those two different points of view."

New York Magazine declared the series "the greatest show ever", which elicits a chuckle from its producer. "We try not to be too swayed by anything we read. As they say: 'Praise and blame, let them be the same.' At the same time, it's more exciting to be written about than it is necessarily to get giant ratings because you want to feel that you matter on the cultural landscape."

Prediction Make Up Artist The World To year 2009

2008-12-15T03:02:00.001-08:00

WHEN held a Fashion Week, which is offered on the catwalk is not just style clothing and accessories, but also the trends trappings. How the make-up artist in New York trappings predict trends for the coming year?

Caprice - KC / AMO
From New York, the glamor with the trappings merona red lipstick and the smoky eye look so you're looking for style in the years ahead. Apart from the catwalk, the style trappings glamor is also visible in the fashion magazines that circulate. Now it is time to experiment.

Trappings Eyes
To trappings eyes, the style is so smoky eyes pledge to show the dramatic trappings. This style trappings most suitable to the events in the night and basically every person applying it can be. It's a little bit difficult to create smoky eyes look, but the more often you practice, you create more skilled eyes of the "talking". For your dark skin, select perona brown eyes, brown or dark greenery to look more fresh.

Dyes lips
Other beauty trends taken from the Hollywood triumph-1990 era of glamor. When you're charming, the stars of Hollywood at that time always use red lipstick. In addition glamor, lipstick color is also synonymous with the sensual impression. If you want to try it, make sure your eyes trappings natural style.

Trends eyebrows
Style thin curved eyebrows high indeed have long abandoned. Instead, allow the hair-eyebrow hair natural fit because your eyebrows and thick black back trends. Use dark colored eyebrow pencil to create a line of eyebrows, baurkan thin-thin brush with hair that looks thick eyebrows and natural.

Why did K-Fed start spilling beans on Britney?

2008-12-15T03:01:00.001-08:00

Plus: Britney and ‘Project Runway’; Wentz learned from Ledger
By Courtney Hazlett

Ever since Britney Spears’ big breakdown, her ex-husband Kevin Federline has been approached by nearly every publication in the celebrity business about telling his side of the story.

He’s kept mum until this week’s big exclusive with People magazine, which has many wondering: Why did he start talking now?

There are two schools of thought on the subject. The more cynical comes from a former associate of Federline’s: “He doesn’t do anything unless there is a financial motive behind it, period. There’s a fee connected to everything he does. He gets a substantial amount of money from Britney, yes, but he wants to make his own money too, and he knows that he’s sitting on a gold mine when it comes to the ‘real’ story of Britney.”

Lil Wayne leads Grammy nominations with 8

2008-12-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

Coldplay, Radiohead also among nominees announced in prime-time specialLOS ANGELES - Lil Wayne didn’t get a Grammy nomination for “A Milli,” but his total haul was still pretty amazing — eight.

Nominations for the prolific and ubiquitous rap MVP, who became pop’s biggest success in 2008 with his top-selling album, “Tha Carter III,” included a coveted album of the year bid.

Although the New Orleans rapper — who has been nominated for Grammys before but has never taken home a trophy — was the leading nominee, he wasn’t the only big act to have a big night Wednesday.

I make Mike Shinoda side project, Fort Minor, now turn Chester Bennington Linkin Park Say the cause of this band "Dead By Sunrise" I think Underworld,

2008-12-15T02:59:00.000-08:00

I make Mike Shinoda side project, Fort Minor, now turn Chester Bennington Linkin Park Say the cause of this band "Dead By Sunrise" I think Underworld, as the side tree. Together with Julien-K, the band said candidate merelease their debut album at the latest front in 2009 yrs. It is still much debate. Somewhat different in Linkin Park, of course, because the Dead By Sunrise, telling the Melodic Rock instead of Linkin Park's elements, there is little it Hip Hop. Meanwhile, for their original Band is Linkin Park, Chester nurut they do write songs for the next album, but not direlease in the near future. Well, I wait for the house band's monologue was called "Snow White Tan"

Kanye West (Alb.808 's & Heartbreak / DefJam) - Love Lockdown Kanye West (Alb.808 's & Heartbreak / DefJam) - Love Lockdown

2008-12-15T02:58:00.000-08:00

Kanye West (Alb.808 's & Heartbreak / DefJam) - Love Lockdown
After 'graduating' with Trilogy albums, Kanye West finally candidate merelease new albums innings, with the album to-4 "808 &'s Heartbreak" I have a release schedule des 16. First single "Love lockdown" I live in against the first time in the MTV VMA's last week, here, Kanye West 'sing' instead ngerap! A breakthrough that's cool, with music quite minimal, bassline and heavy percussion's "Love lockdown" I feel different people with single2 Kanye before, but it's certainly this one single brilliant thinkers!

Guns N Roses - CHINESE DEMOCRACY

2008-12-15T02:57:00.002-08:00

Finally, after attending local government-looking, CHINESE Democracy album released on 23 November yesterday. Once was delayed for many years, that Axl Unsurprisingly, the only remaining personnel GNR album that can offer a far different color with the flow of GNR. Of course, this raises a lot of pro and lontra from various parties.

In general, fourteen songs that are packed in this album is more like a song November Rain or Estraged because Axl include many elements of orchestra and piano tinkle as the second song tersebut.Melihat results of the album more than ten years, the fair only if Slash its personnel and other select resign from the GNR. This concept album is far derogating from the initial point where GNR established. Therefore, this album may be true solo album is Axl Rose though still promote the GNR name.

Actually, there are some interesting enough. Every Chinese Democracy, which opened with a guitar riff that sounds like a second riff song Rock You Like a Hurricane Scorpions have a track titled Better or that initially sounds more like a song R & B songs instead of songs rock.Pada Madagascar glimpse of the song sounds like a Led Zeppelin Kashmir , Axl tried to enter a sample from a speech Dr. Martin Luther King in the middle of the song while the IRS and Riad n 'of the Bedouins in the packed aransemen simple so thick smell more hard rock.

When we see the hand of creativity, can be this album is the result of the experiment Axl clear full color with the new. Axl is not shy to enter the synthesizer sounds and mellotron to achieve the results that he would like. The result is making songs in this album feels fresh, modern, luxurious at the same time also lost canine. because almost all the songs to lose power, which is identical with the first GNR music. In addition to the due sounds' machine 'that the average is considered' illegitimate 'by the rock musician because of the' spirit 'of the song itself, the tone-tone hip-hop who tercium hard in some songs, also contribute to the lower contribution 'voltage' songs.

Fortunately, the effect is a little weak picked by the throaty roar falsetto voice with Axl plus riff-guitar riff with thick distortion. However, do not expect to hear a guitar solo that melodius thick smell bluesy style Slash because he no longer donate gitarnya voice in this album. Finally, the only remaining sound effects with guitar distortion and tone-thick tone that actually feels more as a showroom technique and speed alone.

Although the album can not be bad, but this CHINESE Democracy can not be called a phenomenal album from a group of rock big as GNR. It may be because we have too long to wait until the release of this album when it is released, gregetnya have been lost.

This is the content of the album's tracks Chinese Democracy:

01 (4:42) Chinese Democracy
02 (3:37) Shackler's Revenge
03 (4:57) Better
04 (4:46) Street of Dreams
05 (4:55) If the World
06 (6:45) There Was A Time
07 (5:52) catcher N 'The Rye
08 (3:26) Scraped
09 (3:42) Riad N 'The Bedouins
10 (6:09) Sorry
11 (4:28) I.R.S.
12 (5:41) Madagascar
13 (5:32) This I Love
14 (6:11) Prostitute

Concert Extreme 'Take Us Alive World Tour 2008'

2008-12-15T02:55:00.000-08:00

Concert Extreme 'Take Us Alive World Tour 2008', held at the Senayan Tennis Indoor Jakarta on Monday, December 15, 2008.

One of the legendary band's new album, entitled the 'Sausades de Rock' personnel with Nuno Bettencourt (guitar, Vokal), Gary Cherone (Vokal), Pat Badger (Bass), and Kevin Figuereino (Drum).

Single Hits: More Than Words, Love Of My Life "Extreme Version," Cupid's Dead, Rest In Peace, Get The Funk Out, Every Am I Gonna Change, Hip Today, Stop The World, Tragic Comic.

Ticket info:

VVIP Rp 550.000, - (Seating)
VIP Rp 250.000, - (Seating)
FESTIVAL Rp 350.000, - (Standing Rock)

Coldplay will disband next year

2008-12-15T02:53:00.000-08:00

Band famous English origin, Cold Play reportedly will dissolve itself next year because vokalisnya (Chris Martin) choose to bersolo career. Cold Play by play of the famous "Yellow" This will make the final album in 2009 on the future.

As quoted from Showbizspy, "I am now aged 31 years old and I do not think the band to play at the age of 33 years old. So, I try to make the album as much as possible. We do it until next year, "said Chris Martin.

Cold Play will also be set up parting with the performance of the operation, and indeed if, unfortunately, as the band Cold Play, which became an inspiration to many young musicians should be dismissed.