Affleck, Damon Together Again (E! Online)

February 8, 2006

After all these years together, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are 
 finally making it legal.E! Online - After all these years together, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are finally making it legal.


IFC to Air Short Movies on Its Web Site (AP)

February 8, 2006

AP - Budding filmmakers will have a new outlet for their work when the Independent Film Channel begins airing short movies initially produced for its Web site.

Film Depicts Plight of Cuban Rafters (AP)

February 8, 2006

AP - When director Carlos Gutierrez set out to make a short film about two Cuban rafters stranded on a deserted island off the coast of Florida, he hoped the movie might renew interest in the U.S. government's wet foot/dry foot immigration policy.

Review: 'Firewall' (AP)

February 8, 2006

Actor Harrison Ford poses at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., Jan. 28, 2006. Ford returns to the big screen for the first time in nearly three years in 'Firewall,' a thriller about a family man squaring off against a gang of bank robbers that holds his family hostage. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)AP - Harrison Ford could have made "Firewall" in his sleep — and at times it feels like he did.


'Curious George' Collaborator Dead (AP)

February 8, 2006

AP - Alan Shalleck, who collaborated with the co-creator of "Curious George" to bring the mischievous monkey to television and a series of book sequels, was found dead outside his home, and police were treating the death as a possible homicide.

Opus Dei Aims to Improve Its Image (AP)

February 8, 2006

AP - The entrance to the national headquarters of the Roman Catholic group Opus Dei is the last place you would expect to find mention of "The Da Vinci Code."

Ralph Fiennes Splits With Longtime Love (AP)

February 8, 2006

Ralph Fiennes and Francesca Annis at the BAFTA awards in  London  April 9, 2000.  Fiennes and his longtime partner have separated, lawyers for Annis said in London in a statement issued Tuesday, Feb.7, 2006.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)AP - Two-time Oscar nominee Ralph Fiennes and longtime partner Francesca Annis have separated, lawyers for the actress said.


'Election' Favored for Hong Kong Awards (AP)

February 8, 2006

Hong Kong actor Tony Leung and actress Josie Ho, daughter of Macau casino mogul Stanley Ho, pose for photographers during a press conference to announce the nominations in the Hong Kong Film Awards in Hong Kong Wednesday, Feb.8, 2006. Tony Leung was nominated for best actor.The 25th Hong Kong Film Awards presentation ceremony to be held on April 8. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)AP - Four movies got 10 or more nominations in the 25th Hong Kong Film Awards shortlist announced Wednesday, but Johnnie To's gangster film "Election" dominated with nods for best film, director and actor.


Actress Plays Down 'Geisha' Controversy (AP)

February 8, 2006

Chinese actress Liu Xiaoqing smiles at reporters during a press conference,  Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006 in Singapore. Liu, who is in the city-state to star in her weekend performance in a Chinese musical set in 1930s Shanghai called 'The Last Night of Taipan Jin' said that there was no reason why Chinese actresses should not take on Japanese roles, a week after Beijing canceled the release of 'Memoirs of a Geisha,' which stars two of China's leading actresses as rival Japanese entertainers. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)AP - Veteran China actress Liu Xiaoqing said there was no reason Chinese actors shouldn't play Japanese characters in films such as "Memoirs of a Geisha," which stars two Chinese actresses as Japanese entertainers and is banned in China.


Actor Ralph Fiennes to split from Annis (Reuters)

February 8, 2006

British actor Ralph Fiennes poses during a photocall for 'Chromophobia' at the 58th Cannes Film Festival in this May 21, 2005 file photo. Fiennes and his partner, actress Francesca Annis, are to separate after 11 years, lawyers said on February 8, 2006. (John Schults/Reuters)Reuters - Actor Ralph Fiennes and his partner, actress Francesca Annis, are to separate after 11 years, lawyers said on Wednesday.


Polar "Planet" spins at Paramount Classics (Reuters)

February 8, 2006

Reuters - Paramount Classics has acquired all U.S. rights to "The White Planet," the arthouse label's second pickup of a polar nature documentary in recent months.

"Stranger Calls" Rings Up Big Bucks (E! Online)

February 8, 2006

The few moviegoers who ventured out on Super Bowl weekend were 
 dialed in to When a Stranger Calls.E! Online - The few moviegoers who ventured out on Super Bowl weekend were dialed in to When a Stranger Calls.


"Brokeback," "Crash" Do It Write (E! Online)

February 8, 2006

E! Online - A couple of major Oscar contenders had the write stuff Saturday night.

A 'Curious' promo strategy for monkey cartoon (Reuters)

February 8, 2006

Ron Howard (L), co-producer of the animated movie 'Curious George', poses with cast members Will Ferrell (C) and Drew Barrymore at the premiere of the movie in Los Angeles, California in this January 28, 2006 file photo. In a rare move for an animated film, 'Curious George' has integrated product placement into the movie, which opens February 10, 2006. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)Reuters - In a rare move for an animated film, Universal Pictures' "Curious George" has integrated Volkswagen, Dole bananas and the U.S. Postal Service into the movie, which opens Friday.


Bond Helmer Busted for Prostitution (E! Online)

February 8, 2006

Paging the producers of Casino Royale: We think we found 
 your next Bond babe.E! Online - Paging the producers of Casino Royale: We think we found your next Bond babe.


Sony Pictures sues over 'Factory Girl' (Reuters)

February 8, 2006

Actress Sienna Miller poses before a special screening of 'Casanova' in New York in this December 11, 2005 file photo. Miller stars in the film 'Factory Girl' which is the subject of a legal battle over North American distribution rights. (Seth Wenig/Reuters)Reuters - Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has sued producer Holly Wiersma and the production company behind "Factory Girl" for $6 million in a dispute over the North American distribution rights to the Edie Sedgwick biopic.


Wanted: 007 Babe & Baddie (E! Online)

February 8, 2006

James Bond likes his women beautiful, his nemeses 
 megalomaniacal and his martinis shaken, not stirred. But these days he's 
 drinking alone.E! Online - James Bond likes his women beautiful, his nemeses megalomaniacal and his martinis shaken, not stirred. But these days he's drinking alone.


"Pants" director gets "License" for comedy (Reuters)

February 8, 2006

Actress Blake Lively (L) laughs with director Ken Kwapis a the world premiere of 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, May 31, 2005. Veteran TV director Kwapis has received his 'License' to make a feature follow-up to his 2005 hit 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.' (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)Reuters - Veteran TV director Ken Kwapis has received his "License" to make a feature follow-up to his 2005 hit "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."


"Potter," "Narnia" Set for Sequels (E! Online)

February 8, 2006

The studios behind both the Harry Potter and 
 Chronicles of Narnia series announced Thursday that the 
 respective franchises' fifth and second installments are ready to roll 
 cameras.E! Online - The studios behind both the Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia series announced Thursday that the respective franchises' fifth and second installments are ready to roll cameras.


Oscar Noms Escape to "Brokeback Mountain"  (E! Online)

February 8, 2006

Jon Stewart has his marching orders: two gay cowboys, a network of 
 crusading journalists, a metropolis of angry people, one ethically 
 challenged writer and a Steven Spielberg miracle.E! Online - Jon Stewart has his marching orders: two gay cowboys, a network of crusading journalists, a metropolis of angry people, one ethically challenged writer and a Steven Spielberg miracle.


"Dogtown" director on scene for "Nativity" (Reuters)

February 8, 2006

Director Catherine Hardwicke poses as she arrives as a guest at the Palm Springs International Film Festival gala in Palm Springs, California in this January 7, 2006 file photo. Hardwicke is in negotiations to shoot a project about the life of the Virgin Mary before the birth of Christ. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)Reuters - Director Catherine Hardwicke, whose films have focused on wayward teens and skateboard punks, is in negotiations to shoot a project about the life of the Virgin Mary before the birth of Christ.