Taylor Marks Birthday With New Orleans Gift (AP)

February 23, 2006

Actress Elizabeth Taylor arrives at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini Palace in Venice, northern Italy, in this file photo from Aug. 31, 2001, to host a charity auction to benefit the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmfAR).  The two-time Oscar winner will commemorate her  74th birthday Monday by donating a mobile medical unit to the New Orleans AIDS Task Force.  (AP Photo/Luca Bruno,File)AP - Elizabeth Taylor will ring in her 74th birthday Monday with a gift worth several hundred thousand dollars. Only it isn't for her.


Howard Goes to the Movies (E! Online)

February 23, 2006

In his quest to leave no medium unturned, Howard Stern is looking 
 for a few good filmmakers.E! Online - In his quest to leave no medium unturned, Howard Stern is looking for a few good filmmakers.


Crowe, Kidman's Outback Adventure (E! Online)

February 23, 2006

Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman are finally going to share the 
 silver screen, and all from the comfort of home.E! Online - Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman are finally going to share the silver screen, and all from the comfort of home.


Big numbers run in the "Family" (Reuters)

February 23, 2006

Reuters - While the opening of Lionsgate's "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" caught the industry off guard a year ago when it debuted with a sterling $21.9 million from just 1,483 theaters, an upset is not in the works with the follow-up film. Industry observers agree that "Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion" from Lionsgate should easily be the No. 1 film this weekend.

Brad Renfro Pleads Guilty to Drug Charge (AP)

February 23, 2006

Brad Renfro attends the New York Premiere for Alfie, held at the Ziegfeld Theatre, Monday October 18, 2004 in New York. Renfro pleaded guilty to attempted possession of heroin Thursday in a case stemming from his December arrest during a sting on Skid Row. (AP Photo/Jennifer Graylock)AP - Actor Brad Renfro pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted possession of heroin in a case stemming from his December arrest during a sting in Los Angeles' Skid Row area.


Superman, Batman Sequelize? (E! Online)

February 23, 2006

It is the ultimate fanboy fantasy not involving Princess Leia: 
 More Batman, more Superman.E! Online - It is the ultimate fanboy fantasy not involving Princess Leia: More Batman, more Superman.


Filmmaker Tamahori placed on probation in sex case (Reuters)

February 23, 2006

Director Lee Tamahori is shown in this April 25, 2005, file photo taken in Los Angeles. Tamahori struck a plea deal Thursday, Feb. 23, 2006, in Los Angeles Superior court, stemming from his arrest Jan. 8 for allegedly soliciting an undercover police officer and offering to perform a sex act for money. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)Reuters - New Zealand-born filmmaker Lee Tamahori, arrested last month on a sex charge while wearing a woman's dress and wig, was placed on probation after pleading no contest on Thursday to a lesser offense of criminal trespass.


Oscar fashion drips with glamour (Reuters)

February 23, 2006

Actress Keira Knightley arrives at the 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California January 16, 2006. Hollywood wants to return to its heyday of sophisticated glamour at this year's Academy Awards, fashion insiders say. Despite the variety, fashion experts say most stars would play it sophisticated and safe. Rita Watnick, owner vintage haute couture boutique Lily et Cie, said Oscar nominees may take a cue from Keira Knightley, who wore classic white at the Golden Globe awards. 'That says something about not trying too hard with color,' said Watnick, who added, 'Sometimes there is nothing better than great design and lack of color.' REUTERS/Mario AnzuoniReuters - Hollywood wants to return to its heyday of sophisticated glamour -- the days when a star was a star and knew how to dress like one -- at this year's Academy Awards, fashion insiders say.


Radio legend Corwin sees new spirit at Oscars (Reuters)

February 23, 2006

Ninety-five year old Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences member Norman Corwin poses in his Brentwood, California home February 22, 2006. Among the oldest members of the Academy, Corwin is the subject of an Oscar nominated documentary short 'A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin.' The film details radio broadcasts he produced in the post World War II era that raised questions on the price of war and the responsibility of victory. REUTERS/Chris PizzelloReuters - He's a legendary master of old-time radio drama, but 95 year-old Norman Corwin has a thing or two to say about the movies, starting with what he called a new sense of moviemaking that challenges convention.


'Capote' Screenwriter Humbled by Oscar Nod (AP)

February 23, 2006

AP - If genetic karma has anything to do with it, Dan Futterman will walk away with an Academy Award.

Redford Says Sundance Taken by a 'Fever' (AP)

February 23, 2006

Robert Redford listens during a news conference on the Sundance Film Festival's opening day in Park City, Utah, in this  Jan. 19, 2006 file photo. Three decades after it was made, 'All the President's Men', one of the touchstones in Redford's career, arrives Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2006 in a two-disc special edition DVD.  (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)AP - Robert Redford says his Sundance Film Festival, which last month wrapped its 25th season, is "almost to a breaking point."


Former 007 Defends Daniel Craig (AP)

February 23, 2006

In this handout photo made available in London Oct. 14, 2005 by EON Productions,  Daniel Craig, portrays the latest James Bond. The 37-year-old actor is the sixth to play the movie superspy role. Roger Moore, who played Agent 007 in seven of the James Bond movies, said critics of Craig, the film franchise's new star,should give him a chance. Moore made the comments  in Toronto on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006,at a UNICEF event.(AP Photo/EON Productions,File)AP - It took an old Bond to come to the rescue of the new Bond.


Will Smith Enticed by Bollywood (AP)

February 23, 2006

Hollywood actor Will Smith talks during the launch of Pix, an English movie channel in Bombay, India, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2006. Smith said Thursday he is in India aiming to build a partnership with filmmakers in the world's most prolific movie industry. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)AP - Chicken tikka masala and Bollywood leading lady Aishwarya Rai top Will Smith's list of favorites in India.


Swag Machine Is Big Hollywood Business (AP)

February 23, 2006

AP - Karen Wood was just trying to keep the beautiful people happy.

Pesci Won't Be Charged for Alleged Punch (AP)

February 23, 2006

Actor Joe Pesci smiles during the Oral-B Pulsar Ahmad Rashad Celebrity Classic at Fox Hopyard Golf Course in East Haddam, Conn. in this file photo from July 24, 2005.  Pesci will not be charged for allegedly punching a fan who photographed him in a shopping center parking lot, officials said Wednesday. The Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office will not file charges against the 'Goodfellas' star because there was no likelihood of conviction, said to Assistant State Attorney Jill Estey Richstone. (AP Photo/Norwich Bulletin, Robert Patterson,File)AP - Oscar-winning actor Joe Pesci will not be charged for allegedly punching a fan who photographed him in a shopping center parking lot, officials said Wednesday.


Luhrmann says Crowe, Kidman set for outback epic (Reuters)

February 23, 2006

Reuters - Oscar winners Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman have signed up for an Australian historical epic to be directed by Baz Luhrmann, Luhrmann's publicist said on Thursday.

Apatow adds Hathaway to "Knocked Up" (Reuters)

February 23, 2006

Reuters - Anne Hathaway, currently on screen as Jake Gyllenhaal's icy wife in "Brokeback Mountain," is joining the cast of Universal Pictures' "Knocked Up."

"Mozart" doesn't sugarcoat romance (Reuters)

February 23, 2006

Reuters - Strong performances anchor this low-key romantic drama about two people with Asperger syndrome. Although the narrative loses oomph as it enters increasingly generic territory, screenwriter Ron Bass doesn't sentimentalize his characters as he did in "Rain Man." Radha Mitchell delivers a typically fine performance as the extrovert in the central couple, and Josh Hartnett offers what is by far his best work to date.

Stuck in overdrive, "Scared" never stops running (Reuters)

February 23, 2006

Actor Paul Walker, left, appears on stage during a taping for MTV's 'Total Request Live' show at the MTV Times Square Studios, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, in New York. His new film, 'Running Scared,' is to be released Friday, Feb.24. (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen)Reuters - Related to the 1986 Billy Crystal-Gregory Hines buddy cop movie in name only, "Running Scared" marks "The Cooler" director Wayne Kramer's brazen march into Tarantino territory, but the concussive, hyper-violent results would have benefited from a lot less pulp and better fiction.


"Cowboy" profiles grizzled matchmaker (Reuters)

February 23, 2006

Reuters - As documentary subjects go, there are few more colorful figures imaginable than Ivan Thompson, the self-described "Cowboy Cupid.

Sci-fi pic "Next" in line for Biel (Reuters)

February 23, 2006

Reuters - Jessica Biel has signed on to co-star in Lee Tamahori's sci-fi thriller "Next," joining topliners Nicolas Cage and Julianne Moore.

Paramount aiming at pair for "Shooter" (Reuters)

February 23, 2006

Mark Wahlberg is seen in Deauville, France September 10, 2005. Wahlberg has signed on to topline and Antoine Fuqua is on board to helm the political thriller 'Shooter' for Paramount Pictures. REUTERS/Franck PrevelReuters - Mark Wahlberg has signed on to topline and Antoine Fuqua is on board to helm the political thriller "Shooter" for Paramount Pictures.