The future is now: "V" for victory (Reuters)

March 16, 2006

Reuters - The new sci-fi action thriller "V for Vendetta" should emerge victorious at the weekend box office, industry observers believe.

Portman Copes With Fascism in New Movie (AP)

March 16, 2006

Actress Natalie Portman poses for a photo as she arrives for the ShoWest's closing night ceremony at Paris Las Vegas Hotel on Thursday, March 16, 2006.  ShoWest has named Portman ' Female Star of the Year.' (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)AP - The things Natalie Portman had to deal with in her latest film, "V for Vendetta:" A new friend who's a terrorist. A new world order of fascism. A new hairdo.


Kaplan: Ice Cube a Great Pick for 'Kotter' (AP)

March 16, 2006

This file photo originally from ABC shows members of the cast of television sitcom 'Welcome Back, Kotter'  in a scene in 1978 . They are, left to right; Stephen Shortridge as Beau De Labarre, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs as Freddy Washington, Ron Palillo as Arnold Horshack, Robert Hegyes as Juan Epstein, foreground, John Travolta,rear, as Vinnie Barbarino and Gabe Kaplan as Gabe Kotter.  Kaplan, the  former 'Welcome Back, Kotter' creator-star  says rapper-actor Ice Cube is the 'perfect guy' to star in the big screen remake of the TV series. (AP Photo/files,ABC)AP - Former "Welcome Back, Kotter" creator-star Gabe Kaplan says rapper-actor Ice Cube is a great choice to play his old role in the big-screen remake of the hit 1970s TV series.


Oscar winner Del Toro ready to play "Wolf Man" (Reuters)

March 16, 2006

Actor Benicio Del Toro poses at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival in this May 19, 2005 file photo. Del Toro has been tapped to star in an upcoming remake of the 1941 horror classic 'The Wolf Man,' it was reported March 16, 2006. REUTERS/Eric GaillardReuters - He was the Mexican narcotics officer in "Traffic," a born-again ex-con in "21 Grams" and a corrupt cop in "Sin City." Now actor Benicio Del Toro looks forward to playing "The Wolf Man."


Almodovar gets laughs in tale of death, abuse, roots (Reuters)

March 16, 2006

Reuters - For a film that deals seriously with issues like death, abuse and estranged families, "Volver" ("Returning") gets a surprising number of laughs.

Universal Pictures Names New Chairmen (AP)

March 16, 2006

AP - Universal Pictures on Thursday named Marc Shmuger as its new chairman and David Linde as co-chairman, effective immediately.

Jessica Simpson Passes on GOP Fundraiser (AP)

March 16, 2006

Operation Smile International Youth Ambassador Jessica Simpson arrives for an Operation Smile news conference on Capitol Hill, Thursday, March 16, 2006. Operation Smile has treated more than 98,000 children and young adults suffering with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities around the world. The singer was on hand to tell lawmakers of the charity's work and to recount her own Operation Smile mission to help children in Nakuru, Kenya, in October 2005.(AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)AP - Jessica Simpson loves President Bush. She's just not a big fan of Republican fundraisers.


Mandela jokes about his pig-stealing days (Reuters)

March 16, 2006

Reuters - World leaders have their faults, former South Africa President Nelson Mandela said on Thursday, regaling the cast of an Oscar-winning gangster movie with tales of his own teenage years as a pig thief.

Brangelina Wedding Rumors Spread in Italy (AP)

March 16, 2006

A view of U.S. Actor George Clooney's Villa Oleandra in Laglio on Lake Como, Italy, Thursday, March 16, 2006. Movie stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are rumored  to be planning their wedding at George Clooney's Villa or onboard a boat on the lake before a party at the exclusive Villa D'Este. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)AP - Speculation spread once again that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie would wed on these Italian shores — perhaps this weekend.


Georgia Senate Defeats Fonda Resolution (AP)

March 16, 2006

AP - Jane Fonda's 1972 trip to North Vietnam is haunting her again. The Georgia Senate on Thursday nearly unanimously defeated a resolution that would have honored the actress' charity work in the state.

Lake Como buzzes with Pitt-Jolie wedding rumors (Reuters)

March 16, 2006

Reuters - Rumors that Hollywood sweethearts Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt could marry on the shores of Lake Como this weekend have transformed even quiet Italian villagers into star-struck gossip fans.

Jerry Lewis Gets Legion of Honor Medal (AP)

March 16, 2006

American actor and entertainer Jerry Lewis smiles as he listens to French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, unseen, during an award giving ceremony at the Culture Ministry in Paris, Thursday, March 16, 2006. Lewis, who turned 80 on Thursday, was made Commander in the Legion of Honor order by Donnedieu de Vabres. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)AP - France formalized its fascination with Jerry Lewis Thursday with a uniquely Gallic gift for his 80th birthday: a medal and induction into the Legion of Honor.


Clooney Donates Oscar Gift Bag to Charity (AP)

March 16, 2006

George Clooney arrives for the 78th Academy Awards in Los Angeles in this March 5, 2006, file photo. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)AP - The Oscar was gift enough for George Clooney.


Bowl Painted by Pryor Being Auctioned (AP)

March 16, 2006

A bowl painted in the fall of 2005 by the late comedian Richard Pryor for the Geauga County Humane Society's Rescue Village  fundraiser is shown Wednesday, March 15, 2006, in South Russell, Ohio. The bowl is being auctioned on eBay for the animal welfare organization. (AP Photo/Geauga County Humane Society)AP - A ceramic bowl painted by Richard Pryor is being auctioned on the Internet for an animal welfare organization.


Key to "The Da Vinci Code?" Brown's wife (Reuters)

March 16, 2006

A copy of the book The Da Vinci Code is displayed as author Dan Brown appears at the High Court in London, February 27, 2006. The mysterious figure of Blythe Brown has loomed over a plagiarism case in which her famous husband, Dan, stands accused of copying from another book to create his best-selling thriller 'The Da Vinci Code'. REUTERS/Toby MelvilleReuters - She has not appeared in court and little is known about her.


"V for Vendetta" a revolutionary call to arms (Reuters)

March 16, 2006

Reuters - In a political environment that can brew controversy out of allegorical children's fables or a documentary about penguins, it is hard to imagine the intensity of feeling that will greet "V for Vendetta," a movie whose heroes are terrorists.

"Madea" maven stays in Lionsgate fold with "Girl" (Reuters)

March 16, 2006

Reuters - Tyler Perry is staying in the Lionsgate family.

Theater ads don't stop moviegoers, study says (Reuters)

March 16, 2006

Reuters - More than half of moviegoers dislike watching advertisements on the big screen, but less than 20% allow the ads to influence their choice of film or theater, according to a study released Wednesday.

Fandango calls on Cingular for ticket deal (Reuters)

March 16, 2006

Reuters - Movie ticket provider Fandango is set to expand its service further into the mobile space Thursday by adding Cingular, the nation's largest wireless carrier, to its roster of cellular partners.

Teen newcomer cast in Chinese epic (Reuters)

March 16, 2006

Reuters - A 17-year-old acting student will make her film debut alongside international stars Gong Li and Chow Yun-Fat in the latest picture from director Zhang Yimou. ("House of Flying Daggers").

Hurt to show another violent side in 'Brooks' (Reuters)

March 16, 2006

Reuters - William Hurt, who received an Oscar nomination for his supporting performance as a gangster in "A History of Violence," will take on another menacing role in "Mr. Brooks," a psychological thriller starring Kevin Costner.

Graham, Goodman join 'Almighty' sequel (Reuters)

March 16, 2006

Reuters - Lauren Graham and John Goodman have joined Steve Carell in "Evan Almighty," a sequel to Jim Carrey's 2003 comedy "Bruce Almighty."

Jack Black Marries Musician Girlfriend (AP)

March 16, 2006

Jack Black arrives for the British Premiere of the film 'King Kong'  in which he stars, at Leicester Square Odeon, London, in this file photo from Dec. 8, 2005.  Black, the star of 'School of Rock' and 'King Kong' married musician Tanya Haden recently in the coastal town of Big Sur, the bride's stepmother told The Associated Press on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth,File)AP - Jack Black has tied the knot.


Unreleased films take top honors at Mexican awards (Reuters)

March 16, 2006

Reuters - Two unreleased films, "Mezcal" and "Las Vueltas del Citrillo," shared top honors at the 48th Ariel Awards, each winning six of Mexico's top movie prizes.