Mary-Kate Olsen & Heath Ledger Were Dating



Mary-Kate Olsen and Heath Ledger were dating for three months before Heath’s death, reports People.

Ledger, 28, and Mary-Kate, 21, first met summer 2006, when he was living at Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont.

“Mary-Kate and Heath were casually dating for three months before Heath’s death,” a source reveals. “They were hooking up, but neither were particularly interested in making it exclusive… They had a bond that was based on partying, and they had the same tastes in partying … like, in terms of where they liked to hang out in New York, what time they would want to go out. They just had the same sensibility.”

Earlier this week, New York Post and Daily News reported that the two were dating.

Scarlett Johansson to Release Debut Album in May



Scarlett Johansson will release her debut album, "Anywhere I Lay My Head," on May 20.

The 23-year-old Nanny Diaries star spent five weeks recording 10 covers of Tom Waits songs and one original track in Louisiana last spring.

She has displayed her vocal talents previously, singing The Pretenders's "Brass in Pocket" in Lost In Translation and performing on stage with Jesus and Mary Chain last April at the Coachella Music Festival.

Johansson collaborated on the album with producer David Sitek, Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zimmer, and Celebration organist/guitarist Sean Atanaitis.

Johnny Depp to Replace Heath Ledger



Johnny Depp is poised to replace tragic Heath Ledger in his latest film role, reports UK’s The Sun.

Heath, who was found dead Tuesday in New York, was six weeks away from finishing fantasy flick The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

Now director Terry Gilliman wants his pal Johnny to film the remaining scenes.

A studio source said: “There is a point in the film when Heath falls through a magic mirror. He could change into another character after that and that is where Johnny would come in.

“It’s a weird, fantasy, time-travel movie so Heath’s character could easily change appearance. It would be a poignant moment.

“Johnny’s not working at the moment so everyone is praying he will do it.”

Daniel Craig Seeks His ‘Quantum of Solace’



Daniel Craig is sandwiched between his Bond girls Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Arterton at a photocall for the 22nd James Bond film Quantum of Solace at London’s Pinewood Studios on Thursday.

“It has grown on me,” Craig told reporters of the new title. “It doesn’t trip off the tongue. But why should it?”

Added Craig about his character, “[Bond] is looking for his quantum of solace. He wants his closure… He had his heart broken at the end of the last movie and that certainly is a spur for him in this one… I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t revenge in his heart. But it’s more than that. That spurs him on, but that’s not what the movie is. It’s not a revenge movie. It’s about him figuring a few things out.”

Quantum Of Solace is due out Nov. 7. Mark your 007 calendars!

Emmy Rossum Talks Dragonball



Emmy Rossum just blogged about her filming experience with Dragonball (out later this year) and the passing of Heath Ledger. Check out what she had to say in the entry titled “Buenas Tardes”:

“Hi everyone! Happy new year! Thank you for your sincere holiday wishes and the lovely poster/project some of you sent to me. It is truly special and I am proud to put it up in my house. I can see how much time and care went into creating it and that really touches me! It made my holiday THAT much more special!

Since the new year I’ve been back on the set of Dragonball. In addition to working in Durango, we’ve been shooting in some pretty remote yet stunning locations. So, I’ve been literally “out of range” for a few days at a time. We shot in Mexiquillo, about 2 hours outside of Durango where the landscape is amazing and looks - in places - much like the forests of New England. The dense green trees reminded me of New Hampshire and Maine, and made me feel very at home. The sunrises and sunsets are really spectacularly beautiful. Mexiquillo is pretty remote, and there weren’t any hotels around, so we were actually “camping” in log cabins, all together. It was exactly what you’d imagine, campfires at night with smores and kumbaya… Okay, maybe not kumbaya, but we did do the smores! It’s been a LOT of fun, especially bonding with the cast. All the actors get along great! After only a few weeks shooting we already have inside jokes and pretty much know each others life-stories. I’ve been listening to some harder music to access the edge inside me to bring to the character, some Lincoln Park and Dream Theater. I’m enjoying developing the character and training, learning to ride a motorcycle has been thrilling.. Its manual, so I’ve been learning all about clutch and throttle (don’t laugh, this is all new to me!) And I think I’ll be able to drive a stick-shift car after this film too!

Right now I am writing from a helicopter (with my costars, Chow Yun Fat, his lovely wife and Joon Park). We are on our way to the desert where we will be filming for the the next few days. I am the lucky one who gets to sit up front with the pilot (who was very careful to instruct me not to touch anything; knobs, controls or otherwise) Chow and Joon are taking pictures in the back and we are having a lot of fun. The landscape is alternating between, rolling sand dunes, green
mountains dotted with cactus and farms laid out in geometric order with terracotta colored earth. I want you all to see what I see, so I’ll upload some pics later when I can connect my camera to my laptop.

On another note, l want to say how deeply saddened I am by Heath Ledger’s sudden passing. I did not know him very well, but well enough to see he was a kind man, a devoted father and an immense talent. My heart goes out to his family and his young daughter in this time of grief. He will be so missed.

Love,
Emmy“

Liv and Milo Take to the Sky

After their tropical family vacation in Hawaii, Liv Tyler headed to LAX yesterday with Milo. Her mini-me turned 3 last month but he's looking like such a big boy — almost too big to be toted around by mom. Luckily these two had help with their luggage because Liv already had her arms full with Milo and her fab red bag. Love that Liv coordinated her bag with Milo's jacket.

Lucy the MIchelin?

All the talk around town about how the new ABC TV series Cashmere Mafia is the new Sex and the City has clearly gone to Mafia star Lucy Liu's head ... she is under the impression that she is actually Carrie Bradshaw, capable of wearing ridiculous-looking clothing in public and that it actually looks good. Here are a few pics of Lucy as she made her way into the Valentino fashion show in Paris, France last night:



While she deffo looks like she is trying to look like the Michelin Man upon further reflection, I now think she looks like she was spawned from an illicit sexual encounter between the Michelin Man and one of those marshmallow Peeps. I suppose Lucy deserves snaps for taking such a fashion risk ... I just don't think that this one worked out for her. [Source]

Sorry, Oprah, I Want to Talk About Heath

Oscar winner Daniel Day Lewis was on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" today, ostensibly to talk about his current Oscar nomination -- but instead made an emotional statement on the death of Heath Ledger.


Click to see video.

Breaking away from Oprah's prepared questions, Lewis choked-up as he spoke of the late actor -- even though he "didn't know him."

Imagine a Flashback

Sean Lennon, 32, was spotted in New York -- looking so much like John Lennon (or a Yeshiva student) -- it was eerie!



Sean was walking with a fiercely hatted woman in SoHo on Wednesday, where temperatures were near freezing. John and Yoko were snapped in Paris in 1969 -- when John was 29.

Last Video of Heath?

A grainy cell phone video of Heath Ledger taken three days before his death might be the last footage of the actor.

A British website, TheLondonPaper.com, posted the video -- claiming it was shot from an apartment window overlooking the Clerkenwell set of "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." It was reportedly taped on the evening of January 19.

Natalie Is Big in France and Hopefully in Germany, Too

Natalie Portman looks pretty all in pink on the cover of French Elle. These photos are giving us the feel of Spring in the middle of Winter, which is one of the many reasons why we love Natalie — she's always a breath of fresh air. She's been busy with her new movie Brothers and her vegan shoe line, but we may get to see more of Natalie on the red carpet when The Other Boleyn Girl premieres at the 58th annual Berlin International Film Festival. It starts on February 7th so hopefully we'll get a peek at Natalie catching a transatlantic flight in the very near future.

Britney's Back In . . . and Out of Court



Britney and Kevin headed back to court this morning for an emergency custody hearing. Britney requested it to ask for therapeutic visitation rights, and of course, showing up is a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, Brit never made it to the actual courtroom and had already left the building when Kevin was sworn in. Her lawyer said, "I don't know whether she'll be here or not. I don't want to delay the hearing." The hearing is supposedly already over, and although Kevin and Brit were not required to be there, it probably would have helped Britney's chances of gaining visitation rights if she actually stayed. Hmmm, I wonder what the judge will do now.

UPDATE: Britney will not receive the requested visitation rights and Kevin will remain with sole custody for now.

More Condolences From Heath's Friends



As the world continues to mourn Heath Ledger, the police are still trying to find the cause of his tragic death. An autopsy was conducted this morning, but proved to be inconclusive, which means it will be at least a week or so before we find out any more details on whether or not Heath's death was an accident. However, members of the NYPD are still saying that suicide is unlikely and that the pills found in the apartment were actually in containers and in different rooms, not scattered around the bed as was originally reported.

Meanwhile, more of Heath's friends and fans are speaking out about their loss:

* In Los Angeles, Russell Crowe said: "He was a gentle, beautiful man, a fine actor, a loyal friend. I feel deeply for his family."

* Rachel McAdams posted on her MySpace page: "My heart goes out to Heath's family and friends during this time of great loss. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few years back and I can definitely say he had a wonderful career ahead of him. Undeniable talent and a loving new father. It's so tragic to see it all end so soon and sudden."

* Cate Blanchett said, "I am shocked and very saddened by the news. I deeply respect Heath's work and always admired his continuing development as an artist. My thoughts are with his family and his close friends"

* Helena Christensen said, "I am just beyond sad at this point and shocked. I was on my way over to pay him a visit when I found out. I had just left him a message and heard his voice on the machine. He was such a special and genuine person, so extraordinarily talented because he was so raw and honest with his feelings."

Where is Jake Gyllenhaal?



Jake Gyllenhaal has yet to be seen or heard from since the death of his close friend, Heath Ledger -- and people on the set of his new film are working hard to keep it that way.

Gyllenhaal is in New Mexico, currently filming his new movie, "Brothers." We're told there are no plans to shut down production, but Jake is very upset and doesn't want to talk to the media -- so the set has been closed to non-crew members and extra security has been hired.

Jake is the godfather to Heath's daughter, Matilda Rose.

Whoopi Goldberg is the Genie



Actress/comedian (and co-host on The View) Whoopi Goldberg portrays as the Genie from Disney’s Aladdin, in part one of a dream scene entitled “Where a Whole New World Awaits,” created by photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Gisele Bundchen is Wendy From ‘Peter Pan’



Supermodel Gisele Bundchen portrays Wendy Darling, beckoned by dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov as Peter Pan and actress Tina Fey as Tinker Bell, in a scene entitled “Where You Never Have to Grow Up,” created by photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Access Exclusive: Friend Scheduled To See Heath Ledger The Night He Died Speaks Out



Joseph Aloi, a friend of Heath' Ledger's and a tattoo artist who worked on the actor, sat down exclusively with Access Hollywood for a candid chat about the late actor.

Aloi revealed how Heath was attempting to cope with the breakup from former fiancee, Michelle Williams, saying, "He was working really hard on keeping himself centered and whole, thru this whole emotional process with his separation and everything with his daughter."

Aloi tattooed, "Matilda," the name of Heath & Michelle's daughter, on Ledger's stomach last December, shortly after the couple separated.

Heath recently got a tattoo of a dragonfly on his arm.

Aloi stresses Heath's biggest passion was being a father to two-year-old, Matilda, saying, "It was the light and absolute joy of his life. He wanted to be with her all the time."

Despite reports of multiple prescription meds found in Heath's home, Aloi, who spent time with Heath last year at clubs, says he saw no signs of drugs or alcohol with the actor.

"The couple times I was with him, he was drinking Coca Cola on the rocks and just dancing-- and sweating," Aloi tells Access.

In memory of his good friend, Aloi has given himself a new tattoo that reads, "For my brother Heath, rest in peace."

White House Postpones Anti-Drug Campaign After Ledger Death





Heath Ledger's death has even affected President Bush.

The White House has postponed today's event where President Bush was going to promote an ad campaign aimed at preventing prescription drug abuse.

White House press secretary Dana Perino says they thought it would be better to postpone the event "rather than run the risk of anyone thinking that we were being opportunistic in highlighting the issue."

Sleeping pills were found near Ledger's body. An autopsy was conducted, but more tests are needed.

Heath and Matilda Left Footprints in Brooklyn



Heath Ledger left something more than just the impact he made on those he met and those he touched through film - he and his daughter, Matilda, left their footprints in concrete.

The 28-year-old actor and his two-year-old daughter stamped their feet in wet concrete in Brooklyn, close to where they lived.

Is Britney Seeking Help?



Britney Spears' lawyers, Trope & Trope, have decided to stick around, despite citing a "breakdown of communication" and asking to be excused from her custody case earlier this month.

Now is she actually seeking help?

People close to her are allegedly pushing for the psychiatric evaluation she has long resisted, and Britney might be listening.

Recently, she's alarmed everyone around her with her bizarre behavior, like taking on different personalities and claiming to not know boytoy photog Adnan Ghalib.

Yesterday's chaotic fiasco was no exception. She bailed on the emergency custody hearing she requested after just an hour, telling officials inside the courthouse that she wanted to go home.

But instead of heading to her Beverly Hills pad, she drove to a local PetCo with a massive paparazzi entourage in tow. With a new assistant in the car, she pulled up to the store but decided she didn't want to go inside, telling cameramen, "I don't like this."

She high-tailed it back to her car, which was parked illegally just outside the front door.

Heath's Family Flying to New York for Funeral



Funeral plans have been set for Heath Ledger, a funeral home spokesman announced today. His family is expected to fly into New York tomorrow for services at the Frank E. Campbell funeral home, where his body was taken yesterday.

Most of Heath's family is from Australia. His ex fiancée and mother of his child, Michelle Williams, flew in from Sweden last night, along with their two-year-old daughter, Matilda.

No other funeral details were made available. Fans have already set up a makeshift memorial outside his Manhattan apartment.

Paying Tribute To Heath



Warner Bros., the studio that is releasing what will be one of Heath Ledger's last films ever, the new Batman movie, has just updated http://whysoserious.com/, the Dark Knight viral site, which is "run" by his character, the Joker.

A black ribbon has been posted in memory of Heath.

Very subtle but very nice of them do something and acknowledge the tragedy.

Star Jones

Reporting on the Dead




Since we learned of actor Heath Ledger's untimely death on Tuesday afternoon, the basic fact is that until additional tests have been conducted, the autopsy is incomplete and inconclusive as to why this 28-year-old man died. That's what we know.

Let's get to what we don't know: his death was a tragic accident, or something to the contrary. Until we know for sure, I think the media should just shut their mouths and stop all the speculation that's been running rampant.

This man has a two-year-old daughter. His family is going through the worst time in their lives. Their hearts are broken, they're numb, they can't understand what's going on right now. Michelle Williams is trying to figure out how to explain to their little girl that she will never see her daddy again. It's heartbreaking, tragic, and it's being used to fuel our never ceasing desire to eavesdrop on the lives of others.

Please let them grieve in privacy and dignity for a few days at least for goodness sake. As far as I'm aware, Heath Ledger never did anything but conduct himself in the most respectful and charismatic way. He gave us exactly what we asked of him -- good entertainment and our $12 worth when we sat our butts in the seats of a movie theater. He made his living in the entertainment business, but he purposely chose not to make his life that way. He was by all accounts a normal guy in every way, a regular dad who was often photographed walking down the streets of Manhattan or Brooklyn with his daugther, Matilda.

The scene outside his apartment on the night Ledger died made me sick to my stomach. People gawking and waiting around for a body bag to be removed. I have been at similar scenes in my work as an assistant district attorney. And let me tell you, if you don't have to be there, you wouldn't want to be. It's morbid. Someone who was loved is in that bag... and trust me it takes more than a minute to get used to that.

And when actress Michelle Williams and her daughter arrived home in Brooklyn, the scene was just as bad. Instead of being allowed to enter her home in privacy, she had to endure the flashbulbs of the paparazzi waiting to snap the money shot. How she explained that to her child through her grief is something I hope never to experience.

Might I suggest that we in the media, instead of reporting on the dead based on gossip, rumor, innuendo and anonymous sources, choose to honor this man's memory based on his talent and the good taste we all should be exercising. My heart goes out to the family of Heath Ledger.

BRITNEY SPEARS IS A SERIOUS WACKO!

WATCH: Britney Spears’ Bizarre Death Message to Heath Ledger
Friday January 25, 2008

When asked by photographers Thursday how she felt about actor Heath Ledger’s death, Britney Spears replied in her British accent, “He’s still here. Oh, yes. No one ever really dies. No one.”

The singer, 26 — who chatted with photographers from the driver’s seat of her car while her assistant, Carla, was shopping at an L.A. Rite Aid — also admitted she’s not well.

“I’m already very sick — but in a good way,” she said after she was asked by photographers if she needed a sweater to keep bare shoulders warm in the rain.

When quizzed on the whereabouts of her paparazzo beau Adnan Ghalib, she replied, “Who’s that?”

Spears also engaged photographers in conversation.

“What are you fellas doing tonight?” she asked.

After one shutterbug replied, “All we want to make sure is that you’re tucked in tonight,” she flirtatiously responded, “That’s not a good thing to say to a girl at all!”

After her assistant came out Rite Aid with bag, Spears popped her trunk and accidentally bumped her elbow.

“That hurt really bad,” she yelped. “I wanna cry!”

The Last Straw in Brit's Invalid License Case

The judge in Britney Spears' other court case -- the one for driving without a valid license back in August -- continued the case today for the last time. Superior Court Judge T.K Herman said if the legal matter is not resolved by February 20, it will go to trial.

We have learned both sides are still working out a deal. We're told prosecutors wanted to put Brit on 12 months probation, but agreed to let go of probation if she agreed to pay the maximum fine of $3,000. Brit's lawyer, Michael Flanagan, won't accept those terms and wants the misdemeanor charge lowered to a fix-it ticket.

George Clooney on Being Britney Spears' Neighbor: "I Have to Move"



George Clooney didn't know he lived near Britney Spears until the area was surrounded by helicopters, police and paparazzi during the "custodial dispute" on January 3 that resulted in her two-night hospital stay.

Huffington Post reports on Clooney's recollection of the night:

"I'd gone upstairs, and I came out and I'm in a robe. All of the sudden I see all this s--t going on.

"I have a guest house where my assistant sometimes is, and I think, someone has broken out of prison and like escaped, because it's a chase scene. It's something out of Die Hard.

"I get my baseball bat, which is what you always get in every film – I actually think Clive Owen said, 'Get a baseball bat' – and I called up my assistant, who I thought was in the guest house, and I said, 'Are you OK?'

"And she's like, 'Yes.'

"And I said, 'Look, if there's someone in the place, say the word stonehenge.'

"And she's like, 'What the f--k are you talking about? I'm in my apartment.'

"I go, 'You're not in the guesthouse?'

"'No.'

"So I'm, like, 'Well, then, what the f--k is going on?' And I go out and I'm running around with a baseball bat in my robe.

"And it turns out it's Britney Spears' house is like, 300 yards from mine. So now I have to move."

Britney's Uncle: "She has tried just about everything - cocaine, crystal meth, ecstasy."



She's never gonna be talking to this dude again!

Unfitney's uncle, William Spears, spoke exclu$ively to The Sun about his trainwreck of a niece.

And he drops some bombshells!

Here are a few highlights:

- He says Brit, 26, started DRINKING when she was a 13-year-old Mickey Mouse Club presenter and dabbled with DRUGS from the age of 14.

- She is also terrified she will mimic her tragic grandmother Emma Jean, who committed suicide aged 31.

- After her turbulent early years, Willie says she went “buck-wild” on turning 18, snorting cocaine on her birthday, adding: “She has tried just about everything - cocaine, crystal meth, ecstasy.”

- He says: “I’m not just a family friend or someone who claims to know them. I was there every day, working with them. I have seen all the terrible things happen.”

- He believes her drug-taking started at 14 with marijuana but adds: “It got worse when she got famous and she found out that people would do what she wanted them to. She wanted to drink, party and go where she wanted to go. She is a ruthless little thing, make no mistake. Nobody controls her. She bosses everyone around her.”

- Willie says his brother JAMIE - Britney’s dad - must take a large chunk of responsibility for her boozy lifestyle.

- “Just about everyone in the Spears family is a drunk and Britney’s dad Jamie was one of the worst. He would drink from daylight to night. Britney saw him drunk all the time.”

- Willie is a recovering drug addict and has been clean for more than four years. But sensationally he admits taking drugs with Britney in the past.

- He says: “I know she did cocaine on her 18th birthday - I was there. We were at a party in an apartment and I spotted her doing a line just before I did one. We smoked pot together too.”

- "The drug use went up overnight when she moved to LA to pursue her career. The drugs and the alcohol helped her cope with the pressure - helped her to escape from reality. We thought maybe getting married and having kids would help her settle down but it was quite the opposite.”

- He says: “Britney is in an unstable state of mind now and there is nothing anyone can do about it. She is not listening to anybody. She has fired all the people around her who cared because she simply doesn’t want people to tell her to stop doing the things she is doing.”

- “If people think she has reached the bottom, they are very wrong. Suicide is the bottom line for Britney.”

[Image via WENN.]

Public and Media Swarm as Heath is Moved

In a crush of spectators, photographers and video cameras, the body of Heath Ledger was moved from the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel in New York -- in an outpouring of curiosity and grief reminiscent of the deaths of John Lennon and Marilyn Monroe.



TMZ is told that Ledger's father is in New York, but he was not seen at the funeral parlor today. There are reports of a private service for Heath in L.A. this weekend. Ledger will be buried in Perth, Australia.

Jake Gyllenhaal - “I Will Survive” Video

Jake Gyllenhaal does a little lipsynching and booty-shaking to the tune of “I Will Survive” in celebration of talk show host Ellen DeGeneres‘ 50th birthday (tomorrow is her actual birthday)

Other celebrities who join in on the “karaoke” fun: Victoria Beckham, Queen Latifah, Jamie Foxx, Paris Hilton, Sharon Osbourne, David Spade, Heidi Klum, Masi Oka and Celine Dion. Click to watch video.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Sons Hit Hollywood



California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gives his sons Patrick, 14, and Christopher, 10, a taste of Hollywood at the world premiere of Rambo at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday.

Rambo opens in theaters nationwide TODAY, Jan. 25.

Schwarzenegger, 60, is married to journalist Maria Shriver, 52.

FYI: Schwarzenegger does not accept his governor’s salary of $175,000 per year. Instead, he donates it to charities.

Anderson Cooper Says No to Heath Ledger Coverage


CNN host Anderson Cooper set his foot down last night, refusing to cover the death of Heath Ledger until hard facts and new evidence turns up. Here’s what he had to say on the 360 blog:

“For the last two nights we have reported on actor Heath Ledger. His shocking death is clearly a story a lot of people are interested in, but tonight we will not be reporting more on it. The truth is there is not really anything new to report.

The full results of the various tests done on Mr. Ledger will not be ready for perhaps a few weeks and there is very little new information. I have no doubt other networks will spend a lot of time tonight discussing his death and the various rumors about what might have caused it, but I am not a fan of speculation, so unless there is something really new to discuss we probably won’t be covering it anymore anytime soon.”

cnn

The Screening Room's Top 10 Romantic Moments

(CNN) -- Take a handful of screen goddesses and a clutch of matinee idols, put them together and one thing's sure to happen. Nobody does love like they do in the movies: this month on the Screening Room, we've picked our favorite silver-screen romantic moments.

From rom-coms to heartbreak, these are the scenes that skip the schmaltz to make us believe that sometimes, Cupid really does get it right. And, just for balance, we've also picked those moments that made us cringe -- or long for a sick-bucket ...


1. Casablanca
(Michael Curtiz, 1942)
Yep, it's a no-brainer. In a world full of slushy, happily-ever-after rom-coms, Bogie and Bergman find true romance in heartache, sacrificing their romance for the greater good. Bogie's "hill of beans" speech still gets us every time. Oh, the tragedy! Still, they'll always have Paris ...

No contest: Bogie and Bergman in undoubtedly the silver screen's top romantic movie moment

2. City Lights
(Charles Chaplin, 1931)
Truly, madly sweetly: Blind flower-girl Virginia Cherrill recognizes Chaplin's tramp when she presses a coin into his hand. Deeply moved, as the scale of his sacrifice dawns on her, she wells up -- as did we; his expression shifts from shame to tentative delight. The most touching film moment of all time?

3. Roman Holiday
(William Wyler, 1953)
Audrey Hepburn's princess falls for Gregory Peck's noble hack (surely that's an oxymoron!) -- but while the ending is bittersweet, it's the playful scene at the Mouth of Truth, with its pitch-perfect comic timing, that captured our hearts.

4. From Here to Eternity
(Fred Zinnemann, 1953)
"Nobody ever kissed me the way you do." Army sergeant Burt Lancaster and troubled wife Deborah Kerr find refuge in their torrid, adulterous affair; the heat between them is tangible. With the tumultuous waves crashing over the embracing couple, Zinnemann creates one of old Hollywood's most iconic images.

With Deborah Kerr, it’s not the bare shoulders that matter. It’s the eyes.

5. Amélie
(Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2001)
A sheer moment of joy, as Amélie (Audrey Tautou) zooms through Paris on the back of Nino's (Mathieu Kassovitz) bicycle. The laughing couple freewheel down the cobbled streets past Sacré Coeur, filled with the delirious exuberance of new love. Ah, c'est l'amour.

6. Annie Hall
(Woody Allen, 1977)
The highlight of Woody Allen's confessional masterpiece is Annie's (Diane Keaton) first meeting with Alvy (Allen) at the tennis club where we're blown away by her vitality, ebullient charm and fresh contrast with Allen's wound-up, navel-gazing New Yorker. La-di-da, la-di-da, la la!

7. La Dolce Vita
(Federico Fellini, 1960)
Fellini's beautifully choreographed tableau in the Trevi Fountain sees young journalist Marcello (Marcello Mastroianni) rendered helpless as buxom screen goddess Sylvia (Anita Eckberg) draws him into her spell. A paean to those fleeting moments between sunset and dawn when reality slips away to reveal something altogether more magical.

8. Before Sunrise
(Richard Linklater, 1995)
They've no time for mix-tapes, so Celine (Julie Delpy) and Jesse (Ethan Hawke) head to a record store's music booth to acid-test their compatibility. In its confined space, they nervously avoid each other's eyes, so painfully aware of each other's physical presence. A moment that evokes strong memories of those sweet first-love connections.

9. Lost in Translation
(Sofia Coppola, 2003)
Bob (Bill Murray), a movie star well past his sell-by date, and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a neglected newlywed, are two lost souls who are cast adrift, and come together, in Tokyo. Their parting moment, when Bob whispers his secret farewell to Charlotte, is all the more romantic for its mystery.

10. When Harry Met Sally
(Rob Reiner, 1989)
Forget the orgasm scene in Katz's Deli. Forget the strolls in scenic Central Park. After ninety minutes of vacillating, Harry and Sally have one final bout of verbal sparring before they finally get it together for good. Now that's what we call New Year fireworks.

.......................

And our most cringe-worthy moments...

Four Weddings and a Funeral
(Mike Newell, 1994)
Out of the frying pan, into the fire: Hugh Grant escapes Bridezilla to pour his heart out to Andie MacDowell, who utters her painfully corn-dog response: "Is it still raining? I hadn't noticed." You could have had Kristin Scott Thomas, you dolt!

Howard the Duck
(Willard Huyck, 1986)
Please, no! Down in B-movie hell, we hid our eyes and winced as lovely Lea Thompson attempted to seduce a rather startled duck-shaped alien. There should be laws against that sort of thing. Wait a minute, there ARE laws against that sort of thing!

The English Patient
(Anthony Mingella, 1996)
"I've watched you - on verandahs, at garden parties, at the races ... " Ralph Fiennes turns stalker in Mingella's improbable mush-fest. And don't even start us on the bit where he runs across the desert. As Seinfeld's Elaine says, "Quit telling your stupid story about the stupid desert and just die already! Die!"

Ralph Fiennes with Kristin Scott Thomas in The English Patient

Titanic
(James Cameron, 1997)
Timeless romance? We think not. As Leo slips away, Kate Winslet's star-crossed lover cries, "I'll never let go, Jack. I promise." And then does -- scurrying as quickly as her hands will paddle her to the safety of a lifeboat, a warm blanket and a nice cup of tea. Ah, the relief.

Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones
(George Lucas, 2002)
"I've been dying a little bit each day since you came back into my life." Any scene featuring Hayden Christensen's moody teen has us wincing, but he's most awkwardly shown up against Natalie Portman, who struggles nobly through Lucas' plodding love-lines. Georgie, please, leave out the romance. We're begging you.

Hayden Panettiere to Lead Whale Rally



Hayden Panettiere will lead a rally against a resumption of commercial whaling at 1 p.m. this Sunday, January 27, in Washington, D.C.’s Dupont Circle. The event kicks off a whirlwind trip to the Nation’s Capital for Hayden, who will later speak with policymakers and students to encourage increased whale protection.

The 18-year-old Heroes star is a spokesperson for the Save the Whales Again! campaign, which is calling on the United States to stand up for whales at the International Whaling Commission and take diplomatic and economic action against whaling countries. After the rally, she will speak at Georgetown University. On Monday, she will meet with representatives from the embassies of Japan, Norway and Iceland to question their outdated whaling practices.

“Whales face increasing threats from climate change, ship strikes, entanglement in nets, and chemical and noise pollution, yet Japan, Norway and Iceland continue to kill them in increasing numbers,” Hayden said. “I am looking forward to talking with officials who actually make and carry out our policies, as well as fellow young people who will be voting in the upcoming election—I want our voice to be heard.”

On Tuesday, Hayden will speak at a 1 p.m. press conference hosted by House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee Chair Nick Rahall (D-WV). She will be joined by Rahall and Senator John Kerry (D-MA) in urging the US Government to reinstate its former leadership role protecting whales from commercial slaughter. An evening reception with Members of Congress and their staff is the final stop on her trip.

My Life on the Gay List


The hardest working woman in showbiz made a career playing to gay men -- and in the process became one.
By Corey Scholibo
From The Advocate February 26, 2008


OK, I’ve got to admit it.

I was a little disappointed when I met Kathy Griffin. I know. Don’t hate me.

When I arrived at her palatial Los Angeles estate, I was surprised to find that I had only an hour with her before her trainer arrived—plenty of time to conduct your standard celebrity interview—but I’d assumed that once I arrived, my meticulously prepared questions would be thrown by the wayside as we curled up in her bed to watch Dancing With the Stars. Or perhaps she’d want to skip out to the Four Seasons to show the world she was doing press, while we’d really be discussing Heather Mills’s leg over dirty martinis. After all, this is a woman who once said she’d do an interview with a kitten if it would sell more tickets and who faked a drunken fall in the streets of London in an attempt to get into the tabloids. So when The Advocate -- a magazine that arguably speaks best to her key demographic -- asked her for an interview, I expected something, well, more.

I was her third interview of the day. She had gotten up at 5 a.m. to do KTLA TV’s Morning Show to promote her already sold-out engagements at the Kodak Theatre (you know, the place where they hold the Oscars). As Griffin’s assistant went to find her, I could see her Emmy on display with the winning envelope and her crumpled-up acceptance speech, in which she famously announced, “Jesus can suck it. This award is my god now.” When she appeared she was still wearing camera-ready makeup, too cakey for real life, and her signature sparkly eye shadow was faded but holding up.

We had been scheduled to meet for this interview a week before, but Griffin had personally called me to cancel. It seems Liza Minnelli was performing for just one night before her own gig at a casino in Richmond, Canada, and Liza had requested to meet her. And meet her she did.

“I knocked on her hotel room door. She opens it up. The room’s pitch black,” Griffin tells me now. “She’s chain-smoking in bed. I get in the bed with her like Michael Jackson, and we watch The Asphalt Jungle. There was a guy who had been at the restaurant the night before—he’s one of these guys who seemed completely gay to me but had the hot girlfriend. I said to Liza, ‘Did you get a gay vibe from that guy, or is it me?’ She goes, ‘How would I know? Look who I married.’”

Let me be fair—there was nothing disappointing about Griffin herself. She was hospitable and gracious and full of just this sort of juicy tidbit. She offered me water, turned off her cell phone when it interrupted us, and answered all my questions with candor. No, as with most letdowns in life, I had actually disappointed myself. I had expected that the moment we met, Griffin and I would be instant best friends—after all, I am gay and somewhat witty. If you watch her Bravo Network reality show, My Life on the D-list, chances are that’s exactly what you’d think too. Maybe this is because Griffin comes off like someone you already know, or maybe it’s because she can’t seem to stop talking about us. In a way she’s kind of a gay man herself.

So imagine my surprise when we sat on her couch, and I had to conduct an actual interview. Griffin had no intention of being my new best friend—she was working.

Christian Brando Dead at 49



Christian Brando, the troubled son of legendary actor Marlon Brando, died early this morning, The Insider reports.

Brando, 49, passed away at 1:47 a.m. at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles.

He was admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit on Jan. 11 for an unknown illness, according to TMZ.com.

In May 1990, Brando pled guilty to manslaughter for killing his half-sister's boyfriend, Dag Drollet. He was released from prison in 1996. In 2005, Brando pled guilty to abusing Deborah Presley, his then-wife.

Ten Most Powerful Girls in Hollywood

MILEY CYRUS: THE REAL-LIFE DISNEY PRINCESS, 15
Currently on a sold-out tour as her Disney darling alter-ego Hannah Montana, Cyrus does it all - singing, dancing, acting, and merchandise deals - with nothing but smiles. The superstar earned $3.5 million last year.



TAYLOR SWIFT: THE COUNTRY DARLING, 18
After Swift's self-titled debut album sold 2 million copies, her record label gave her a tricked-out pink 2008 Chevy Silverado as a birthday gift that the home-schooled high school senior donated to a children's camp.



RIHANNA: THE HITMAKER, 19
Her "Umbrella" was the song of the summer - spending seven weeks at the top of the charts - but the singer says she's not done yet: "I'm looking at getting into film, and I'm working on my own businesses." She's already hawking a line of umbrellas.

Ten Most Powerful Girls in Hollywood

VANESSA HUDGENS: THE DREAM TEEN QUEEN, 19
Despite a nude photo scandal, the actress-singer made $2 million last year thanks to the Disney juggernaut High School Musical. "It's time for a new generation," she says. "To be a part of that is really cool."



ASHLEY TISDALE: THE HIGH SCHOOL HOTTIE, 22
HSM made her a star - and her new nose gave her plenty of attention - but what gets Tisdale most excited? "I have a Barbie doll coming out," she tells Us (not to be confused with her HSM doll).



THE CHEETAH GIRLS: THE TRIPLE THREAT: BRYAN, 23, WILLIAMS, 21, BAILON, 24
Sex may sell, but so does the made-for-Disney Channel girl group's messages of self-acceptance and female empowerment: their first CD sold more than 2 million copies and their tour raked in $26 million.

Ten Most Powerful Girls in Hollywood

BLAKE LIVELY, THE GOSSIP QUEEN, 20
The Gossip Girl star says her school days helped prep for her role on the CW hit: "I was in all advanced placement classes, six clubs, cheerleading. And I was class president."



AMANDA BYNES: THE MULTITASKER, 21
Last year alone, Bynes starred in the blockbuster musical Hairspray, the romantic comedy Sydney White and launched her own clothing line, Dear. All that and she's twice been on Forbes' list of the 100 most powerful celebrities.



RAVEN SYMONE: THE MINI-MOGUL, 22
Dubbed the $400 Million Woman by Ebony for the estimated revenue her That's So Raven show has brought Disney, Symone just launched Ravensymonepresents.com.

Ten Most Powerful Girls in Hollywood

ELLEN PAGE: THE QUIRKY BREAKOUT, 20
Starring in the indie hit Juno is just the beginning for this actress: she's been nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for her performance and costar Jennifer Garner dubbed her "the most powerful woman in Hollywood."

Heath's Death Could Be Natural Causes



It sounds strange, but sources intimately connected with the Heath Ledger investigation tell TMZ it's possible the actor died of natural causes.

The reason they think that -- it's now appearing that the level of toxicity (from medication) in Ledger's system was low enough that it may not have caused his death. These sources say Heath's heart stopped. It could have been a heart attack but it's not certain, at least not yet. Although it's bizarre that a 28-year-old could die of natural causes, it happens.

We've also learned authorities do not believe the housekeeper heard Ledger snoring when she walked in his bedroom at around 1:00 PM. Sources tell us, a fireman observed rigor mortis in Ledger's jaw shortly after arriving on scene at around 3:30 PM. Sources say they now believe Ledger was dead for around three hours prior to their arrival, so they don't believe the masseuse could have heard snoring.

Authorities are also annoyed at news reports that there may have been a sinister plot to remove illegal drugs from Ledger's apartment before cops and firemen arrived. There are reports out there that the masseuse called Mary-Kate Olsen and a plot was hatched to have her bodyguard remove certain drugs. Authorities tell us that's impossible, because the cops were there the entire time the bodyguard was present and there would have been no opportunity to carry out such a plan. They say it's a made up story.

As we first reported, the masseuse contacted the bodyguard because she knew he was a licensed EMT.

Britney Breaks Out Another New Accent

Hola, y'todos! Here comes another personality -- sounds like Asian/Mexican. Britney has been using an English accent for some time now, and as with everything else in her life, she's apparently bored with it. The new and improved accent sounds like a cross between Chinese and Spanish ... it's that ridiculous.



Brit Wongtinez also had a new makeshift bodyguard in the form of an older gentlemen at L'Ermitage Hotel -- who mistook Brit's assistant Carla for a pap -- and manhandled her. Guess his eyes -- and sense -- gave out on him!

Rihanna’s NRJ Awards Performance — VIDEO

Rihanna performed her hit song “Don’t Stop The Music” at the 2008 NRJ Music Awards, where she picked up International Song of the Year.

The Barbados babe worked out fluorescent tanktops and plaid skinny jeans. There’s also some hot choreography from a bunch of breakdancers!

Watch the performance below and if you haven’t already, check out Rihanna’s show-stopping red carpet look from earlier on in the evening!



Rihanna Has Super Short Hair

Rihanna rocks out super short hair (especially from behind!) at the 2008 NRJ Music Awards held at the Palais des Festivals on Saturday in Cannes, France.



SU-UUUUUUUPER SEXY! SIZZLE.

The “Umbrella” singer is nominated for International Female Artist of the Year and her hit song “Don’t Stop the Music” is up for International Song of the Year.



Don’t miss Rihanna at the forthcoming Grammy Awards that will take place February 10. Other performers include Beyonce, Foo Fighters, Carrie Underwood and Mary J. Blige. Mary J. and Beyonce are rumored to be performing a duet.

Nicole Richie Sheds Pregnancy Pounds

New parents Nicole Richie and Joel Madden head to her manager/talent agent Benny Medina’s house to celebrate his 50th birthday in Los Angeles on Friday.

Looks like Nicole is already back in shape, showing off her post-pregnancy body in a black hip-hugging dress.



Grandfather Lionel Richie, 58, was also seen at the party with his girlfriend.

Earlier in the day, Joel, 28, and Nicole, 26, were spotted stocking up on nursing supplies at The Pump Station earlier in the day.

Daughter Harlow Madden turned two-weeks-old yesterday.

E!

Diddy changed His Name, Again?



Well, the man has to stay famous somehow. If he were a woman, he could simply marry a rock star, get a high-profile divorce and then trumpet a shiny new life on the cover of Vogue: Puffy Sean Diddy Dad Bounces Back, and She's Hotter Than Ever!

But a guy like Puffy Sean Diddy Dad has to bring his fame-seeking A-game at all times, just to fend off the Greniers and the Dushkus. And as it turns out, every time the man announces a new name change, he gets fresh headlines—worldwide—and a chance to remake his image.

He's gone from a quasi-thuggish rapper type to a smooth mogul type to some other sort of type to, most recently, a serious thespian man. And it seems a new name has served as a signpost to mark each change.

For the record, the man currently known as Diddy may—or may not—be changing his public moniker to Sean John. The British tabloid the Daily Star recently quoted him thusly: "I have always evolved and taken a different name each time. Right now I want to be Sean John because that's where I am right now." But the rapper-party-thrower has since distanced himself from that quote. A rep now says that any rumors of a name change are "totally false" and that he should still be referred to as Diddy.

Oh, well that explains everything then.

A brief history and analysis:

1. There once was a boy named Sean Combs.

2. Sometimes he got angry. "Whenever I got mad as a kid, I used to always huff and puff," Combs told Jet magazine in 1998. "I had a temper. That's why my friend started calling me Puffy."

3. So, then he was Puffy.

4. Then Puffy started a career in the rap game, as they say. And circa 1996, when he moved from producing to performing, he needed a stage name that said rapper. Puff Daddy was born. As in, a mac daddy, but you know...not.

5. Jump to 2001. After a bad night at the clubs, Puff Daddy found himself facing a gun charge. He was acquitted, but it was time to combat his growing image as a thug. He morphed his name again, this time into the sleeker P. Diddy. "I just want something fresh," he said at the time.

6. One night P. Diddy was performing onstage. The chanting from his fans seemed awkward, and it displeased him. "Half the crowd [was] saying 'P. Diddy,' and half the crowd [was] chanting 'Diddy,' " he recalled to Katie Couric in 2005. So, he dumped the P.

7. Now Diddy has a part in a film version of A Raisin in the Sun, currently screening at Sundance. Time to change again? Maybe. A name like Sean John certainly beats Diddy if you want respect from acting snobs. Nothing says serious actor like a moniker that could have been lifted from the Duke of Cornwall.
Regardless of what the man is currently called, I doubt this is the last name change we'll see.

accesshollywood

New Kids On The Block Reuniting





Get ready boys and girls – the “Kids” are making a comeback.

The New Kids On The Block are getting back together, according to a report in People.

A source tells People the group will make the announcement in the next few weeks.

The boy band – made up of Jordan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood and Jonathan Knight – were a worldwide phenomenon in the early ‘90s, selling more than 50 million albums worldwide before calling it quits in 1994.

With such songs as “Hangin’ Tough,” “Step By Step” and “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” made tweens across the globe swoon.

Of course, more than a decade later, these “Kids” are all grown up.

Donnie, now 38, has dabbled in acting, landing roles in “The Sixth Sense,” “Saw II,” “Saw IV” and the TV series “Boomtown.”

Danny, also 38, released a solo album and worked as a producer with Donnie on a Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch album, fronted by Donnie’s younger brother-turned-Oscar nominee Mark Wahlberg.

Jonathan, who turns 40 later this month, is now a real estate developer on the East Coast.

Jordan, the group’s lead singer, achieved some success as a solo singer after the group disbanded. He also appeared on the third season of VH1’s “The Surreal Life” in 2004 and also appeared in the 2007 spinoff “The Surreal Life: Fame Games,” before leaving the show for personal reasons.

Joey, the baby of the group who is now 35, also released a solo album, and spent time acting. His TV credits include “Boston Public” and “Less Than Perfect.” He also spent some time on Broadway. Most recently, Joey returned to the spotlight in 2006 on the ABC reality show “Dancing With the Stars,” where he finished third with partner Ashley DelGrosso.

'NYPD' Buttocks May Cost $1.4 Million

AP
Posted: 2008-01-26 15:14:29
Filed Under: TV News

WASHINGTON (Jan. 26) - The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a $1.4 million fine against 52 ABC Television Network stations over a 2003 broadcast of cop drama NYPD Blue.


Paying the Price For Going too Far
In a 2003 episode of 'NYPD Blue,' Charlotte Ross was shown naked from behind as she prepared to take a shower. As punishment, the Federal Communication Commission has proposed fining 52 ABC affiliates $1.4 million because the scene "depicts sexual organs and excretory organs -- specifically an adult woman's buttocks."

OSCAR NOMINATIONS FOR JOHNNY DEPP, GEORGE CLOONEY & MORE



The 80th annual Academy Awards nominations were announced Tuesday morning and the list includes Hollywood favorites like Johnny Depp, Cate Blanchett and George Clooney.

Meanwhile, No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood led the pack with eight nominations each, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Clooney's film Michael Clayton was also nominated for Best Picture, as was Juno and Atonement.

The Oscars will be presented on Feb. 24, however, the writers strike could impact the number of guests who turn up. "We're dealing with contingencies but we're thrusting ahead. The point is, we're going to have a show, and we're going to give these incredible artists what they're due," said Sid Ganis, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Nominees List:
Best Picture
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood

Best Actor
George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises

Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie, Away from Her
Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
Laura Linney, The Savages
Ellen Page, Juno

Best Supporting Actor
Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton

Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
Ruby Dee, American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton

Best Director
Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Jason Reitman, Juno
Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men
Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood

Best Foreign Language Film
Beaufort, Israel
The Counterfeiters, Austria
Katyn, Poland
Mongol, Kazakhstan
12, Russia

Best Animated Feature
Persepolis
Ratatouille
Surf's Up

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe splits with lover



HARRY Potter star Daniel Radcliffe's magical romance with his girlfriend is over, the News of the World can reveal.

The boy wizard started dating actress Laura O'Toole after they met on stage during raunchy West End play Equus.

But we can confirm that although Daniel didn't (Quid)ditch Laura, they have both gone their separate ways.

Laura told us: "Daniel and I are still good friends and have a good time when we see each other. But we just have to be realistic."

The pair started dating early last year after sharing a lengthy nude sex scene in Equus, in which Dublin-born Laura, 22, was understudy for the role of Radcliffe's girlfriend.

Despite the play ending in May last year, the couple continued to see each other in secret.

They were later snapped out together in Fulham, West London, near Radcliffe's home.

He donned a baseball cap pulled down low on his forehead to try and hide from our snapper, as the pair popped in and out of bookshops.

Radcliffe is thought to have been given access to an estimated £20 MILLION trust fund on his 18th birthday last July.

At the time he was swamped by screaming female teenage fans at a Harry Potter premiere and generated even more hysteria when he admitted he was anxious to meet a girlfriend.

Daniel once dubbed actresses as "completely barking" but quickly had his heart stolen by Laura.



She made her name six years ago in the Irish TV series On Home Ground.

Producers of Equus were so impressed by her performance, she will now be the female lead opposite Lily Allen's brother, Alfie, when the play starts a four-month nationwide tour of Britain in a couple of days.

Radcliffe, set to open the play in New York towards the end of year, is also expected to bank £25MILLION for starring in the final two Harry Potter films.