Entertainment Magazine News

Many actors have played the role of James Bond in the movie: Sean Connery (1962-1967; 1971), George Lazenby (1969), Roger Moore (1973-1985), Timothy Dalton (1987-1989), and my personal choice, Pierce Brosnan (1995-2002). This year, we'll be seeing actor Daniel Craig as the new Agent 007. From the looks of it, there are people who do not want Craig to take over. Personally, I still want Brosnan for the role. However, we should give Craig a chance to show what he got. After all, he won't be chosen unless he's not fit for the role.

The first thing I should have asked the "Lady in the Water" or perhaps M Night Shymalan was: "If I retold the movie plot to my friend, would she be inspired enough to watch it?" Your answer would be, "You're an idiot." But since you're not M Night Shyamalan or "Story" (BD Howard), you don't have as much freedom to tell me that the I am. The movie is a recreation of the famed director's imaginative bedtime story for his daughters. But it's not something my friend would watch if I told her it was a thriller. In the first place, what is there to see?

Entertainment Weekly featured a review of LIW movie but I wasn't satisfied with what critiques they came up with. Sure, "narf" is a strange name for a nymph-like creature that lives in a pool passageway of a rundown apartment, but you've probably heard your sister say "narf" while she was snoozing and her saliva was starting to drip. It occurred to me that unlike the movie "Sixth Sense" or "Signs", I couldn't find any reason why anyone should watch another M Night fantasy whose plot is too bland to stir curiosity and controversy. At Sixth Sense, I was like, "What does it feel like to actually see dead people with your third eye?"

But the LIW movie is too fantastic for adults to believe, and too confusing for kids to comprehend. Unlike "The Neverending Story" or even "Indiana Jones", the sense of adventure is really far from exhilarating. It is full of suspense but hardly gripping. Worse, you won't probably remember it two days later. Was it worse than the crappy "Wishmaster"? I don't know if there's a moral lesson learned. Plus, what kind of audience is M Night targeting here, anyway? Maybe just a couple of misty-eyed adolescent girls. We appreciate the effort, but this is still a bedtime story whose value remains awry.

Jenny Jameson, oohh I love the name. It sounds like there's always something going on behind the bedroom door. Anyone who's a fan can put his hands on an autobiographical book called "How to Make Love Like a Porn Star - A Cautionary Tale" -- a tale that oozes with sex, drugs, rock 'n roll, and Jenna the porn diva herself. If you're planning to sift through the book's pages (which shows Jenna in every shape and position possible) in the bus, bring on a bandanna to cover her, or else, a good number of creeps will be peeping from all directions.

Jenna's hardcover edition is a total blast for me. It talks about her sordid past - an affair with the tattoo guy in Vegas, getting raped, becoming a stripper, and ending up becoming the porn star, big time. I haven't even mentioned her life within the industry, when she messed with drugs and slept with rock and roll stars, actors, and bigwigs. Despite my low regard for women like her, Jenna has claimed her throne in the Queendom of Pornography - making her a living sexual Barbie legend.

Jenna's story does sound cheesy. Who would be surprised of her roots when she ended up a millionaire like that? Like all human beings though, whether they have bouncy chests or they don't, Jenna yearns for a normal life which she didn't quite succeed at getting. So many affairs, yet so little depth, and she wound up still wondering if there is a soul left in her. She did marry someone cool enough, and she still dreams of having her own children. You'd think it was redic, after all the sex she's had. Buy the book but don't puke while reading it, 'cause it's totally lowbrow.

Good news to all Britney Spears fans out there! Britney announced that she will be back in the concert scene after she give birth to her second child. That's what the pop princess told Harper's Bazaar. According to her, she cannot wait to perform again, but agrees that she has to take her time to do it right and be safe. She also considers doing a collaboration with her husband, Kevin Federline, who is also releasing his own album entitled “Playing with Fire” next month.

Britney added that she is so proud of his husband because Kevin had been working very hard for this album since she got pregnant with Preston, their first child who was born last September. She described his son as a rocker kid and a beautiful baby boy. Britney also told the magazine that she and her child were very close and attached.

Britney, who colored her hair before posing nude for Bazaar's cameraman Alexi Lubomirski, said that she was “paranoid” during her first pregnancy because she was new at everything. She felt weird posing for this pictorial out of the dilemma that people might see her as a huge pregnant superstar. For now, Britney is excited of their second baby. She can't wait to give birth this fall. After that, she will be back into the fighting shape and get really intense with performing again.

Move over Spiderman because the new box-office king is here, none other than Captain Jack Sparrow of the Pirates of Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. The movie amassed a record $132 million in its first three days, according to studio estimates Sunday. It overtook the previous all-time debut, 2002's “Spiderman” which had $114.8 million in its first weekend. Also, the movie became the first film to top $100 million in just two days. According to its producer Jerry Bruckheimer in an interview by the Associated Press, he only expected the movie to open closer to the $77 million debut weekend of last spring's "The Da Vinci Code." He also added that when people in the industry predicted these high numbers, he thought they were just trying to be mean. So no matter how good they did, if they earn $100 million, they'll be failures.

Even Brandon Routh's Superman was no match for Captain Jack Sparrow. It slipped to the second spot with $21.85 million. According to Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros, "Superman Returns" has grossed $141.7 million in 12 days and should fly past the $200 million mark. Wondering who can beat this record set by the Dead Man's Chest? Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office tracker Exhibitor Relations, said that maybe the only movie that can break this record is the next 'Pirates' movie. Rounding up the top ten movies in US and Canada are The Devil Wears Prada ($15.6 million), Click ($12 million), Cars ($10.3 million), Nacho Libre ($3.3 million), The Lake House ($2.8 million), The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift ($2.5 million), Waist Deep ($1.9 million), and The Break-Up ($1.6 million).

Surely, everyone has to have a contingency plan when plan A doesn't work anymore or has already been executed and exploited of all its benefits and rewards. Such is the case very common among famous celebrities who have had their share of fame, for a day or a decade, but whose star has finally faded of superficial, showbiz value. Others go to business, to private or corporate works, and some in politics. Others still choose to stick in the industry that catapulted them to the pedestal they have been so used to, they manage young stars, they produce films and television shows, or they judge reality talent shows. Others do good in their fall back career path, others don't, just like Tyra Banks.

Forming her production outfit Bankable Productions, Tyra has decided to wisely invest her money from the many years of modeling and posing all over the globe. But got so unwise in deciding to make a talk show of her own, a show that solely banks on her popularity. Tyra, the show, is an outright, trying-to be-different, progressive-revolutionary-feminism-advocacy show that only ends up as an Oprah wannabe. The topics are as shallow as the show's understanding of what feminism is and how it can be forwarded the right way. The format clearly follows that of the basic Oprah structure, and even the spiels of Tyra herself are as if written by former Oprah writers. Even Tyra Banks herself mimics some of the trademark styles of Oprah. Even the way they want the audience to be participative is a mimic of Oprah.

If Tyra wants her talk show to have that Oprah quality, she must realized that the fame she gained from the catwalk and the glossies is not and can never be enough. Sure, she can command interest and attention because she is she, Tyra Banks is Tyra Banks after all. But the more important aspect the show, Tyra herself, and all its cast must focus on is the sustainability of the immediate and instant interest that the name Tyra can gather. Changing the show's name can be a good start, just a thought.

Haven't heard anything about Academy award-winning actor Russell Crowe? If you cannot check the internet in your house because of your busy schedule, let me update you with the latest development on the life of this great actor. According to Yahoo Entertainment, Crowe's wife Danielle Spencer gave birth to their second child. The baby will be named as Tenyson Spencer Crowe, who was born at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital weighing about 8 pounds. Crowe's manager said that the family is doing extremely well with the birth of baby Tenyson.

It can be remembered that the Australian hunk, who won a Best Actor Oscar for Gladiator, married Danielle in Australia in 2003. The couple's first child is Charlie, a two-year old boy. Crowe previously told Leno that they were expecting a baby boy. He also mentioned that he planned to videotape everything while her wife is inside the delivery room.

Crowe has just finished the dramatic flick, A Good Year, and currently filming Tenderness. He is negotiating right now to star in a film with Denzel Washington in another movie entitled 3:10 to Yuma. It looks like it's going to be another busy year for Crowe. His baby boy is definitely a blessing!

After doing stressful paperworks and other stuff in the office, I usually spend my leisure time reading no-brainer entertainment news. I also check different internet sites to be updated with the rest of the world. My attention was caught by a headline that read "Aerosmith joins Boston Pops for July 4th." I suddenly stopped and read the article. According to the news, Boston Pops, one of America's most venerable and well-known city orchestra, is joining Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry in a concert in line with Boston's annual Independence Day celebration on Tuesday. It may seem unusual because Boston Pops is famous for light classical music and family pop tunes, as compared to Aerosmith which is known for their head-banging, full-volume rock songs. Dennis Alves, Boston Pops' director of artistic planning, stated in an interview that this is one way to help introduce the Bostons Pops to the 20-somethings of today.

I considered this as unusual at first, but in the end I was convinced that this a great collaboration. Fans of Aerosmith can appreciate the music of Boston Pops, and also, those people who prefer classical music would also realize how good rock music is. Who knows, this concert can start a new trend in the music industry. In this world, nothing is impossible, right?

Some actors find it hard to detach themselves from the characters they play. That's what I realized after reading an article about Johnny Depp, who played the legendary Captain Jack Sparrow in the hit movie Pirates of Caribbean in 2003. Considered as one of today's most versatile actors, Depp is currently promoting the second installment of the movie and at the same time filming the last part of the trilogy. Depp mentioned in the interview that it was hard for him to let go of the Captain Jack Sparrow character because he had come to enjoy spending time with him or as him. He described it as one special part of himself.

Personally, I love Depp's performance very much in the first movie. He is so damn good! I still believe he should have won an Oscar for that. I have watched the movie over and over again and I still cannot believe he lost it. What happened to the Oscars there? I know Sean Penn is a good actor, but Johnny Depp is far better portraying that wacky character. I even saw Once Upon a Time in Mexico where he co-starred with Antonio Banderas. I am sorry for all Antonio Banderas fans out there but your idol's acting is no match for Johnny Depp because Depp literally stole the show in the movie. Maybe, Banderas should take up more acting lessons. As for Depp, it's not too late for him to win an Oscar because he still have two movies as part of the trilogy. Who knows, he might get another nomination from the remaining two films. But one thing is for sure, I will watch those two movies to see another breakthrough performance of Johnny Depp.

I'm calling out all those who are still denying their love for cheesy TV series to offer a one minute of silence for the great producer Aaron Spelling. He died due to complications of a stroke at the age of 83. Spelling is best known for adding color to television through the most memorable series in TV history. I was a kid in the 70s as I became a fan of Starsky and Hutch, while my older sister would dress up like Farrah Fawcett in Charlie's Angels. I could have told her back then that the only thing she shared with Fawcett was the blonde hair and the huge vacuum between their ears. The original Angels are better, with Jaclyn Smith as the hottest. The new gals suck, although I adore Drew Barrymore so much. Then in the 80s, Spelling gave us the historical Dynasty. My mother was a huge fan as she and my father's paramour would catfight ala Joan Collins vs Linda Evans. I even remember my mom using a line from Dynasty to my dad two weeks before the divorce.

As an adult in the 90s, I got hooked to Beverly Hills 90210, which spawned legions of teen drama copycats. My girlfriend back then dumped me for a guy who she said looked like Jason Priestley. I thought of her as the bad girl like Shannen Doherty. I felt bad for Aaron for failing to give her own daughter, Tori, a career. But thank God there was Seventh Heaven, a show repleted with moral values which men find hard to assimilate while jerking off to Jessica Biel. But my greatest guilty pleasure would be the endless bed-hoppings, spouse-swappings, make-out-every-five-minutes in Melrose Place. We saw Marcia Cross before becoming a desperate housewife, and Heather Locklear still looking fabulous just like in her TJ Hooker days.

It seems that supermodel Naomi Campbell is not much of a model afterall. Just recently, another maid of Naomi Campbell has filed a lawsuit against the famed catwalk superstar. The charges filed against Campbell include civil battery, employment discrimination, and personal injuries among others. Gaby Gibson, the maid who just recently filed a case against Campbell, is asking for compensatory as well as actual damages. However, the amount requested for was not stated.

The document about the lawsuit does not give much details. However, an interview with Gibson states that Naomi Campbell has called the former names. Another thing, Gibson says that the supermodel hit her with a cellphone last January. The complainant also adds that Campbell threatened that Gibson will be arrested by the police. Apparently, all these happened because of one trivial incident; Naomi was upset because a pair of jeans could not be found. This is not the 1st time that Naomi is accused of assaulting her maids. Naomi Campbell is expected to serve a 7-year sentence in prison if she is found guiltly of the said case against her. She will also be deported back to the land of Britain.

I cannot believe that some people, especially those who are already on the top, could be so mean. I mean, they have everything a person could ever want. Yet, it seems that these people just take things for granted. I sure hope they realize that they could lose everything that they have in an instant if they are not careful. The same thing goes for us, ordinary people, too.

Marriage is one of the most essential factors in uniting two people, albeit they are two opposite individuals, to show their devotion to one another. This is a step to continue a new chapter in their lives. There are different ways to celebrate such a ceremony and preparations are needed to make it a unique experience.

I am always fascinated with people getting married and I look at them as couples who are deeply in love with one another. As for me, I do not know when my faith would bring me to that moment when I shall say "I do" to that person I am romantically involved with (anyway, that's too soon, man, so what the heck, right?).

For actress, Kidman, and country singer, Urban, marriage life is just the start of their remarkable love story. The couple tied the knot around 5pm in Australia. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra accompanied Kidman as she walked down the aisle together with her father, Anthony.

Well, it's about time for Kidman to settle down after her split with ex-husband Tom Cruise whom she was married for more than 10 years. This is her moment once again as she joins Urban in matrimony to say the words, "Til death do us as part." Only time and the strength of their relationship would tell how long they last. Hmm. Let's see now who can survive longer: Tom-Kat or Nicole-Keith?

Probably one of the most under-appreciated person who works behind the camera is the casting director. More often than not, the moviegoers only gives credit to the director and the actors of a certain box-office film, forgetting some of the other important people who works behind the scene. Without some of these unsung movie heroes, some movies might fail.

Just what exactly does casting directors do? Well, casting directors are the ones responsible for finding talents for a certain film or show. They pick from hundreds of actors the ones who are best suited to play the part. Part of the casting director's job is to know all of the upcoming stars and the freshest talents.

If you are, for example, an actor who wanted to be cast in a movie, you should submit a resume to the movie or show's casting director. The casting directors in return call these prospects for interviews. It is through the interview that they find out whether an actor would most likely be up for the role. Usually, casting directors choose those whom they are familiar with, so it is really hard for aspiring actors to be immediately cast into lead roles. I think being a successful casting director's cool, since you are able to meet and rub shoulders with the stars.

When a movie hits blockbuster, the credits are given to the thesps who portrayed their parts well. But most of the credits are handed to these film directors who are the brains behind the movie's making. There's a lot of directors that make it to Hollywood, but only a few of them make it to the A-list.

Just one of those well-known directors is Steven Spielberg who gave us some of the greatest films to ever grace the movie screen. Some of Spielberg's work are "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial", "Jurassic Park", and "Jaws". Among the directors that are making it big in Hollywood are James Cameron ("Titanic" and "The Terminator") and Quentin Tarantino ("Kill Bill" and "Hostel"). They are just few of the many directors that give us box-office smash films.

But in order to be a prolific director, what does one really need? You have to be a visionary to be a good director. The most successful are the ones who are able to give the audience a groundbreaking movie. You also have to have a great imagination. Steven Spielberg's films appeal to a lot of people because they are very imaginative. Being a blockbuster director doesn't just happen overnight. Most of the directors started from the bottom of Hollywood's movie industry and gradually made their way up. A great deal of passion and hard work are your keys to make it to Tinseltown.

We have already seen enough of "The Ring" and "The Grudge", so why is Tinseltown still clamoring to get Asian movies remade? As if recreating Asian horror movie remakes are not enough, Hollywood is prepared to adapt Asian romantic comedies as well. Take "The Lake House", for example. Adapted from the Korean movie, "Il Mare", the movie stars Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.

It has been said that another Asian blockbuster would grace the cinemas with all its brand new Hollywood package. The Asian movie is "My Sassy Girl", a story about an unlikely couple whose love is left on the hands of fate (aren't all?). It follows Kyun-Woo's (Tae-hyun Cha) reluctant relationship with his nameless bossy girlfriend and their ultra schmaltzy love story.

I have seen the Korean make of this film and actually, I really enjoyed it. It was hilariously funny with all the jokes in all the right places and the cute performance by the Asian actors. I still do not know who would be Hollywood's Sassy Girl, but please, let it be not Lindsay Lohan. I still have to see whether the American remake of this charming romantic comedy would be able to surpass its Asian predecessor in the box office.

The Princess of Pop attracts another media hype by being the subject of a recent lawsuit against her. The case? Apparently, Spears' owes overtime pays of three of her ex-security guards. Now Britney Spears would have to settle these claims by arbitration.

The three guards--- Silas Dukes, Randy Jones and Lonnie DeShawn Jones were employed by Spears' two companies to give security for Spears and the pop star's home. They were promised the amount of $2,400 to $3,350 every week, but the singer was not able to pay them their dues. The companies are Britney Touring Inc., and Britney Brands Inc. which is represented by Attorney William J. Briggs II in the case.

The guards are represented by Stephen Madoni, who said that the ruling might place his clients on a definite disadvantage since it would be in New York where the arbitration meetings would be held, rather than California where the laws are more temperate. With this disadvantage, the guards' lawyer is considering an appeal. Britney Spears earns a lot from doing hit pop music so it really came off as a surprise that she can't even pay her employee's meager salaries. I just hope the guards would be given what is due to them.

A lot of the movies these days that gross millions in box office are animation. It is not surprising that these CGI-made movies rake loads of money from the popcorn crowd. These movies, after all, do not only appeal to the kids who are fond of wacky characters, but also to grown-ups who come to watch funny animated movies for their tongue-in-cheek humor and sometimes, popular cultural references or spoofs.

When I was a kid, I have always wondered how drawings move on television. I grew up watching Looney Toons, Tom and Jerry, and Mickey Mouse that at one point of my life, I was actually thinking of becoming an animator. Being an animator seems like a lot of fun. With new technological advances like CGI, animating characters and things is the coolest job in the world.

So what does it take to become a good animator? First, you must have a creative mind and bottomless pool of ideas. Second, you must at least have drawing skills. Third, you must be really dedicated to and passionate about your craft, because even though being an animator sounds easy, it is still a job that requires patience and hard work. So do you think you have the talent and passion to become a good animator?

Darryl Hannah, who is well known for her mermaid role in the 1984 movie Splash, was evicted from a walnut tree and arrested along with fellow protesters who have been fighting in order to stop the destruction of a Los Angeles farm. Prior to the arrest, the actress had spent 23 days protecting the tree. Most of the time, she was found 40ft up among its branches.

The protesters raised their fists while police officers moved in with chainsaws in order to cut through the walnut branches. The eviction of the group including the 43 year old Hannah marked the end of the protest that lasted for 3 weeks. However, Darryl Hannah was not the only celebrity to join the protests. Folk singer Joan Baez, country artist Willie Nelson, Ed Harris, Leonardo Di Caprio, and Martin Sheen all visited the site. Unfortunately, the actress was the only famous Hollywood celebrity on the tree when the eviction operation began at 5am last June 15. Awakened by the operation, the actress darted up the walnut tree only to be evicted by the police later. A developer who won in an earlier legal battle won and offered to sell the land for 8.7 million pounds. The locals protested when they managed to raise only half of the price.