Celebrity Gossip

Paulina Gretzky shuts down racy Twitter account

2011-12-03T13:29:00.000-08:00

Wayne Gretzky's daughter reportedly has posted her last tweet.

Paulina Gretzky, who turns 23 on Dec. 19, shut down her Twitter account last weekend amid speculation that her photographs were a tad too racy for the hockey icon.

"Having a nice sit down dinner with my dad about social media..haha #SIKEEE (sic)," Paulina tweeted prior to closing her account.

Paulina, the eldest of Wayne's five children with actress Janet Jones, posted several photos of herself partying at nightclubs, tanning poolside and striking suggestive poses with girlfriends.

Websites like theCHIVE and COED Magazine published photo galleries featuring her most provocative snapshots from Twitter.

The aspiring starlet posed professionally on the cover of Flare in 2005, but has struggled to establish herself as a model, singer or actress.

On Saturday, she tweeted: "Taking a break from Twitter for a bit. Happy Holidays!!! xoxo"

Milan Luthria: 'I was obsessed with getting Vidya for Dirty Picture'

2011-12-03T08:11:00.000-08:00

Milan Luthria has revealed that he was obsessed with getting Vidya Balan to star in The Dirty Picture.

Balan plays tragic South Indian actress Silk Smitha, who made her name in controversial 1980s films.

Luthria told The Times of India: "I was obsessed with the idea of having Vidya Balan in the lead role. When I met her, I was assured that I have made the right choice. Not only is she a great actress, she has a unique sex appeal.

"And I was looking for this combination in my leading lady. Vidya Balan has the voluptuousness of actresses like Sridevi and Vyjayanthimala, which we don't see in the present lot."

Luthria added: "I told Vidya that it was more my responsibility than hers to ensure that her performance comes out beautifully. It didn't matter whether she looked raunchy; she had to look erotic and sensual."

Balan reportedly suffered exhaustion on the set of The Dirty Picture because of the demanding production schedule.

She has since described her role in the film as the "toughest" of her career.

Aamir Khan appointed UNICEF Ambassador

2011-12-03T08:07:00.000-08:00

Actor Aamir Khan has become a UNICEF India Ambassador.

The Dhoom 3 star will support the organisation's work in promoting children's rights and nutrition, as half of all children in India are malnourished.

Khan said: "I am honoured to formalise my association with UNICEF as their Ambassador to help raise awareness on the issue of malnutrition amongst children.

"I realise there is a lot to be done and I hope that by lending my voice I can make a difference to the lives of children and hereby to the future of our country. Partnering with UNICEF will enable me to advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalised children in India."

UNICEF representative Karin Hulshof welcomed the appointment.

"We know Aamir Khan as a leading star of Indian cinema," she said. "He is also a compelling advocate, with an enormous drive and commitment, to transform and improve the situation of children in the country."

Marilyn Monroe's unseen 3D photos set to rake in 57 pound at auction

2011-12-03T08:05:00.000-08:00

Marilyn Monroe’s unseen photographs showing the legendary screen icon living the high life at an exclusive celeb party are set to go under the hammer.

The images, which are valued at a staggering 57,000 pounds were clicked by amateur photographer Lani Carlson in San Diego in 1952.

Carlson was working as a sound engineer at legendary crooner Ray Anthony''s launch party for the hit song ‘Marilyn’, which was written by Ervin Drake and Jimmy Shirl.

As the show stopping Marilyn descended in a helicopter, the amateur snapper quickly used his new state-of-the-art camera to take these amazing images.

In one of the shots, Monroe can be seen posing for admirers in a vibrant pink cocktail dress in front of a giant sheet of music.

Others show her greeting Ray Anthony, the helicopter pilot and a four-legged fan.

Amazingly, the colour snaps were shot in 3D, meaning when seen through a special viewer they leap out of the page.

They were taken on a David White Stereo Realist Camera, a dual-lens point and shoot that creates a three-dimensional effect when seen through a special viewer, the Telegraph reported.

The 3D images will go under the hammer alongside the copyright to all ten stills on December 14 at Bonhams’ Entertainment Memorabilia auction in Los Angeles.

Veena Malik denies posing nude for Indian magazine after Pak outrage

2011-12-03T08:03:00.000-08:00

Veena Malik appeared nude on the cover of FHM magazine with an ‘ISI’ tattoo on her arm, but has been forced to deny it after it sparked outrage among conservatives in Pakistan - both for her nudity and the reference to the country’s intelligence agency.

The controversial photo appears on the December issue of the magazine.

The image, which was revealed on FHM India’s website, Facebook page and Twitter account simultaneously, shows her nude with her arms and one leg positioned to cover her breasts and pubic area.

On her arm are emblazoned the initials ''ISI'' - the acronym for Pakistan''s feared Inter-Services Intelligence agency - with the tag line, ‘hand in the end of the world too?’

But Malik has denied posing for the lads’ mag and insists that the photo is morphed.

“I have never posed nude. I have never done anything like that ever,” the Daily Mail quoted her as saying.

“My manager and legal team is looking into the matter. We will take legal action against them,” she added.

FHM India’s editor, Kabeer Sharma, said that nothing had been doctored, and that the magazine could prove the photo’s authenticity.

“We have video footage of the shoot as well as emails from Veena about how she’s looking forward to the cover,” BBC quoted him as saying.

Sharma said the reference to Pakistani intelligence was meant to be light-hearted, saying: “In India we joke about this... if anything goes wrong... we say the ISI must be behind this.”

'Dirty Picture' needn't have been banned in Pakistan'

2011-12-03T07:57:00.000-08:00

"The Dirty Picture", which features Vidya Balan in her boldest avatar ever, has been banned in Pakistan for being too explicit, but Girish Johar of production house Balaji Motion Pictures feels it didn't deserve such treatment.

"The film, to be released Friday, was rejected by them (Pakistan)," head of acquisition and distribution at Balaji Motion Pictures, told IANS.

"The Dirty Picture", which has got an A-certificate from the censor board, was due to release across over 50 screens in Pakistan.

According to Johar, the reason behind the ban was the "too explicit and bold" content of the movie, which also features Emraan Hashmi, Tusshar Kapoor and veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah.

Despite Vidya's skin show and titillating portrayal of a 1980s' dancing star, Johar says the film didn't deserve to be banned.

"Of course not, it didn't deserve to be banned. 'The Dirty Picture' fans, Emraan fans, Vidya fans and 'Ooh la la' fans in Pakistan, all are disappointed," he added.

The narrative of the movie, is said to have been inspired by late southern sex siren Silk Smitha.

Tom Cruise visits Taj Mahal with Anil Kapoor

2011-12-03T07:51:00.000-08:00

He went to Agra and visited the Taj Mahal later in the day, media reports said.

The 49-year-old actor is currently touring India to promote his upcoming film 'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol'.

B-town star Anil Kapoor has played a small role in the movie.

Kapoor will be seen playing a character named Brij Nath in the much awaited release of the year.

Cruise was accompanied by Anil Kapoor as they visited the monument of 'love' on Saturday.

Th fourth film of the Mission Impossible series will hit the silver screens in India on Dec 16.

Lady Gaga's 14-minute music video puzzles, pleases

2011-12-03T07:46:00.000-08:00

LOS ANGELES: Lady Gaga made her music video directorial debut with a 14-minute production which was met on Friday with a mix of weariness and adulation by fans and pop culture watchers.

"Marry the Night" -- the fifth single from her "Born This Way" album -- sees the Grammy-winning performance artist making a trip to the hospital, dying her hair mint green, throwing Cheerios over her naked body and hanging upside down in a car -- all in the eight minutes before the song comes in.

Gaga, 25, told E! News that the surreal video, released on Thursday, was a portrait of the day she thought she saw her dreams slipping away from her when she was dropped from her first record label.

It was, she said, "one of the worst days in my life," but added that parts of the video were "meant to be comical."

People magazine called the video "an enigma" and said the autobiographical clip will "certainly leave fans talking, if not scratching their heads."

"AMAZING. Not just a pop singer, she's an artist," wrote Danny on the E! online message boards.

But others were clearly beginning to tire of the outrageous pop star and wondered whether Gaga was losing her touch.

"She has gone from bold to being an exhibitionist. You can't help but wonder if she has gone from a normal person to actually believing she is the persona. Poor girl," wrote Marko on the E! online board.

But Michael Gragg, writing for Britain's Guardian newspaper website, liked the fact that Lady Gaga was "embracing the ridiculous."

"Superstars are at their best when they're simultaneously aware and unaware of their own ridiculousness, and that's what 'Marry the Night' delivers for Lady Gaga. Oh, and the song's pretty good too," Gragg wrote on Friday.

Despite widespread publicity for the music video, and a performance by Lady Gaga of the new song on a Grammy nominations concert on U.S. television on Wednesday, "Marry the Night" has so far failed to catch fire.

On Friday, the song was in 38th place on the U.S. iTunes singles charts.

"I think she needs to do more editing of her creative ideas and songs ... If she gets too difficult to relate to she'll lose her fans by losing sight of the reasons they love her: fantasy, escape and her ideas about relationships, love and hard work," wrote Dragnfly on the People.com comments page. (Reuters)

Veena Malik Heats Up FHM

2011-12-02T08:45:00.000-08:00

Photo Credit snatabanta.com

Pakistani actress Veena Malik, known for enraging conservative sections of the Pakistani society following her participation in the Indian reality tv show Bigg Boss 4, has bared it all for the men's international lifestyle magazine, FHM (For Him Magazine).

Malik has done a strip photo shoot for FHM India and even tattooed her arms with 'ISI'- Pakistan's notorious intelligence agency known for its close ties with terror organizations. The issue also has Malik talking about controversial topics like veil in Muslim societies.

Veena Malik, a Pakistani actress, model and comedienne, shot to fame in India when she entered the Indian reality tv show Bigg Boss season four 2010. The actress, who cosied up with male contestants on the show and flaunted her curves unabashedly, drew sharp condemnation and criticism from Muslim clerics and conservative media in Pakistan.

After returning to her country, she engaged in a fierce debate with a Muslim cleric, who decreed that Malik had displayed "immoral behaviour" as a contestant on Bigg Boss. In her defence, Malik said that she was an artist and she wore the same clothes and behaved in the same fashion back home. She snubbed the cleric by giving him a taste of his own orthodox medicine. She asked him if he had not violated the Islamic law by watching a strange woman (Malik in the Bigg Boss show) more than once.

Malik, soon received a threatening letter by Maulana Masood, a terrorist leader known for his connections with Osama bin Laden. The letter accused her of humiliating Islam and Pakistan's name during her stay in the Bigg Boss' house.

Before entering Bigg Boss, Malik had established herself as a leading actress in Urdu cinema in Pakistan. She also worked with news and entertainment channels.

Malik is known for her various social and liberal causes. She is also a representative of the World Health Organization.

The news about Veena Malik's strip off photo shoot has gone viral on the web and among her Pakistani fans and critics.

The Dirty Picture (Movie Review)

2011-12-02T08:39:00.000-08:00

First: a disclaimer. If cheesy one-liners, ample cleavage displays and orgasms - fake or otherwise - make you uncomfortable then stay away from this film.

‘The Dirty Picture’ not only thrives on these traits but literally celebrates them like never before in its 144 minutes of unabashed, in-your-face entertainment, entertainment and entertainment.

Undoubtedly, it is Vidya’s one of the finest outings in which she portrays the role of Reshma aka Silk, obviously, 'inspired' by the real life story of Silk Smitha.

Here’s a quick synopsis to her tragic tale:

Reshma is a non-conformist who leaves home to become a star in the big bad world of Tollywood. She has no qualms about her sexuality and knows that everything comes at a price.

After series of rejections, she finally lands up in a solo-dance number but critically acclaimed director Abraham (Emraan hashmi) robs her off that big-ticket to silver screen. Heartbroken, she is ready to move back to her sleepy village, when the producer (Rajesh Sharma) includes her risqué jig again to pep up the tepid collections and sets box-office on fire.

The world now wakes up to Silk and no film is complete without her ‘dirty’ antics. Be her childhood crush and now aging superstar Suryakant (Naseeruddin Shah) or millions of frontbenchers no can keep their eyes, minds or hands off Silk.

But as they say, success without honour is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good. Silk learns this bitter truth the hard way.

Though people are lapping her every act yet she is still their dirty secret, hidden somewhere in their closets or dark bedrooms not deemed worthy of their company. She chooses not to pay attention but reality comes to bite her at last when her own mother spurns her and slams the door on her face. And so does rest of the world, finally.

Series of failures in her love/lust affairs leaves her bitter and she smashes all the pretence of shame and decency. Her dream project and triple-role extravaganza turns out to be a flameout and she sinks further into the abyss of depression.

The two hardest things to handle in life are failure and success and Silk stands miserable at both. Ironically, Abraham - the man who hated her the most, is now the only solace in her troubled life. But it’s too late to resuscitate her decrepit soul...

With ‘The Dirty Picture’ director, Milan Luthria has put his hand in the dirtiest pit of the Indian cinema and excavated a gem in the form of Vidya Balan. You can’t help but appreciate the effort she puts in to make her Silk look authentic.

In an age where majority of leading ladies won’t dare to look overweight, Vidya carries her ample love-handles with aplomb.

Here are a few things you’ll like about the film, apart from Vidya:

The smashing first-half replete with Rajat Arora’s witty one-liners, Naseer Saab’s slithery Surya and Emran Hashmi’s understated yet powerful Abraham.

What you may not like is the dragging second-half and the way the director handles Silk’s fall from the grace. However, Milan redeems himself in the climax as Silk’s meets her tragic end.

All in all, ‘The Dirty Picture’ may not be your perfect family outing but it is the ‘Silk’ route you must take this weekend.

Kim's naked yoga session sent Kris packing

2011-12-02T08:36:00.000-08:00

Kris Humphries was left furious after he walked in on his former wife Kim Kardashian, her sister and friends taking part in a yoga session with a naked male yoga instructor on their reality show.

Kardashian, 31, and Humphries were seen coming to blows during the season premiere of 'Kourtney and Kim Take New York', which was aired on U.S. television on Nov 28.

Only the male instructor bares everything in the yoga session.

Even though the reality star keeps her clothes one, the basketball star is not happy about her being in the company of a naked man.

That is disgusting," the Daily Mail quoted him as saying.

"This is my home. This is disrespectful.

The socialite fires back after Humphries makes his feelings known in front of the instructor.

"You are so immature I can't take it," she said.

"You can't take it? I can't take it... I felt uncomfortable when I came in. I nearly threw up," he said.

Things get even more personal when he tells her that he can no longer live with Kourtney, who had organized the naked yoga session.

"Kourtney cannot live with us anymore. I will personally pay for her to have a room on a different floor."

But in the end it is Humphries who leaves, and heads to Minnesota, expressing concerns that his New York lifestyle is getting in the way of his training routine.

World's first sex school opens in Austria

2011-12-02T08:32:00.000-08:00

While many people may think it's an activity which should be best learned behind closed doors, an enterprising Swedish schoolmistress thinks otherwise. Ylva-Maria Thompson has opened the world's first international sex school for teaching the art of being better lovers, the Daily Mail reported.

The Austrian International Sex School in Vienna offers 'hands on' lessons in seduction for 1,400 pounds a term. The 'headmistress' says anyone over the age of 16 can enrol at 'the world's first college of applied sexuality'.

Students of the course are expected to stay in a co-ed dormitory block where they're expected to practice their 'homework'. By the end of their course, they are awarded a qualification.

The school head said: "Our core education is not theoretical, but very practical. The emphasis is on how to be a better lover.

"Sexual positions, caressing techniques, anatomical features. And we teach people hands on."

School's spokesperson Melodi Kirsch exuded confidence that the school would be a great success.

The school, however, has already turned controversial in Austria with its raunchy advertisments showing a couple making love having already invited a ban by Austrian TV.

Silk was competing with international porn: Vidya Balan

2011-12-02T08:28:00.000-08:00

Vidya Balan analyses what changed the definition of eroticism in a film actress over the years...

It is amazing to see the kind of journey that the portrayal of sensuality in women in Bollywood has taken. Till the 80s, men had no access to titillation except perhaps in magazines or desi detective novels, which were actually suggestive.

Then in the 80s, the video revolution happened and people could watch whatever they wanted within the confines of their homes; all sorts of fantasies were being catered to. Porn was available at the click of a button.

So it became a huge challenge for filmmakers to drag this particular set of audience out of the house to watch their films.

So it is interesting to see how the films of those days introduced this sexy woman who was disqualified to be a heroine, because the filmmakers were not yet comfortable with the sensuality of a 'good' woman.

Since they had to include the titillation factor, the vamp was introduced.

And then by and by, they stopped pretending and these women were purely introduced as sex objects. They were after all competing with international porn, which was easily available to any man. So in came this dancing girl who was skimpily clad and who used lewd gestures.

Some of the scenes that these films, especially the south Indian ones had, were so suggestive that it sometimes gets shocking. Like this scene I saw of Silk Smitha trying to dance with the hero's leg placed on her crotch. She is balancing herself on her hands and legs and moving off the floor. It is incredible.

And then there is this scene where she has to seduce a horse! So, there were many kinky scenes but they couldn't go the whole hog.

Makers started getting more and more creative and every film started including one such kinky song, hoping to get the audience into the theatre, at least for the sake of that song.

I think this piqued the interest of every man...I am surprised that many of my so-called polished male friends, who look down on Bollywood, have all watched movies like Kanti Shah ke angoor.

I think it was only in the 90s that heroines were allowed to be sexy. Suddenly it was okay to desire the heroine and not look at her just as someone who can be taken home to meet parents.

Songs like Dhak Dhak, Chholi ke peeche, Kaate nahi katthe, etc started being introduced. If you see Kaate nahi katthe, it is almost like Shridevi is making love to the camera, but hats off to her and Saroj Khan, that not for one moment it looked sleazy.

Actresses got comfortable with sensuality and I think that was a good sign. Now of course, we have come a long way.

Credit: Mid-Day.com

Manisha Koirala's last bid to save her fading career

2011-12-02T08:25:00.000-08:00

The actress has chosen to return to Mumbai to promote her next, in a bid to boost her fading career

Manisha Koirala's film Do Paise Ki Dhoop Chaar Aane Ki Baarish will release on International Women's Day, (March 8).

She plays an aging disfigured sex worker with a 12-year-old child. There are plans to tie-up the film with the work that she does with UNESCO for women and children.

The actress will also be spending time with sex workers in Mumbai.

Manisha is leaving no stones unturned to make this her comeback film. She is all set to leave behind her life as a housewife in Nepal for this. She would be spending nearly two months in India, travelling to Mumbai and other parts to promote the film.

Says a source, "At the moment Manisha is making a very sincere effort to make her marriage work. But Do Paise Ki Dhoop... is a very important film for her. Besides the film's director Deepti Naval is the actress' best friend."

Sources suggest that the success of this arthouse film will decide the future course of her career.

Adds the source, "This is her do-or-die bid to regain lost glory. Both director Deepti Naval and Manisha are aiming for a National Award through this film."

Says the source, "If Do Paise Ki Dhoop... works for her, then she'd consider a serious shift to Mumbai. For now she will give the promotion her entire concentration, although her husband is apparently dead-set against her return to Mumbai."

Deepti Naval confirms, "She has rightly decided to give the film the time it deserves, away from her personal commitments."

Manisha confirmed she would spend significant time on her film. "I am in a meditation course. I can't talk until December 22. But yes, I'll be flying in and out of Mumbai, as I need to be in Nepal too, " the actress messaged.

Credit: Mid-Day.com

Britney Spears to offer free Mexico City concert

2011-12-01T03:18:00.000-08:00

MEXICO CITY: US pop singer Britney Spears will deliver a free Christmas concert in a downtown Mexico City plaza, Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said Tuesday.

Spears will perform at the Monument to the Revolution on Sunday, kicking of Christmas festivities in the populous city, Ebrard said.

In late August 2009 some 11,600 volunteers set a Guinness world record by dancing the Michael Jackson song "Thriller" in unison at the Monument to the Revolution.

Mexico City festivities include a giant Christmas tree; an ice rink at the Zocalo, the main city square; and artificial snow during a parade.

The so-called "Princess of Pop" will also perform at concerts in the western city of Guadalajara on Friday, in Mexico City on Saturday, and in the northern city of Monterrey the following Tuesday. (AFP)

Pippa Middleton, Kardashians among "most fascinating" of 2011

2011-12-01T03:15:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK: What do Britain's Pippa Middleton and the Kardashian family have in common?

They are all among the 10 most fascinating people of 2011, according to veteran journalist Barbara Walters.

Middleton, 28, younger sister of Prince William's new wife Kate, was named on Wednesday along with British reality TV guru Simon Cowell, singer Katy Perry and businessman Donald Trump as making the list in Walter's annual ABC TV special.

Walters will announce the number one most fascinating person of 2011 when the 90-minute show "Barbara Walters Presents the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2011" airs on December 14.

Other celebrities making up the top 10 most prominent names in entertainment, sport and pop culture include baseball star Derek Jeter, and "Modern Family" actors Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson who play a gay couple on the Emmy-winning TV comedy.

Middleton found unexpected fame during the British royal wedding in April when she wore a figure-hugging white dress as maid of honor to her sister Kate. She has been a constant fixture in U.S. and British celebrity media ever since.

Socialite sisters Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian and their mother Kris -- the biggest reality TV stars in the United States -- found new fame in 2011 when Kim held a lavish summer TV wedding after a whirlwind romance that ended in her filing for divorce just 72 days later. (Reuters)

The Twilight Saga: The Breaking Dawn Part 1 (Movie Review)

2011-11-29T13:14:00.000-08:00

The reason why the 'Twilight' series captured our imagination a few years ago was the originality of its idea and execution. Watching the penultimate film in the series, you will be stuck with a series of dejà vus.

You won't have to rake your head hard to figure out where you had seen bits and pieces of "The Breaking Dawn" for it literally takes inspiration from and shamelessly copies the execution of almost every single TV soap-opera and their Indian avatar - the saas-bahu sagas.

Isabella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) finally get married and Edward unwittingly gets Isabella pregnant. As the fetus grows rapidly, it threatens Bella's life. But she is unwilling to abort the baby despite the urging of everyone around.

Afraid of the half-human, half-vampire baby growing inside Bella, the wolves plan to kill her even as the Cullen family and Jacob (Taylor Lautner), fight to save her.

The only originality the film hold is in its combination of cliches of multiple genres. Thus you have an exotic woman in possession of an ancient wisdom (from the monster movie genre) calling Edward a monster.

You have once again a jealous friend in Jacob who mouths cheesy lines (teenage romance genre) and you have a understanding and protective family speaking dialogues straight from soaps (family drama genre)...the list goes on.

It even begins with 'the' teenage cinematic marriage sequence of the millennium.

As the jealous best fried Jacob runs off in anger, the couple is married in a dream marriage that even Prince Charles and Diana could not have dreamt of. This and the honeymoon is slow and long, but has enough oomph for girls with romance in their eyes to lap up.

There is no point commenting on the acting department which actually relies on the inability of its actors to act, and their abilities to look either pale and white, expressionless or perennially angry.

"The Breaking Dawn" is good only for the die-hard fans of the franchisee, or teenage girls with fairy tale romance lighting up their eyes or fans of Mills and Boons. Others beware of a headache.

Yoga, Potter are evil: Vatican exorcist

2011-11-29T13:11:00.000-08:00

Vatican’s chief exorcist has claimed that practicing yoga and reading ‘Harry Potter’ brings evil. Father Gabriel Amorth, who has carried out more than 70,000 exorcisms in the past 25 years after being appointed by the late Pope John Paul II, surprised delegates at a conference by revealing his dislike for yoga and ‘Harry Potter’.

“Practising yoga brings evil as does reading Harry Potter. They may both seem innocuous but they both deal with magic and that leads to evil,” the Daily Mail quoted him as saying.

“Yoga is the Devil’s work. You thing you are doing it for stretching your mind and body but it leads to Hinduism. All these oriental religions are based on the false belief of reincarnation,” he said.

Speaking on the subject of People And Religion at a fringe event at the Umbria Film Festival in Terni, Father Amorth spoke of his distaste for JK Rowling’s young wizard.

“People think it is an innocuous book for children but it’s about magic and that leads to evil. In Harry Potter the Devil is at work in a cunning and crafty way, he is using his extraordinary powers of magic and evil,” he said.

“Satan is always hidden and the thing he desires more than anything is for people to believe he does not exist. He studies each and everyone of us and our tendencies towards good and evil and then he tempts us.

“My advice to young people would be to watch out for nightclubs because the path is always the same: alcohol, sex, drugs and Satanic sects,” he added.

This is not the first time that the 85-year-old has raised eyebrows with his forthright views, as last year he had said that the ongoing child sex scandals rocking the Catholic Church were evidence that “the Devil was at work in the Vatican”.

Lady Gaga wants balls or brains!

2011-11-29T13:08:00.000-08:00

Lady Gaga has revealed that her ideal man must push the boundaries.

The 'Marry The Night' star, whose current relationship status is not known, said her ideal partner must have a range of qualities.

Asked what she looked for in a man, Lady Gaga said, "Talent and perseverance, and pushing the boundaries of love and acceptance.

"I don't know, I can't really say. It ranges from a really big [d**k] to a degree at Harvard. Just about anything."

Lady Gaga was recently reported to be dating 30-year-old actor Taylor Kinney, although the star has not confirmed the relationship.

Bigg Boss's Sunny Leone is bisexual

2011-11-29T13:07:00.000-08:00

Porn star Sunny Leone, who entered the Bigg Boss house recently, has claimed that she discovered she was bisexual when she was 18, but says she prefers men.

The entry of an X-rated star has made season five of Bigg Boss its most controversial season ever.

Leone, now a citizen of US, was born in Canada as Karen Malhotra on May 13, 1981 to Sikh parents.

She was sent to a Catholic school because her parents thought a public school would be unsafe for her.

By the time she was 14 her family had moved from Canada, to Fort Gratiot in Michigan before finally settling in Lake Forest, California, the Mirror reported.

Leone was training to be a paediatric nurse in Orange County when she was introduced to agent John Stevens by an exotic dancer friend.

He, in turn, introduced her to Jay Allen, a photographer for lad’s mag Penthouse, in fact the second half of her porn name ‘Leone’ was chosen by Bob Guccione, the former owner of Penthouse magazine.

She moved into hardcore pornography in 2005 when she signed a three-year contract with Vivid Entertainment.

Her first film was entitled Sunny and her second film, Virtual Vivid Girl Sunny Leone, won her an AVN adult industry award.

Despite her chosen field being far from family-friendly, Leone, who presently lives in Hollywood, hopes to retire one day, get married and start a family.

Heidi Klum named 'Most Dangerous Celebrity' on the web

2011-11-29T13:05:00.000-08:00

Heidi Klum has replaced Cameron Diaz as the most dangerous celebrity to search for on the Web, according to Internet security company McAfee. For the fifth year in a row, McAfee researched popular culture’s most famous people to reveal the riskiest celebrity athletes, musicians, politicians, comedians and Hollywood stars on the Web. The McAfee Most Dangerous Celebrities™ study found movie stars and models top the “most dangerous” list this year while singers and sports stars are among the safest.

Cybercriminals often use the names of popular celebrities to lure people to sites that are actually laden with malicious software. Anyone looking for the latest videos or pictures could end up with a malware-ridden computer instead of just trendy content.

Fans searching for “Heidi Klum” or “Heidi Klum and downloads,” “Heidi Klum and ‘free’ downloads,” “Heidi Klum and photos” and “Heidi Klum and videos” are at risk of running into online threats designed to steal personal information. Clicking on these risky sites and downloading files like photos, videos or screensavers exposes surfers or consumers to the risk of downloading the viruses and malware.

McAfee research found that searching for the latest Heidi Klum pictures and downloads yields more than a 9% chance of landing on a website that has tested positive for online threats, such as spyware, adware, spam, phishing, viruses and other malware.

The study uses McAfee SiteAdvisor software that provides ratings that indicate which sites are risky to search for celebrity names on the Web and calculate an overall risk percentage. The top 10 celebrities from this year’s study with the highest percentages of risk are:

1. Heidi Klum – Klum, the former Victoria’s Secret model and current producer of “Project Runway” moved up from #10 on last year’s list to #1 today. Searching for Klum results in nearly a one in ten chance of landing on a risky site.

2. Cameron Diaz – 2010’s Most Dangerous Celebrity fell to 2nd place, with searches resulting in slightly fewer risky sites this year. She has most recently been in the spotlight with her 2011 movies “Bad Teacher” and “The Green Hornet.”

3. Piers Morgan – A new addition to the top 10 list, Morgan also the most dangerous male celebrity. He is best known as the host of “Piers Morgan Tonight,” taking over for Larry King, a winner of the “Celebrity Apprentice,” and one of the judges on “America’s Got Talent.”

4. Jessica Biel – 2009’s Most Dangerous Celebrity fell one more spot this year with searches resulting in fewer risky sites. Biel continues to be in the spotlight with her on-again, off-again relationship with Justin Timberlake, and appeared in “The A-Team” in June 2010.

5. Katherine Heigl – The former “Grey’s Anatomy” star moved into the top 10 for the first time this year. Heigl has appeared in recent movies such as “Killers” and “Life as We Know It.”

6. Mila Kunis – The former star of “That 70s Show” makes her first showing in the top 10 list, bolstered by starring in movies such as “Black Swan” and “Friends with Benefits.”

7. Anna Paquin – This “True Blood” star is as dangerous on the Web as she is on the screen. She moved up from #10 last year to #7 this year.

8. Adriana Lima – Searching for downloads of this Brazilian beauty can direct users to red-ranked sites. Lima is best known for being a Victoria’s Secret Angel since 2000. Searching for Lima became slightly safer, moving her from #6 last year, to #8 this year.

9. Scarlett Johansson – The former child star has gotten more dangerous as she’s grown up. Named in 2010, as “Babe of The Year” by GQ Magazine, Johansson most recently appeared in “Iron Man 2.”

10. Emma Stone, Brad Pitt and Rachel McAdams – Pitt has been a mainstay of this list, appearing in the top 10 for the past four years. Stone and McAdams are new to the top ten. Stone, the star of last year’s “Easy A” has appeared in “The Help” and “Crazy Stupid Love” this year. McAdams has most recently appeared in “Morning Glory” and “Midnight in Paris.”

Demi Moore to 'punish' Ashton Kutcher

2011-11-29T13:03:00.000-08:00

Actress Demi Moore has reportedly instructed lawyers to "punish" her estranged husband Ashton Kutcher by "grabbing his fortune".

The 49-year-old actress has confirmed she is splitting from the 33year-old Kutcher after it was alleged that he had cheated on her with another woman.

She is said to be planning to claim part of his personal fortune, even though they signed a pre-nuptial agreement while tying the knot in 2005.

"With a pre-nuptial agreement, Ashton should be sitting pretty. But Demi is furious. She wants to punish him financially because of the way he has broken her heart.

"She is talking about going after a share of what he has earned since their marriage on the grounds that she contributed to much of what he has achieved," femalefirst.co.uk quoted a source as saying.

"She is going to give him a bitter fight and, whether or not she wins, it will be an expensive lesson for him," the source added.

Lady Gaga's perfume to smell like 'An expensive hooker'

2011-11-29T13:01:00.000-08:00

Lady Gaga says her new perfume may have been based on blood and semen, but it smells like an 'expensive hooker'.

Coty Beauty, which is the firm behind the fragrance, has not yet confirmed the details behind the name of the pop queen's creation.

But given Gaga's fondness for the Monster association as her fans are called Little Monsters, and has given herself the moniker Mother Monster, as well as tattooed the name on her arm, so the name seems a likely one.

The 25-year-old singer signed the license in September 2010, and allegedly requested that the scent smell of "blood and semen."

The 'Born This Way' hitmaker's request was for the fragrance to be based on the molecular structure of the bodily fluids, not the actual aromas themselves.

"You get the after-feeling of sex from the semen and the blood is primal," the Daily Mail quoted Gaga as saying.

The blood element is based on the molecular make-up of the star's own blood.

"It was taken out of my own blood sample so it's a sense of having me on your skin," she said.

"I wanted to extract sort of the feeling and sense of blood and semen from molecular structures, so that's where [the rumours] came from.

"That is in the perfume but it doesn't smell like that.

"Actually the perfume smells like an expensive hooker," she added.

Kate Middleton's teeth deliberately unaligned

2011-11-29T12:58:00.000-08:00

Kate Middleton's teeth have been deliberately made "not too perfect" which helped her in giving a "natural, healthy smile, but not an artificial one", a French dentist has claimed.

Didier Fillion uses a system of "micro-rotations" and gentle whitening to make teeth look spectacular. The process involves fitting invisible braces to the back of teeth to twist them very slightly until the desired look is achieved, The Sun reported.

A state-of-the-art computer system produces a virtual 3D model of what a patient's teeth will look like when they're finished.

A fellow dentist Bernard Touati claimed that the Duchess Of Cambridge has used Fillion's services.

"You know why they look good? Because they are not absolutely aligned. "He (Fillion) did some little micro-rotations on Kate Middleton to produce something which is natural. That is what we like - a natural, healthy smile, but not artificial," Touati was quoted as saying.

David Winkler, of the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry, said the trick was to aim for "harmonious asymmetry".

"By slightly rotating teeth, it can break up that unnatural straight line," Winkler said.

Fillion's job takes six months to two years, and costs 4,000 to 11,000 pounds.

His other clients include actresses Kelly Brook and Sadie Frost.

Dressed to Kill: Kangna to share Lady Gaga's darzi

2011-11-29T12:55:00.000-08:00

Kangna Ranaut, who is all set to play a mutant in the Krrish sequel, has to lose five kilos to get into her costume. We give you a sneak peak of what her character will look like in the visual-effects laden superhero flick.

It has been learnt that Kangna's designer Gavin Miguel has sourced a plastic-like material from the US for her character's costume.

"One of the teams sourced to make the outfit for her in Krissh also stitches Lady Gaga's costumes, " reveals our source.

Giving further details about her costume, the source says, "Considering the kind of material it's made from, Kangna will have to apply special oil on herself to be able to wear it."

Perhaps she should take some tips from SRK on staying in such costumes for long hours, as he did for RA.One.

Our source adds that director Rakesh Roshan wants to make sure people forget Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider when Kangna makes her entry in the movie. Kangna's character is a mutant said to be inspired by Mystique from the X Men series.

When contacted, Gavin maintained that they're still in the process of finalising the costume, so that it looks "more like a second skin."

He asserts, "Since it's a completely body-hugging costume, we require a fabric that stretches and fits perfectly. Hence a lubricant-based oil has to be applied on the body before getting into it. We're still in the testing stages because the costume should not be suffocating."

The designer says that they're also figuring out a way to make the actress avoid wearing the costume all day. "We're trying to work out a design that is easy for her to get into and get out of, " he points out.

The designer and his team have a month to finalise the costume as Kangna still has a month before she starts shooting for the film. "So far, they're happy with the way the look is coming up. Since it's a challenging assignment, I hope it becomes an iconic look in Bollywood, " Gavin signs off.

Credit: Mid-Day.com

Anarkali is different from Munni: Malaika Arora Khan

2011-11-29T12:53:00.000-08:00

Malaika Arora Khan tells MiD DAY about her next item song and more in an exclusive during her touch-and-go visit to town yesterday

Your next item number is Anarkali Chali Disco for Sajid Khan's Housefull 2.
I have collaborated with Farah Khan yet again. I dance with Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Ritesh Deshmukh, Shreyas Talpade, Mithun Da and Boman Irani in the song.

It was great fun as this is not the first time I'm working in this environment, which is a Sajid Khan film. I have been a part of all his films.

I truly believe Farah, who has choreographed this number as well, is very talented and manages to do something different every time and bring out the best. So, I'm quite excited.

The success of Munni Badnam Hui can be partially attributed to its risque lyrics. What are the lyrics of Anarkali like?
They're not risque. It's a completely different song. Munni was very tongue-in cheek and had a North Indian feel to it. The reason I decided to do it is because it's very different from Munni. It's a hardcore disco song. I'm wearing club wear. We have finished shooting it in Mumbai. The film releases in May.

What's keeping you busy right now?
Right now what's keeping me really busy is pre production of Dabangg 2. We are in the process of finalising everything because we start early next year. What I am really enjoying is that I'm very hands on as a producer this time. The first time, I was merely a rubber stamp.

Chitrangada Singh recently said that her she idolises you.
Oh my god. I think that's really sweet. I know her and she's absolutely fantastic, beautiful and talented. And it's great to see mommies today are giving young girls a run for their money.

It's flattering to hear someone admires you and great to see women post marriage and babies, out there, looking better than ever and not letting themselves go after marriage and children. That, for me, is more exciting.

Designer Sanchita recently said in a fashion magazine that everything about you is flawless except that you don't experiment too much with your hair.
(laughs) I shall definitely take that into consideration. I think I am very straight jacket when it comes to my hair and make up. I don't experiment too much with that. I like to reinvent myself every now and then though.

Your New Year's Eve performance last year was the talk of the nation. Where are you performing this year?
This time I'm not so sure. I haven't quite decided whether I'll be in Mumbai or travelling with my family.

According to your D.O.B in a website, you will be 40 in the next two years. How are you so ageless?
Not really. You are ageing me way before my time. They have my birth date and year wrong. I have another five years to go. As for being ageless, the secret is yoga. If you're happy on the inside, you're happy on the outside.

Credit: Mid-Day.com

'Breaking Dawn' tops weekend box office

2011-11-29T12:50:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK: Vampires feasted at the Thanksgiving weekend box office, bringing the newest "Twilight" movie its second win in a row, over a strong comeback for "The Muppets" and other family fare that filled theaters.

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1" delivered an estimated $113.5 million around the globe from Friday through Sunday. The film ranked No. 1 for the second straight week at U.S. and Canadian theaters, where ticket sales hit $42 million for three days and $62.3 million over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The film's total box-office take since its release reached $489.3 million globally.

"Breaking Dawn: Part 1" is the fourth movie in the "Twilight" series, one of Hollywood's most lucrative franchises. The movies are based on best-selling novels by Stephenie Meyer about a human-vampire-werewolf love triangle, a story that has generated legions of die-hard female fans.

For the latest movie, "word of mouth is good. (Fans) are supporting the film," said Richie Fay, president of domestic distribution for independent studio Summit Entertainment, which backed the film.

In second place, audiences welcomed the Muppets back to theaters for the first time in 12 years.

New Disney movie "The Muppets," starring Jason Segel and Amy Adams alongside Kermit, Miss Piggy and their puppet friends, took in a strong $29.5 million at North American (U.S. and Canadian) theaters in three days. The five-day holiday weekend haul reached $42 million domestically. Two international markets added $1.6 million.

Disney bought the rights to the Muppets in 2004, and the media, entertainment and consumer-products giant is eager to interest a new generation in the characters.

"It's hard to have anyone argue we didn't bring them back," said Dave Hollis, Disney's executive vice president for motion picture sales and distribution. The movie's performance "exceeded expectations," he said.

The Muppets starred on a weekly television show in the 1970s and early 1980s plus a series of films, the last being 1999's "Muppets from Space."

Critics loved the new Muppets movie, with 98 percent giving it a favorable review, according to aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences awarded an A rating on average, according to exit-polling firm CinemaScore. The movie cost about $45 million to produce.

FAMILY FILMS COMPETE

In third place for the weekend, dancing penguin sequel "Happy Feet Two" earned $13.4 million over three days domestically during its second weekend in theaters and $18.4 million through five days.

Rounding out the top five were two other new family movies that critics adored.

Animated 3D movie "Arthur Christmas," which cost about $98 million to produce, pulled in $12.7 million at domestic theaters over three days and $17 million in five days to finish in fourth place. The movie explains how Santa delivers presents around the world in one night and has earned $22.3 million overseas since opening two weeks ago.

Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution for Sony Pictures, said the film "opened about where we hoped it would," adding that he expected the Christmas theme would appeal throughout the holiday season.

"Hugo," a 3D family movie, ended the weekend in fifth place with $11.4 million over three days and $15.4 million over five days. The movie centers on an orphan living in a Paris train station in the 1930s.

The film exceeded studio forecasts for its release in about 1,300 locations, far fewer than the 3,000-plus for the other widely released films, said Don Harris, president of domestic distribution for Paramount.

In a small number of theaters, "My Week with Marilyn," starring Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe, opened with $1.8 million from 244 screens from Friday through Sunday. Critics have praised Williams' performance in the Weinstein Co. film and mentioned her as an Academy Award contender for the role.

Walt Disney Co released "The Muppets." Privately held Summit Entertainment released "Breaking Dawn: Part 1." "Arthur Christmas" was distributed by Sony, and "Hugo" was released by Paramount, a unit of Viacom Inc. Time Warner unit Warner Bros. distributed "Happy Feet Two." (Reuters)

Desi Boyz (Movie Review)

2011-11-29T01:14:00.000-08:00

When a young guy makes his debut as a director and ends up dishing out the stale, tasteless fare, the disappointment is twice as much.

At the outset, Desi Boyz (that z in the title made me cringe even before watching the film) dealing with two hard working fellas turning gigolos because of recession, might have held some promise of a sensitive story line.

But Rohit Dhawan's movie manages to take it to a level which veers between the utterly ridiculous to plain unbelievable.

Two college friends, Jerry Patel (Akshay) and Nick (John) decide to take up the profession of being male escorts when they are laid off due to recession. They have a veteran gigolo, Sanjay Dutt to mentor them.

The movie makes this otherwise shady profession look so glorious, that don't be surprised if some impressionable youths now aspire to be male escorts.

All Jerry and Nick have to do is dance at bachelorette parties amidst semi nude women and still emerge being the wonderful twosome just gone astray for a bit.

While the first half has some fleetingly funny moments, in the second half the movie collapses altogether.

At one point it seemed like no one, not the script writer, not the director and definitely not the actors had even an inkling of what was going on.

And to top it all, a few 'poignant' issues were casually thrown in, like Akshay Kumar informing how great India is, to a clueless firang professor etc..

No even those yawn inducing seen it before moments could help the movie qualify to be even called decent. Sorry did I use the word decent?

Shouldn't have with this film. Akshay Kumar is pretty good, However, can't say the same about the rest of the cast, John, Deepika and Chitrangada. Don't really blame them.

This mish mash of a movie just didn't deserve any better.

Credit: Mid-Day.com

Immortals (Movie Review)

2011-11-18T00:53:00.000-08:00

Freida Pinto, I'm afraid, is turning into a bit of a running joke within the English film reviewing community, given her incredible luck of working with acclaimed Hollywood filmmakers and then delivering extremely forgettable performances.

In Singh's Immortals, she gets the longest screen-time of her career as Phaedron, the virgin oracle who can predict the future as long as she remains 'undefiled' by man.

Her best moment in the film, however, is completely unintentional. As she tends to the wounded peasant warrior Theseus (Cavill), it's clear that a sex scene is in the offing.

Suddenly, within the blink of an eye, Pinto is underneath Cavill and talking about how she wants to be 'defiled' by him. Cut.

Emotions, dialogue and logic go out the window, and a number of us at the press screening collapsed into a fit of giggles at this jarring transition. No credit to Pinto; full credit to the Indian Censor Board and its ridiculous policies.

Singh, known for making visually stunning films like The Cell (2000) and The Fall (2006), helms this gorgeous looking disappointment (from the makers of 300, say the ads) which is let down by a wafer-thin storyline, poor characterisation and inconsistent acting.

Set in ancient Greece, it revolves around the evil King Hyperion (Rourke, one of the few actors who can make sadism look awesome) and his search for the legendary Epirus bow, with which he plans to destroy all of humanity.

This bow is the only weapon that can release the Titans, a mythical race of immortal beings that has been imprisoned by the Gods. Theseus, who has been unknowingly trained by the god king Zeus in mortal form (Hurt), is the chosen one to save humanity.

There is a stunning sequence towards the end, where the Gods clash against the Titans, juxtaposed against a fierce hand-battle between Theseus and Hyperion.

Singh's visual sensibilities come out all guns blazing here as body after body is poetically slashed open, and it is glorious to behold. After more than an hour of underwhelming battle scenes that aren't even a patch on 300, this scene is an admirable attempt at redemption.

Except it can't, especially when it's that late into the movie and your hero is no King Leonidas. Cavill tries hard, but he has neither the screen presence of Gerard Butler, nor a line of memorable dialogue to deliver. The other actors range from bad (Pinto, Evans as young Zeus) to serviceable (Dorff as the thief Stavros). Rourke delivers the only really enjoyable performance here.

Much of the movie is uninteresting, with a few set pieces proving to be of brief interest. Immortals looks gorgeous for the most part (barring a couple of sequences where the CGI looks less-than-impressive), but what it lacks is cohesiveness and style. Singh may reputedly be a visual genius, but he's no Zack Snyder.

Credit: Mid-Day.com

Aishwarya gives birth to a baby-girl

2011-11-16T20:41:00.000-08:00

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has given birth to a baby-girl at the Seven Hills Hospital here, Geo News reported.

Aishwarya who is married to Abhishek Bachchan was expecting her first child and reported to have checked in Seven Hills Hospital Tuesday evening.

"IT'S A GIRL!," Abhishek, also a top actor, wrote on his Twitter account,
@juniorbachchan, without giving any further details.

Bachchan's father, Bollywood legend Amitabh, tweeted his joy at the new arrival: "A dada ji (a grandfather)...Ecstatic!", calling his new granddaughter "the cutest baby girl".

Lady Gaga to adopt Indian kids‎?

2011-11-16T08:51:00.000-08:00

Pop star Lady Gaga, who recently visited India, is reportedly planning to adopt three kids from an Indian orphanage and one from America.

Gaga has set up the not-for-profit group Born This Way Foundation to help people worldwide develop a new standard of care towards one another.

"...She's already set up her Born This Way Foundation in India and visited two orphanages while she was there last time.

"The plan is to adopt three Indian orphans before adopting more from around the world. She wants at least one American child, too," dailystar.co.uk quoted a source as saying.

"She's always wanted to adopt, ever since she was a little girl.

"She tells friends she feels she was put on this planet for a reason and since achieving fame she sees it as a sign that she has to give back the good fortune she's received," the source added.

J.Lo is sex mad, claims toyboy lover

2011-11-16T08:49:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Lopez's latest flame Casper Smart claims that the pop diva has an insatiable appetite for sex.

The 24-year-old dancer says that the 42-year-old Latin beauty has the body of a woman half her age, and is not afraid to use it.

"Casper said J-Lo has an amazing body and she's in better shape than any other girl he's ever been with," the Sun quoted a pal a saying.

"He said she's got the body of a 20-year-old. They're inseparable right now.

"It's just about sex - and no one's sure if it has much of a future. But he's having a good time finding out," the friend added.

Dancer Casper started working on the singer's world tour six months ago, but in recent weeks the pair have been getting to know each other on a series of dates.

They have been spotted partying in Las Vegas and leaving hotels after nights together.

A source close to Lopez has confirmed their relationship has developed into "a fun fling", adding: "They're dating and having a good time."

Katrina is 'Chikni Chameli'

2011-11-16T08:47:00.000-08:00

After becoming a rage with item number "Sheila ki jawaani", Katrina Kaif is set to gyrate to "Chikni chameli" in Karan Johar's remake of his father's 1990 critically acclaimed "Agneepath".

"Katrina Kaif is doing a full on item song in AGNEEPATH....its a total swinging number called CHIKNI CHAMELI....we shoot it in a week, " Karan posted on his Twitter page Tuesday.

The British-born actress danced to "Sheila ki jawaani" in Farah Khan's "Tees Maar Khan". But she was also the lead actress of the film. In "Agneepath", Katrina will just be seen in the song "Chikni chameli".

The original Amitabh Bachchan-starrer "Agneepath" featured Archana Puran Singh in item number "Alibaba".

The new "Agneepath" is being directed by debutant Karan Malhotra. Releasing Jan 26 next year, it will see Sanjay Dutt in the villain's role.

Reema weds Dr Shahab in Virginia

2011-11-16T08:44:00.000-08:00

LAHORE: Lollywood barbie doll Reema Khan has officially tied knot with American cardiologist surgeon Dr Tariq Shahab Wednesday in Virginia court, Geo News reported.

According to sources, the Nikkah took place at a local court in Virginia according to American law while Rukhsati will take place on November 18.

While talking to Geo News on telephone, Reema said that she considers herself very lucky as she will be a part of an educated and respected family.

Regarding wedding preparations, the actress told that she has put amazing Henna designs on her palms and her family members have created a joyful wedding mood all around.

Hassan Shehryar, who is a Pakistani fashion designer of international repute, has prepared the wedding dresses for the bride and groom.

The wedding ceremonies began from Monday with the Mayun function.

Reema is in the US with her parents and relatives who will attend the wedding functions. After marriage, the actress will stay in America for few weeks in a house bought by Dr Shahab for his wife.

Rockstar ( Movie Review)

2011-11-16T00:51:00.000-08:00

Jim Morrison once said, 'Film spectators are quiet vampires'... and in case you are planning to catch his self-confessed disciple Janardan ‘Rockstar’ Jakhar (Ranbir Kapoor) in action this weekend, you are in for a feast.

In Imtiaz Ali’s most complex project till date, Ranbir has delivered a performance which hardly any of his competition can hope to emulate. From being a downtown North Dilli boy JJ to an angry and bitter Jordan, he makes up for all the holes you can pick in Imtiaz Ali’s plot with his brilliant histrionics.

Yup, Ali’s Rockstar lacks depth... just like its protagonist Janardan’s life. With a hairdo and clothes that resemble the fashion of the early 1970s, Janardan, or JJ as he calls himself, is constantly trying to ape rockstar Jim Morrison and is constantly seeking a formula to become one.

His confidants, college mates and college canteen owner Kattara Bhai tell him that to be a rockstar one needs to experience life altering love, heartbreak and self discovery. And his mind ticks till he spots Heer (Nargis Fakhri).

Heer is the diva of the college, poised and polished very lady like. Their union seems unfeasible. After a few scenes, we learn that she is to be married off within 20 days and wants to experience all that is forbidden.

The duo makes a list and bond over soft-porn cinema in a seedy Delhi theatre and country liquor but without emotions for each other. In due course, JJ is christened Jordan, which seems to be an apt name for a rockstar.

As the mystery unfolds over layers of flashbacks, it takes the story to a designated plateau and halts.

At stages, you feel you are watching a documentary, full of montages of memories lined up over good music. Be it Sufi music or the shehnai-guitar jugalbandi, A.R. Rahman's music touches your heart.

Performances are superb. Nargis is a sure threat to Katrina Kaif. Shammi Kapoor sharing screen space with Ranbir touches a raw nerve. Over all, Ranbir carries away accolades for his histrionics.

Coming from a director who has given wonderful hits like "Jab We Met" and "Love Aaj Kal", "Rockstar" fails to match the hype. It's evident that there is something amiss with the characterisation of this love story.

During the entire transition it is not revealed how Jordan becomes a symbol of rage nor does it reveal the 'junoon' of Nargis' character. But even Imtiaz Ali's non-linear and jerky story telling can’t eclipse the rise of a Rockstar.

With some beautiful wide angle shots, the film captures scenic Kashmir, Prague and Delhi in a way that has not been seen in the recent past.

The editing too is crisp but the last half hour is agonisingly similar to Shahid Kapoor's "Mausam". It just goes on and on.

The dialogues are refreshingly rustic and funny. An extra star in the rating for Ranbir's performance. He along with AR Rahman’s stellar music makes ‘Rockstar’ a great one-time watch.

Ladies vs Ricky Bahl trailer released

2011-11-15T20:36:00.000-08:00

MUMBAI: Official trailer of Ladies vs Ricky Bahl starring sizzling Anuskha Sharma and Ranveer Singh has been released.

Ladies vs Ricky Bahl is all set to hit the cinemas on December 9.

Maneesh Sharma's latest direction is about Ricky Bahl, a ‘classy’ conman, who cheats women across different cities for a living and finally meets his match in the sizzling Anushka Sharma in Goa.

Aishwarya Rai checks in for delivery

2011-11-15T20:35:00.000-08:00

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has checked into Seven Hills Hospital according to Indian media reports.

Aishwarya who is married to Abhishek Bachchan is expecting her first child this week. According to reports, Aishwarya has been visiting the hospital for regular checkups and Abhishek told an Indian news paper that all he wants is a healthy child.

Brad Pitt set to quit acting at 50

2011-11-15T20:33:00.000-08:00

SYDNEY: Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt has revealed he plans to quit acting in three years, but the 47-year-old admitted he is not sure what he will do after ditching a career which made him a household name.

During an interview with an Australian current affairs show in Tokyo to promote his latest movie "Moneyball", the American actor was asked how much longer he would like to "do your business for".

"Three years," he said.

When the reporter pressed him on what would happen then, he replied: "Hell if I know. I am really enjoying the producing side and development of stories and putting those pieces together."

Pitt also revealed that he and partner Angelina Jolie were open to expanding their brood of six children, in the interview screened on Australia's "60 Minutes".

"You know, I don't know that we're finished. I don't know yet," Pitt said, adding that he enjoyed the chaos of having children around despite the lack of sleep this entailed.

"I mean, because those late nights are so fun when one of them's up or those mornings when they get up and make pancakes or something. That's what it's about."

Pitt said his family with Jolie had changed his career, and influenced the kinds of films he wanted to make.

"If I'm choosing a film now, I want it to be maybe less immature than things I have done in the past," he said.

"I'm very conscious, when they're adults I want it to mean something to them. I want them to think, 'Dad's alright'. It changes everything. Everything."

The actor, who rose to prominence in 1991's "Thelma and Louise" and went on to star in "Ocean's Eleven" and "Fight Club", said he had not dealt well with fame in the past and was worried about media attention on his children.

"Sure I worry. It's the only thing I get hot about, I'm ready to fight about," he said.

"But on the other hand you know, it's a trade-off, like anything.

"And we, these guys, I'm so happy for them, because they get to see the world. And their lives are so enriched by it. The privacy issues are something we're always battling."

The actor, who has received critical acclaim for "Moneyball", said he was content with life.

"I think happiness is overrated, truthfully. I do. I think sometimes you're happy, sometimes you're not. There's too much pressure to be happy," he said.

"Satisfied, at peace, those would be more goals for myself." (AFP)

DiCaprio fails to beat 'Immortals' at box office

2011-11-15T20:28:00.000-08:00

LOS ANGELES: Big-budget 3-D epic "Immortals" reigned supreme at the North American box office this weekend, beating an Adam Sandler comedy and a Leonardo DiCaprio biopic, industry data showed Monday.

Set in ancient Greece, "Immortals" scored $32.2 million in weekend receipts, pushing it past Sandler's "Jack and Jill," in which he plays both a successful Los Angeles advertising executive and his needy twin sister Jill.

The comedy came in second with $25 million, according to monitor Exhibitor Relations.

Animated kids' romp "Puss in Boots," last week's leader, took third place with $24.7 million. The flick features voice work by Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis and Billy Bob Thornton.

In fourth was "Tower Heist," with an all-star cast led by Eddie Murphy -- who quit as Oscars host last week after a row over anti-gay comments by the film's and the Oscars' producer Brett Ratner -- at $12.7 million.

It was trailed by Clint Eastwood's "J. Edgar," which stars DiCaprio as late FBI director J. Edgar Hoover and raked in $11.2 million.

Comedy sequel "A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas" fell to sixth place, with $5.9 million, besting futuristic thriller "In Time" starring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried at $4.1 million.

Dropping to the eighth spot was "Paranormal Activity 3," with $3.6 million over the weekend but an impressive total of $100.8 million over four weeks in theaters.

A remake of the hit 1980s dance romp "Footloose" slipped to ninth at $2.7 million, ahead of the boxing robots of "Real Steel," with the Disney hit for children starring Hugh Jackman taking in $1.9 million. (AFP)

Reema Khan all set to tie knot on Nov 18

2011-11-15T08:31:00.000-08:00

LAHORE: Famous Lollywood actor and director Reema Khan is all set to tie the knot with an American cardiologist surgeon Dr Tariq Shahab on November 18.

The wedding ceremonies have kicked off from Monday with the Mayun function while Nikkah will be held on November 18.

Reema is in the US with her parents and relatives who will attend the wedding functions. After marriage, the actor will stay in America for few weeks.

Shah Rukh Khan's Don 2 release in doldrums

2011-11-14T08:25:00.000-08:00

MUMBAI: The release of Bollywood mega star Shah Rukh Khan's next movie Don 2 is said to be doldrums over a copyright infringement.

The allegation of copyright violation has emanated from none other than the production house Nariman Films that produced the original Don movie starring Amitabh Bachchan in 1978, said reports.

According to Nariman films, Excel Entertainment, headed by Farhan and Ritesh, only had the copyright to remake the original Don movie which they did in 2006 with Don: The Chase Begins Again. The agreement for the remake expired in 2009 and was not renewed by Excel Entertainment.

Excel Entertainment has been served a legal notice for the infringement of copyright.

It has been reported that Nariman films will be approaching the courts to halt the release of Don 2 on December 23.

Marilyn Monroe's never seen before photographs exhibited in New York

2011-11-13T08:30:00.000-08:00

Several never seen before photographs of Marilyn Monroe, are being featured in a new exhibit devoted to the legendary actress.

The exhibition titled ‘Picturing Marilyn’, opened on Thursday at the Milk Gallery in New York and is set to run through the weekend.

According to the organisers, it spans Monroe’s life in front of the camera lens, starting with her teenage years, when she was photographed on the beach by Andre De Dienes,

It was timed to coincide with the release of the film ‘My Week with Marilyn,’ which stars Michelle Williams as Monroe.

The exhibit is made up of more than 60 images of the actress, shot by some of the most famous photographers, including her photo shoot with Philippe Halsman for the Life magazine cover when she was 26 years old.

Co-organiser Bert Stern’s photograph of Monroe in a black Dior dress shot for Vogue magazine is the centrepiece of the show.

He also shot Monroe’s final portraits, a series known as “The Last Sitting,” in 1962.

In total Stern shot more than 2,500 images of Monroe, but has released only a few for public viewing.

Among other previously unseen images is a De Dienes shot taken of Monroe when she was 23 in a rare moment, where she was without make-up, the Telegraph reported.

Another picture from 1954, by Bruno Bernard, shows Monroe casually stretched out across rows of movie theatre seats and dressed in head-to-toe white.

Sarah Ferguson's cleavage inspired Chris Martin's 1st song

2011-11-13T08:27:00.000-08:00

Coldplay’s Chris Martin has revealed that his first song was inspired by the former Duchess Of York Sarah Ferguson’s cleavage.

The rock frontman was 11 years old when he penned his first song, and the ex-royal redhead’s boobs provided the spark.

“I was 11 years old when I wrote my first song,” the Sun quoted the rockstar as saying.

“It was a terrible song about people being more obsessed with Sarah Ferguson’s t*ts than what was really happening in the world.

“I kept it clean as you couldn’t swear where I was from. I was singing very high and no one was listening,” he added.

Olsen twins beat Middletons for best-dressed sisters

2011-11-13T08:26:00.000-08:00

The Olsen sisters are on the cover of Vogue’s best-dressed supplement for this issue.

Vogue is looking at stylish sisters this time, with sisters from the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and her sister Pippa, to celebrity singers Beyonce and Solange Knowles.

“It''s been a year of sisters, most famously with Catherine and Pippa Middleton,” the Daily Mail quoted Mark Holgate, Vogue Fashion News Director and Editor of the best dressed issue, as saying.

The four Courtin-Clarins sisters came in second, followed by Dakota and Elle Fanning, the Duchess of Cambridge and Pippa Middleton and Ruby and Lily Aldridge.

The Olsen sisters were famous US TV child stars and now have their own high-end designer labels The Row and Elizabeth and James.

“They get it right a lot of the time and then sometimes they don''t get it right. That''s actually great because it shows that it''s their hands reaching into their wardrobes,” Holage said.

“Look at what they''ve done with (their fashion labels) The Row and Elizabeth and James,” he said.

“They are legitimate fashion forces,” he added.

Less is more for Kate Winslet

2011-11-13T08:19:00.000-08:00

Oscar winning actress Kate Winslet, a mother of two, says her beauty rule is to go simple and minimal.

"I like to do my own make-up. I believe in less is more," dailymail.co.uk quoted Winslet as saying.

"Recently, I wore a simple, black Victoria Beckham column dress with long sleeves and small, gold belt detailing on the front. I knew that a curly hairdo would have completely gone against the dress, so we went for a high sculpted ponytail with a little bit of height in the front. It pulled the whole look together," she added.

The 36-year-old looked stunning in a recent photoshoot.

"Glamour to me is about remaining graceful and understated. For example, with very bold lip colours, you can't overdo the rest of your face. With a bright-red party lipstick, just go with lots of mascara and keep everything else clean," she said.

Taylor Swift named 'Entertainer of the Year'

2011-11-12T08:47:00.000-08:00

Taylor Swift has become only the second woman to receive Entertainer of the Year at the County Music Awards for the second time on Wednesday night.

The 21-year-old singer followed in the footsteps of Barbara Mandrell - in recognition of her worldwide success and thanked fans for their support when she picked up the accolade.

"This is thanks to all the fans who filled the stadiums and arenas all over the world this year," Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

"I am so happy we had so many to play for this year. You have made my year."

"To win Entertainer of the Year twice was like the coolest thing ever happening to me, happening twice," she added.

Country Music Awards 2011 full list of winners:
Entertainer of the Year:
Taylor Swift
Song of the Year:
'If I Die Young' - Kimberly Perry
Single of the Year:
'If I Die Young' - The Band Perry
Album of the Year:
'My Kinda Party' - Jason Aldean
Male Vocalist of the Year:
Blake Shelton
Female Vocalist of the Year:
Miranda Lambert
Vocal Duo of the Year:
Sugarland
Vocal Group of the Year:
Lady Antebellum
Musician of the Year:
Mac McAnally
New Artist of the Year:
The Band Perry
Musical Event of the Year:
'Don't You Wanna Stay' - Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson
Music Video of the Year:
'You and Tequila' - Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter

Shakira honoured by father

2011-11-12T08:41:00.000-08:00

Singer Shakira broke down in tears as her father William Mebarak serenaded her during a star-studded dinner in Las Vegas.

The 34-year-old was named the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year at the special tribute Wednesday.

Shakira wiped away tears as Mebarak sang the classic song Mi Nina Bonita (My Pretty Girl), while pictures of the father and daughter appeared on a big screen behind him, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"Thank you, daddy, for that song," the 34-year-old later told him.

Also present at the occasion were Black Eyed Peas rapper Taboo and Mexican rocker Alejandra.

Dannii Minogue gets honorary doctorate

2011-11-12T08:38:00.000-08:00

Australian singer Dannii Minogue has been conferred with an honorary doctorate in recognition of her services to the entertainment industry.

"I'm honoured to receive this award, it came as a complete shock," femalefirst.co.uk quoted Minogue as saying.

Minogue wore a traditional cap and gown while accepting an honorary Doctor of Media award from Southampton Solent University, England.

"Her international career stands as evidence of the personal success that can be achieved with talent, persistence and hard work. Dannii Minogue has made a major contribution to the entertainment industry and is an outstanding role model," said a spokesperson of the university.

Salma Hayek hates men 'talking' only to her breasts!

2011-11-12T08:35:00.000-08:00

Salma Hayek has revealed that she detests men looking at her breasts all the time.

Hayek, who is one of Hollywood’s most glamorous actresses, said that men talk to her most famous assets, even if she is fully clothed.

“Sometimes I talk to guys and even though I’m fully covered up they talk to my chest.”

“They don’t know they’re doing it and I don’t like to tell them,” said the 45-year-old.

Porn star Sasha Grey refuses to withdraw from kids' school reading program

2011-11-12T08:19:00.000-08:00

Former adult film star Sasha Grey has claimed that she is not going withdraw from an elementary school reading program despite outcry from angry parents, a new report revealed.

According to TMZ.com, news broke that on Friday that a Los Angeles area elementary school was facing some major criticism from parents, after the district invited Grey to read to a group of first graders as part of the Read Across America program.

“I committed to this program with the understanding that people would have their own opinions about what I have done, who I am and what I represent,” Fox News quoted the actress as saying.

“I am an actor. I am an artist. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a partner.

“I have a past that some people may not agree with, but it does not define who I am.

“I believe in the future of our children, and I will remain an active supporter and participant in education-focused initiatives,” she added.

Wax statue biggest honour: Kareena

2011-11-12T08:16:00.000-08:00

Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor, who has been immortalised in wax at Madame Tussaud's, says it is an honour to be in the league of Indian luminaries like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Sachin Tendulkar.

"I think being waxed at Madame Tussaud's is one of the biggest honours I have ever received. In my whole career, I think to be given this particular honour is very rare," said Kareena.

The 31-year-old, who made her debut with "Refugee" in 2000, gives credit to her fans.

"It is obviously because of you guys and all my fans who have made it possible and made my dream come true," she said.

Kareena's wax statue, which cost 150,000 pounds, was unveiled at the musuem in Blackpool Oct 27, a day after the release of her latest film "RA.One".

"I never really thought that I would be waxed or that my statue would stand besides that of famous personalities in museum. Whether it is Mr. Bachchan, or Shah Rukh or Sachin Tendulkar.... really never thought I would be standing next to them. But thank you guys for making my dream possible," she said.

Currently, the actress has her kitty full with projects like "Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu", "Agent Vinod", Reema Kagti's untitled project and Madhur Bhandarkar's "Heroine".

Hema Malini, Jaya Prada to be honoured

2011-11-12T08:14:00.000-08:00

Yesteryears actresses Hema Malini and Jaya Prada will be honoured with Aadhi Aabadi Women Achievers awards for their contribution to Indian cinema.

The award aims at recognise women who have achieved success and emerged as role models.

"It’s an achievement in itself to be able to honour legends like Hemaji and Jayaji”, said Dinesh Kumar of Dinesh Telefilms, organiser of the awards.

Apart from Hema and Jaya, TV actress Juhi Aslam, popularly known for her role as Bharti, a dwarf girl, in Imagine TV's "Baba Aiso Var Dhoondo", beauty expert Vandana Luthra and producer-actress Deepti Bhatnagar will be honoured.

Actress Zohra Sehgal, 99, will be honoured with the lifetime achievement award.Chief Minister Sheila Dixit and Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar would present the awards.

The guest list includes Raj Babbar, Navin Jindal, Raju Kher, Suniti Yadav and Pradeep Jain, Union Minister of State for Rural Development.The awards function will be held Nov 18 at Kamani Auditorium.

'Rockstar' earns Rs.11 crore plus on opening day

2011-11-12T08:08:00.000-08:00

Ranbir Kapoor starrer “Rockstar” has got off to a flying start with the film managing to earn Rs.11 crore plus on the opening day itself.

Directed by director Imtiaz Ali, known for making films like "Jab We Met" and "Love Aaj Kal", the story revolves around a Jat boy who aspires to become a famous rockstar like Jim Morrison.

The interesting pairing of Ranbir and Nargis Fakri topped with melodious music by A.R. Rahman has managed to draw in the crowds.

According to a press release, the film has managed to earn Rs. 11.25 crore plus on the opening day Friday, across all cinemas in India.

Even though the film has received a mixed response at the box-office, Ranbir's performance has been appreciated by everyone - audience and the critics.

Co-produced by Eros International and Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision, the film was made on a budget of more than Rs.60 crore and has been extensively shot in Delhi in locations like St. Stephen's College, Connaught Place and Nizamuddin, among others.

Choreographer Subal Sarkar dead

2011-11-12T08:05:00.000-08:00

Mumbai, Nov 12 : Renowned dancer and choreographer of Marathi film industry Subal Sarkar died here Saturday following a prolonged illness, a family friend said. He was 76.Sarkar breathed his last at his Dadar residence in the morning. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

Sarkar, hailing from West Bengal, started his career as a choreographer with the Marathi movie "Soyarik" in 1975.Since then, he never looked back and choreographed for nearly 100 films in the last 37 years.

Sarkar was noted for his earthy and robust dance styles, including the state’s folk dance, "Laavni", which he implemented on top Marathi stars including Dada Kondke and Ashok Saraf among many others.

Among his notable movies in Marathi are: "Maherchi Sari", "Ram Ram, Gangaram", "Pandu Havaldar", and Hindi movies like "Andheri Raat Me, Diya Tere Haath Me", "Tere Mere Beech Me", "Aage Ki Soch", "Khol De Meri Zubaan", and a few Gujarati movies.

Expressing deep grief over Sarkar’s death, state PWD and Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said that Marathi film industry and the state has lost “a highly respected choreographer who experimented with different dance styles, but never repeated himself".

Beyonce is highest paid performer per minute

2011-11-12T07:51:00.000-08:00

Beyonce Knowles has been named the highest earning entertainer in the world who charges per minute for appearing on the stage.

The "Love on Top" singer topped a poll by social media website saucytime.com by earning 1.25 million pounds for a five-song performance at a private New Year's Eve 2010 party, equating to 71,040 pounds for each minute she was on the stage, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

In second place was Mariah Carey, who earned 630,000 per minute for a four-song set at a similar party held the previous year on the same Caribbean island.

Third highest earner per minute was Kylie Minogue, who commanded 33,000 pounds every sixty seconds or two million for her whole hour set. She had sung at the launch party of the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai, November 2008.

Next was Jennifer Lopez, who received the equivalent of 25,000 pounds a minute from Russian tycoon Andrei Meinichenko to appear at his wife's birthday party in 2007.

Rihanna teases new album, climbs iTunes chart

2011-11-12T07:47:00.000-08:00

LOS ANGELES: Rihanna on Thursday released track teasers online from her upcoming album "Talk That Talk," pushing the album up to no. 12 on the iTunes chart ahead of its November 21 release.

The snippets from all 11 songs on the album comes after the singer posted a picture on her official Facebook page last week, revealing the track listing. (Reuters)

Veena offered Rs45m for appearance, marriage on Indian TV

2011-11-11T02:23:00.000-08:00

Celebrity Veena Malik has been offered Indian Rs15 million — over and above a Rs30 million contract — to get married on-screen to the winner of the Indian reality TV show “Swayamvar,” the Times of India (TOI) reported on Thursday.

The amount is in addition to an initial offer of Rs30 million for Malik to feature on the show.
TOI reported that, “the television channel has drawn up two contracts for Veena. If she walks off without an actual marriage with one of the prospective grooms from the show, she will get only Rs3 crore.”

The TOI report stated that “Malik said she was not allowed to speak about the Rs 4.5 crore contract.”
During Malik’s last visit to India back in January, she informed the Indian media that she wants to be “India ki bahu”. While she was busy rehearsing for the grand finale of reality show “Bigg Boss” in January, the actor managed to reveal her fascination with Indian men.

The actor, who made headlines for her ‘close association’ with Ashmit Patel in a reality show, said, “Mujhe ab rishta chahiye. I feel Indian men are wow!”

Kim Kardashian may have to pay $2mn to keep engagement ring

2011-11-11T02:20:00.000-08:00

Kim Kardashian may have to hand over millions of dollars to her soon-to-be ex-husband, Kris Humphries, to be able to retain her 20.5-carat diamond ring after their divorce.

According to sources close to the couple, the 31-year-old TV celebrity loved the flashy ring so much that she included a clause in her pre-nuptial agreement, which allows her to buy the ring from the NBA star for the original price in case of a divorce, TMZ reported.

As far as the price of the massive engagement ring goes, the socialite never disclosed how much the basketball player plunked down, but according to multiple reports, it is worth an estimated 2 million US dollars (1.927 million dollars).

Merely after 72 days of her marriage to the 26-year-old professional basketball player, Kardashian announced last week that she was divorcing Humphries on the grounds of “irreconcilable differences.”

'Miracle' serum boosts cleavage in just 4 weeks!

2011-11-11T02:17:00.000-08:00

A new body serum that claims to boost women's cleavage by as much as three-quarters of a cup size in just four weeks has become a hit in the UK market.

The 'boob job in a tube' works by stimulating the formation and storage of naturally occurring fat cells in the breasts, thus boosting the size, the Daily Mail reported.

The Bust Fix serum developed by the UK company, NIP + FAB, is flying off the shelves at a rate of 1,000 tubes a minute at its peak and, in the last fortnight alone, sold 100,000 in Boots stores nationwide and online.

The bust serum uses an ingredient called mangosteen, taken from the skin of the fruit, to prompt the production fatty acids in the breast tissue.

It also 'plumps up' and enlarges the fat cells, which already exist to more than 100 times their size.

The serum, which cost 16.29 pounds, differs from rival collagen-boosting creams that tend to target the skin around the bust - rather than the fat stores under the skin - to lift and plump up the breasts.n independent trials on 6,000 women, two-thirds of women saw an increase of half a cup size after 12 weeks, while almost a quarter went up by three-quarters of a cup size.

Tests by dermatological scientists found the Bust Fix increased the production of fatty acids, a process known as lipogenesis, by 57 per cent in five hours.

The cream also uses plant ingredients such as green algae and quince-hydrogel to firm and lift the breasts.

NIP + FAB said the serum "provides essential nutrients to the bust" to improve the skin's elasticity and thus help to smooth and lift the breasts.

During trials, 85 per cent of women agreed that it "visibly plumped, smoothed and firmed the skin" around the bust and neckline.

The Adventures of Tintin (Movie Review)

2011-11-11T02:13:00.000-08:00

The sheer thrill of seeing one's favourite childhood comic being transposed on to a different medium (film) combined with technology and the best of hands from Hollywood surely sets one's expectations soaring. Steven Spielberg's "The Adventures of Tintin" features superb animation and the most refined use of motion capture technology thus far.

This film attempts to bond three different Tintin stories -- most notably "The Secret of the Unicorn" (which is the film's subtitle) as well as "The Crab with the Golden Claws" and "Red Rackham's Treasure".

What 'The Adventures of Tintin' boils down to is essentially an Indiana Jonesesque movie, and is very much in that vein; a rollicking tour around the globe, hunting for mysterious treasures with various complex outcomes and action set pieces.

Set in the 1930s, Tintin's (Jamie Bell) adventure starts at a market place in Brussels. A few seconds after he purchases a miniature sailing ship he gets exorbitant offers to sell it off. He learns that the miniature is a replica of a 17th century sailing ship called the Unicorn.

Apparently the Unicorn was navigated by Captain Haddock's (Andy Serkis) ancestor and was carrying huge treasures in its vaults when it was raided and sunk by the pirates. This ancestor was the only person who knew the exact location of the sunken treasures. So he left behind a clue on a parchment in the three identical miniatures of the Unicorn.

Mild humour is infused in this film by the bumbling police officers Thompson and Thomson (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost) and Tintin's faithful canine Snowy.

The treasure hunt takes Tintin along with Captain Haddock through exciting and visually delightful chases. Easily the most stunning and ambitious of these is a chase through the streets of a Moroccan port.

They are chasing a mysterious man by the name of Sakharine (Daniel Craig) who is also trailing the Unicorn treasure. The sequence is about five minutes long and is conducted in one single, unbroken shot which, given the ludicrous ambition, complexity and pacing of the action, would have been simply impossible if the film had been live action.

It also takes place in a photo-realistic environment, which gives the sequence a physicality that should be at odds with the exaggerated characters, but actually heightens the tension and excitement of the whole scene.

Robert Zemeckis' design and creation of this film knocks anything he has attempted before. Zemeckis' earlier films, "Polar Express", "Beowulf" and "A Christmas Carol" failed to create that photo realistic version of humanity, because trying to motion capture and animate real people in that photo realistic way just makes humans look plastic and dead behind the eyes. Here there is a valid reason for this use. It could be done in no other way.

The animation is attempting photo realism but still has that cartoonish quality. They have the Herge tropes, the funny noses and weird hairstyles. Captain Haddock still looks like Captain Haddock from the comics but it's Haddock as if he were a real life being.

That technique, however, is incredibly effective, and never distracting.

Unfortunately the sequences aren't the most inventive. Beyond its gorgeous visuals the film resembles a conflation of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" with John Williams's music always on the point of bursting into the Indiana Jones triumphal march, the film has very little to offer and it is a great shame.

Discussing Tintin's action sequences makes it sound like it's little more than a series of set pieces strung together around a wafer-thin plot.

The script is, quite frankly, all over the place, chock full of ellipsis which can sometimes be very helpful to a film but here it is just lazy and sloppy. The talented trio, Joe Cornish, Steven Moffat (of Doctor Who fame) and Edgar Wright haven't done a very good job of covering the exposition.

The plot depends heavily on too-perfect coincidences. It sets out to deliver thrills, spills and chills with as little extraneous stuff as possible, and at that it succeeds beautifully. Also, the dialogue delivery, I am sure would be an issue for the Indian audience.

This grand scale adventure story directed by Spielberg is a clean family film pitched to a much younger audience, probably those below eight years, for the slapstick comedy and good natured fun that does not resort to crass, lowest common- denominator pandering.

There are some very good parts in the film, but as a whole this film is disappointingly unremarkable.

Neha Dhupia to party with World-golf champion in Durban

2011-11-11T02:07:00.000-08:00

World- golf champion Gary Player, regarded as arguably the biggest star of the game with 9 championship victories under his belt, is all set to celebrate his birthday in style over the coming weekend in Durban. Handpicked guests from all over the world have been invited for the 4-day binge this weekend in Durban

And the only invitee from Bollywood and apparently from India, on the guest list is Neha Dhupia.

The sultry actress was pleasantly surprised to receive the invitation and has begun preparing for the event.

Says Neha, “I’m very excited. Though I am not much of a golf player, my father is. And who doesn’t know Gary Player? The birthday celebrations would go on over a 3-day weekend. There’s a golf tournament, a gala dinner and a charity event. I am bracing myself for a weekend of hard partying.

Neha says there is “a little bit of a jinx” on her visits to South Africa. “Every time I am scheduled for a visit to South Africa something or the other goes wrong at the last minute. So I’ve never really been to South Africa or Durban. This time I hope nothing goes wrong. ”

Neha will be the only representative from the Indian entertainment business rubbing shoulders with sports superstars and film personalities from across the world.

Hospital labours for Ash

2011-11-11T02:03:00.000-08:00

12-hour security shifts; mobile ban to be imposed to ensure complete privacy for her delivery

To ensure complete privacy to Bachchan bahu for her delivery, authorities at Seven Hills order security staff to work 12-hr shifts; mobile ban to be imposed

The entire country is waiting with bated breath for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's baby, and the staff at Seven Hills Hospital, where the Bachchan bahu is supposed to give birth is not far behind.

But for those who thought the doctors at the Marol hospital were on edge, they are wrong. In fact, it is the security and cleaning personnel, who are burning the midnight oil to ensure that the medical facility is ready and safe for her delivery.

The actress is ready to give birth anytime and while bets are on about the exact date of her delivery, sources say that the actress will have a planned delivery on November 11. In an attempt to maintain security till the Bachchan family leaves, the administration has ordered the security staff to work a 12-hour shift instead of the usual six-hour shift.

Also, a suite on the fifth floor of the hospital has been completely refurbished for the Bachchan bahu.

According to sources, the suite is one of the most expensive suites on the level, which houses a spa too.

And if all this was not enough to maintain privacy, sources told MiD DAY that once Aishwarya is admitted to the hospital, staff members will not be allowed to carry mobiles into her room. "The authorities are afraid that a staffer will click a picture of the family that would hurt their reputation. Hence, they have imposed a ban on phones," said a source.

Sources further explained that the reason why Aishwarya chose the Marol facility was because her sister-in-law Srima, reportedly gave birth to her son at the same facility. "The hospital is not crowded allowing the star family to maintain a certain level of privacy," said a hospital doctor.

Credit: Mid-Day.com

Ameesha Patel bonds with Saif. Bebo listening?

2011-11-11T02:01:00.000-08:00

Guess who has been bonding big time during the shoot of Race 2 in Filmcity? Ameesha Patel and Saif Ali Khan.

Nah, once-upon-a-time jaani dushman Kareena Kapoor need not worry.

Her Nawab and Ameesha were reminiscing their experience from Humraaz, which they did together with Akshaye Khanna some years ago.

If you're asking why they didn't talk about Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, the answer is obvious: it tanked big time.

And in B-Town, there's no time or inclination to mull over flops. Anyway, the two were soon joined by Anil Kapoor who went ga ga over Ameesha's professionalism. Ho hum...

Credit: Mid-Day.com

11.11.11 the hot favorite amid bookies for baby B!!

2011-11-11T01:59:00.000-08:00

MUMBAI: 11.11.11 seems to be bookies’ favorite bet on when Baby B would be born. Till recently, focus was on whether Ash will have a baby girl or a boy. But now, everyone’s focus has shifted to the date of the birth of the baby.

If rumors are to be gone by, then Rs150 crore is being bet on the date of the baby’s birth.

“There are a lot of bets being placed on dates between November 9 and 14, confirms a Mumbai-based bookie. The money riding on it is at least 150crores which may go up. November 11 is the hot favourite amongst bookies. The second most speculated date is November 14, which is Children’s Day.”

“If the kid is born on 11.11.11, then he/she will be governed by the moon and his birth number would be 2, says numerologist Sanjay Jumani.

Many superstars in Bollywood have their birth number as 2 including Amitabh Bachchan (Oct 11), Shahrukh Khan (Nov 2), Ajay Devgn (April 2), Sanjay Dutt (July 29), Dilip Kumar (Dec 11), Rajesh Khanna (Dec 29) and many more.

Also, with the moon being the planet with the maximum influence on the day, the kid’s creative abilities would be much sharper. Many musicians, actors and painters are ruled by the moon. On the flipside, the moon also has side effects, which can make the person very sensitive and moody.”

Jackson doctor admits 'stupid' mistakes before death

2011-11-11T01:55:00.000-08:00

LONDON: Conrad Murray, the doctor convicted of Michael Jackson's manslaughter, admitted in comments broadcast Thursday that he made mistakes on the day of the pop icon's death but denied criminal culpability.

Murray recalled how he went into the room next to Jackson's bedroom to make telephone calls while the star lay dying - and justified not telling police about having given him propofol, as "I did not think it was important."

The doctor's previously unheard comments were made to British journalist Steve Hewlett and aired on Channel 4 immediately before the showing of a controversial documentary charting the singer's demise.

Murray, 58, claimed Jackson had requested "milk" - his slang term for propofol - at 10:40 am on June 25, 2009, to help him sleep after a restless night.

In accounting for the one hour and 40 minutes between administering the drug and emergency services being called, Murray said he had sat with Jackson, checking his vital signs until he believed the effects had worn off, before moving to the adjacent room at 11:20 am.

Murray did not inform police that Jackson had taken the drug because "they never asked me" and "I did not think it was important."

The doctor also accepted he had made a mistake in not keeping medical notes on Jackson, but argued this failure "was not responsible for his death".

The managers of Jackson's estate on Wednesday condemned as "reprehensible" the documentary "The Man Who Killed Michael Jackson", shown in Britain immediately after the interview was broadcast.

Jackson's executors demanded US broadcaster MSNBC withdraw plans to screen the program - along with an interview in which Murray quotes Jackson's last words in 2009 as "begging" for propofol. (AFP)

Eddie Murphy out, Brian Grazer in at Oscars

2011-11-11T01:54:00.000-08:00

LOS ANGELES: In a day of drama befitting Hollywood, Oscar organizers on Wednesday said comedian Eddie Murphy was bowing out as host of the world's top film honors and producer Brian Grazer was stepping in to run the show.

The dual announcements by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences follows Tuesday's departure of producer Brett Ratner who earned the wrath of academy members after using a gay slur at a weekend screening of his new movie, "Tower Heist," which co-starred Murphy.

Ratner had lured the "Beverly Hills Cop" funnyman into the coveted job as Oscar host and after he quit, Murphy tendered his resignation on Wednesday. It appeared to be the first time a host quit the show that annually is among the most-watched programs on U.S. TV and is seen by tens of millions worldwide.

Murphy's departure paved the way for the academy to bring on "A Beautiful Mind" producer Grazer to guide the show from concept to curtain this coming February. It will be up to Grazer to pick a new host for the awards that honor the top films, performances and other movie work of 2011.

"Brian Grazer is a renowned filmmaker who over the past 25 years has produced a diverse and extraordinary body of work," academy president Tom Sherak, said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, on announcing Murphy's departure, Sherak had said, "I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well."

On Tuesday Ratner resigned from the high-profile job in the face of an industry firestorm over his answer to a question at a "Tower Heist" screening about using rehearsals ahead of the film shoot. Ratner replied, "rehearsing is for fags."

Gay rights groups and some members of the academy took issue with his use of the word that is largely viewed as a slur, and Ratner later apologized publicly. But adding fuel to the fire was an interview he gave on the Howard Stern radio show about his sex life. The damage was done.

In his own statement, Murphy seemed almost apologetic for bowing out of the show.

"First and foremost, I want to say that I completely understand and support each party's decision with regard to a change of producers for this year's Academy Awards ceremony," he said.

"I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I'm sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job."

Fortunately for Oscar organizers, the show does not take place until the final Sunday of February, 2012, giving the group plenty of time to put on a show. (Reuters)

Brangelina visit Japan to promote 'Moneyball'

2011-11-11T01:49:00.000-08:00

TOKYO: Actor Brad Pitt praised the "tenacity" of Japan in its post-quake recovery efforts Thursday, as the star brought his partner Angelina Jolie and family to a nation still confronting a nuclear crisis.

"You are bringing everything forward to rebuilding and reclaiming the lives for yourselves and for others. It's valued and inspiring to us," Pitt told a news conference ahead of the Japan release of his new movie "Moneyball."

"Your tenacity and perseverance and survival has a great effect on us, to the world community, and I applaud you all for that," he said.

Pitt's visit to Japan, together with Jolie and their six children comes nearly eight months after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami that left 20,000 dead or missing, while sparking the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl 25 years ago.

The global community is "greatly and painfully aware of the cataclysmic catastrophe," Pitt said. "Our hearts and thoughts are still with you who have been touched by this event."

In the film directed by Bennett Miller, Pitt plays the Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane who turns to a statistician with a radical new system to evaluate players and put together a competitive team at a quarter of the cost.

Baseball is hugely popular in Japan both as a professional sport and among children, and the nation has exported stars to US Major League Baseball such as Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners and Hideki Matsui of the Oakland A's.

At the film's preview Wednesday, Pitt gave autographed balls to 10 teenage baseball players from the quake-hit northeast. (AFP)

Lady Gaga steals the show at MTV Awards

2011-11-08T13:49:00.000-08:00

BELFAST: Lady Gaga stole the show at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Belfast on Sunday, scooping four prizes and going one better than 2010 when she also led the field with three.

The flamboyant 25-year-old New Yorker won best female artist, best song and video for her hit single Born This Way as well Way as well related stories as the biggest fans award.

"I knew that this song was very special when I wrote it and I just didn't know when I first started out ... how special you would all be to me," a tearful Gaga told a packed, boisterous Odyssey Arena as she accepted the best song award.

"This is the single most important song that I've ever written and the single most important album. I love you little monsters to the end!" she added, using the term she employs to describe her fans.

Canadian teen sensation Justin Bieber was among the other multiple winners, picking up best pop act and top male singer.

Much of the attention in the run-up to the awards has been on the 17-year-old, who has denied allegations made by a US woman that he fathered her child when he was 16.

Bieber's girlfriend Selena Gomez, an actress and singer, hosted the MTV event, and the pair were photographed out the previous night in the city in a public show of togetherness.

Los Angeles rockers Thirty Seconds to Mars won two awards -- best alternative act and best world stage - as did Bruno Mars, honoured as the best new act and "push" artist who was promoted by MTV as an up-and-coming talent.

Katy Perry was voted best live act by more than 150 million MTV voters who decided most of the prizes. Eminem won best hip-hop artist, repeating his 2010 success, and Linkin Park scooped best rock.

Birth of MTV Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen accepted the previously announced Global Icon prize. "We were there at the birth of MTV," May said.

"How wonderful for us to be here 40 years later ... and here in Belfast which is finally showing its beauty and setting an example to the world by finding, out of grief and tragedy, the beginnings of truth and peace."

British rockers Coldplay kicked off one of the biggest nights of pop music outside the United States with Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall from their new album Mylo Xyloto.

Host Gomez underwent multiple costume changes -- at least eight -- while lasers and flames lit up the darkened arena.
LMFAO performed Party Rock Anthem, a high octane disco hit that brought over 20 dancers to the stage where they strutted under tinsel "snow" that fell from the roof.

Red Hot Chili Pepper and Northern Irish favourites Snow Patrol played at other venues around Belfast, while Bieber earned the loudest screams when he sung his new track Under the Mistletoe followed by Never Say Never.

Lady Gaga sang Marry the Night from the top of a giant moon structure, and presenter and actress Hayden Panettiere was joined on stage by a naked man in a scripted appearance.

There was also a video tribute to late singer Amy Winehouse, who died in July aged 27.

The event closed with a medley of Queen hits including The Show Must Go On and We Will Rock You.

Belfast had been overtaken by Biebermania ahead of the show with hundreds of girls camped outside his hotel to catch the briefest glimpse of their idol.

"He's beautiful, he's like an angel," said Aya Lawlor, a 14-year-old Belfast girl who stood for hours on a cold Saturday night just to see Bieber. "He's proven that anyone can do it."

Thousands watched the main concert and other performances in the open and in smaller venues around Belfast, and millions tuned in around the world to see it via live stream on the web.

The awards are generally dominated by US acts even though they are held in a different European city each year.

Last year Gaga picked up prizes for best female artist, best pop act and best song for Bad Romance. This year she led the way with six nominations.

Katrina can't escape skin show

2011-11-07T08:30:00.000-08:00

She may have evaded the bikini but has to flaunt tank top and shorts for a sequence in the film

The bikini boogey has not really been exorcised out of Katrina Kaif's presence in Dhoom 3. Though she has convinced producer Aditya Chopra that the bikini is not essential for the scene where she was supposed to flaunt one, the issue is far from resolved.

Apparently the core team of Dhoom 3 continued to persuade the actress to take forward the tradition of bikini-clad leading ladies in the flick.

Says a source, "Though Katrina signed on the dotted line for Dhoom 3 only on condition that the bikini sequence be removed, they reluctantly removed the bikini. But the question of what she wears in lieu of the skimpy apparel has only now been resolved."

For the sequence, Katrina would now be wearing shorts and a suitable top.

Says the source, "Aditya Chopra and director Vijay Krishna Acharya were not willing to do away with the sequence where Katrina was to be seen in beach wear.

The sequence was to be shot on an exotic beach. After she said no to wearing a two-piece, there was talk of doing away with that sequence altogether. But it is felt by the entire team that the beach location is lucky for the series.

Since Katrina is required for that sequence, her clothes have been suitable modified to go by her aesthetic comfort and the requirement of the sequence." Interestingly, her role requires her to be more lean and athletic than the present.

Says a source from Istanbul where she is shooting for Ek Tha Tiger, "Katrina has a round-the-clock trainer with her in Istanbul who is currently training her in the rudiments of the physical-type required. She gets into advanced training on her return."

Apparently Katrina's character in Dhoom 3 would be "a mixture of Catwoman and Lara Croft, with a bit of Hema Malini from Seeta Aur Geeta thrown in." Katrina remained unavailable for comment.

Credit: Mid-Day.com

Miley Naa Miley Hum (Movie Review)

2011-11-07T08:27:00.000-08:00

There are some unexprected surprises in this sleeper rom-com, the newcomer Chirag Paswan being one of them.

In a tailormade role that projects him as an ideal son, considerate boss, supportive friend and sensitive lover Chirag doles out the schmaltz and the sweetness without tripping over his own goodness.

This is a benign film, innocuous in its intentions and harmless if somewhat pointless too. There are absolutely no villains in the script. In fact some of the people populating the plot seem to belong to another planet in their goodness.

Dalip Tahil in a turban stops his spunky daughter (Neeru Bajwa)’s engagement when he gets to know his best friend Kabir Bedi nursed a secret desire to see his hon-haar son (Chirag) married to the almost-engaged girl.

The hero is an angel in designer-disguise. He drives the best cars, wears the best sunglasses, romances a struggling model (Ranaut, struggling to shrug off her emotionally traumatized image) and yet sits with the staffers of his imperious father’s sprawling vineyard for a meal of roti and achaar.

The core idea of the film is to propagate a kind of picture-postcard bonhomie into the plot. The worst thing that happens in the hero’s life is that his parents are separated.

But that’s hardly a deterrent for his life being a seriously satirical celeberation of slow-motion joys that include romancing three ladies, two chosen by his respective parents and one chosen off a hoarding by Chirag himself.

Kangna as the struggling model who keeps bumbling into hard surfaces (including hero) has an interesting believable part. She starts off being a casualty of her own ambitions and then gradually gets closer to her real emotions.

Nice touch, that one. The tennis backdrop, though never done with the professionalism that hockey achieved in Chak De (and never mind Sagarika Ghosh the actress who played one of the hockey players in Chak De, surfacing in Miley Na Miley Hum as Chirag’s potential Biwi).

It’s all too pretty, too predictable and too soft and gentle to make a lasting impact.

But the heart is the right place. And you can’t help smiling at the world that the film encompasses with such tender hands that don’t want to brush against any evil.

Debutant Chirag Paswan is likeable when he isn’t caught out ‘acting’. He comes with the added burden of having to prove he isn’t just the brat with the golden spoon.

He conducts himself with reasonable aplomb in a film that’s just a wee bit different from the boy-meets-girl routine.

Kim Sharma quits what she calls her terrible career

2011-11-07T08:24:00.000-08:00

Kim Sharma’s career never took off. And now she has put an official end to her Bollywood career. Coincidentally both she and Shamita Shetty started their careers in Aditya Chopra’s Mohabbatein.

The film clicked. But the careers of all the newcomers in the film—Kim, Shamita, Preeti Jhangiani, Uday Chopra, Jimmy Shergill and Jugal Hansraj—failed to take off.

Now bizarrely enough, Shamita and Kim have quit films one after another. Kim who recently married Kenya-based businessman Ali Punjani is being seen for the last time in Loot released this week. In the film she is paired with singer Mika. Not a major or noticeable role.

Thereafter she says it’s goodbye to Bollywood.

Says Kim, “I am very happily married. Luckily and happily, Loot is the last of my terrible film career. ”

Kim now divides her time in three citires, Kenya, Dubai and Mumbai and sees no reason to cling to a non-existent Bollywood career. “So it’s farewell to Bollywood. My message to Bollywood, see you later, Beautiful! ”

Miss Venezuela wins Miss World crown

2011-11-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

LONDON: Miss Venezuela, Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colimenares, was crowned the 2011 winner of the Miss World beauty pageant at a glittering final ceremony in London on Sunday.

Miss Philippines, Gwendoline Gaelle Sandrine Ruais, was named the runner-up, while Miss Puerto Rico, Amanda Victoria Vilanova Perez, came third.

Sarcos Colimenares, 22, who works for a broadcasting company and has a degree in human resources, gasped and threw her hands to her face as she was announced the winner.

Some 113 beauty queens from Albania to Zimbabwe took their place on the stage, with the show being broadcast live to an estimated audience of more than one billion viewers in 150 countries. (AFP)

Secrecy surrounds new James Bond movie 'Skyfall'

2011-11-07T08:11:00.000-08:00

LONDON: Daniel Craig will be back dodging bullets and vanquishing villains from China to Turkey in the 23rd installment of the James Bond film franchise, but the stars and director of "Skyfall" are keeping the who, what and how under wraps for now.

As previously announced, Oscar-winning director Sam Mendesdirects his first Bond adventure, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012 when Skyfall is released.

One of the few details Mendes revealed to more than 100 reporters from around the world at the film's London press launch were his cast and the locations of the blockbuster, which starts production on Monday.

Bond regulars Craig and Judi Dench, as his stern spymaster M, return to their roles, Spanish actor Javier Bardem plays the villain and French actress Berenice Marlohe and Britain's Naomie Harris are Bond girls.

All five were at the press briefing, where they were joined by Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson.

In addition, Mendes said the latest installment in one of cinema's longest and most successful film franchises will feature Ben Whishaw "who will be playing a part I can't tell you about in scenes I can tell you nothing about.

"And Albert Finney, who will also be playing a part I can tell you nothing about in scenes that I can't really tell you about and Ralph Fiennes, who, similarly, I can give you very little information about."

Asked whether he had not named all of the characters the leading actors would be playing because Bond fans might recognize them, the "American Beauty" director replied: "They might do. On the other hand they might not."

What producers have confirmed is that Skyfall will take Bond on another action-packed mission to London, Shanghai, Istanbul and Scotland.

A press release gave a brief plot outline, saying Bond's loyalty to M is tested "as her past comes back to haunt her.

"As MI6 (British intelligence) comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost."

NO "AUSTERITY" BOND

Mendes and his producers sought to reassure fans that tough economic conditions in the real world would not make the fictional exploits of the suave superspy any less spectacular.

"It, I think, has all the elements of a classic Bond movie, including, to quell any rumors, a lot of action," Mendes said.

Wilson added: "I think it's in the same (cost) range as the last film and we really haven't had to change anything in the script. We haven't had to sacrifice anything."

The 22nd Bond movie, "Quantum of Solace," cost an estimated $200 million to produce, more than the previous installment and Craig's Bond debut "Casino Royale," which cost a reported $150 million.

Any extra outlay did not translate into higher ticket sales, however, with Casino Royale earning $594 million at the global box office and Quantum of Solace $586 million, according to website www.boxofficemojo.com.

Sony Pictures, part of Sony Corp, will distribute Skyfall, which is set to hit British theaters on October 26, 2012 and U.S. cinemas on November 9 after a studio bankruptcy put production on hold for months and the last movie earned mixed reviews.

Next year is the 50th anniversary of the series, which began in 1962 with Sean Connery -- breathing life into the character created by former intelligence officer and novelist Ian Fleming -- on Her Majesty's secret service in "Dr. No."

Debt-laden Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc, known for its roaring lion logo and behind some of Hollywood's most fabled films including "The Wizard of Oz," filed for bankruptcy in November last year.

But two months later it confirmed Bond 23 would hit theatres in November, 2012, and in April MGM and Sony announced they would co-finance and distribute the next two Bond movies.

Craig's first appearance as Bond in 2006 was hailed as a refreshing change in direction toward a tougher, more serious 007, and reviews were overwhelmingly positive.

Quantum of Solace fared less well with the critics, although positive reviews still outweighed the negative and both films were commercially successful.

When Craig was asked if he would continue in one of cinema's most recognizable roles for a few more years, Broccoli interjected and said: "Yes, definitely." (Reuters)

Loot (Movie Review)

2011-11-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

There is a Don (oh, there are many of them peeping out of every nook and cranny of this abominable comedy) played by Prem Chopra who loves Meena Kumari and Pakeezah.

Sighing loudly he tells another Don played with lipsmacking relish by Mahesh Manjrekar, “They don’t make heroines like Meena Kumari any more. She was someone you wanted to marry. Nowadays the heroines are good for only one thing. ”

That is just about the most subtle dialogue you will get to hear in this in-your-face farce where three small-time wastrels, Govinda, Jaffrey and Mahaakshay, and a scowling goon Suniel Shetty take off to Pattaya. What follows is a fiesta of fatuous gags and dialogues including of course bad puns on ‘pattaya’ and ‘guard’…. Wouldn’t miss out on that.

Loot looks like an unfinished product from a group of actors and technicians who lost their way in transit. This one should have ideally remained in the cans. Just why Suneil Shetty invested into this piece of filmed garbage is anyone’s guess.

Maybe he thought it would be a fun caper, a sort of Oceans 11 with lots of lowbow jokes about ‘andar daal’ and ‘baahar khol’. Come on!

Crudity by its very nature requires a very high amount of discipline and dedication to be convincing and inoffensive on sceeen.

The crassness in Loot is simply boring. The characters are most frequently seen lolling around in hotel rooms, waiting for the dialogue writer to come up with some more oafish innuendos.

In the meanwhile there is a whole truckload of gangsters, goons, dons and hoodlums waiting to pounce on the plot at the drop of a hat. The world never seemed more unsafe.

Govinda’s habitual abilities to improvise do see some of the scenes to a kind of culmination. And Suniel Shetty remains true to his character Manjrekar along with his sidekick Razaak Khan share the film’s only genuinely funny sequence.

But most of the time, the actors seem as clueless about their next move as the scriprwiter. So they just decide to have fun with the pun.

Somewhere in the initial reels singer Mika and starlet Kim Sharma (long time no see) pop up as part of a street gang in Pattaya. They add considerably to the overall confusion of the proceedings.

Really, you’d need nerves of steel to sit through this mishmash of misdirected mirth and over-done cockiness . The actors try hard not took bored.

The performances in this deflated farce are better than the recent Rascals where the actors tried hard to be funny. Here no one makes an effort except the dialogue writer who seems to be falling off his chair in delight at his torrent of double entendres.

If only we knew what was so funny. Loot is a hoot. And a painful reminder of the collapse of the comic caper in Bollywood in a heap of inadequacy. The writing reaches a stalemate even before the actors warm up to their roles.

And then it’s downhill all the way.

Deepika to promote sports during Olympics

2011-11-05T08:32:00.000-07:00

Actress Deepika Padukone has been approached for a motivational campaign during the 2012 London Olympics to encourage the young generation to take up sports.

"My first love continues to be sports and I would love to do any campaign that encourages people to take up sports in our country," Deepika said in a statement.

Daughter of veteran badminton player Prakash Padukone, Deepika has been a state level badminton player herself. She, however, chose to take up acting as a career.

"Yes, she has been approached. In all meetings, the board has been saying that she is the only one they would like do it because she has a very strong bond with sports," said an official spokesperson from Sports Development Corporation, the board promoting Olympics.

After a successful stint as a model, Deepika ventured into movies with blockbuster "Om Shanti Om" and also featured in hits like "Bachna Ae Haseeno" and "Love Aaj Kal".

The actress has also been approached to become the face of badminton in India.

"When we are looking for a celebrity to promote sports, we need people to believe that if this person can achieve so much at such a young age, so can we. In the case of Deepika, she is a true young achiever. She has achieved so much at such a young age," said the statement.

Drew Barrymore most overpaid actor

2011-11-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

Drew Barrymore has been named the most overpaid actor in Hollywood by Forbes magazine.
Barrymore tops Forbes 2011 list of Hollywood's Most Overpaid Actors list with a return average of 40 percent for every dollar movie studios spend on her.

The 36-year-old's films have failed to rake in moolah at the box office in the past five years. "Everybody's Fine" earned only $16 million globally and "Lucky You" brought in only $8 million.

The second position went to Eddie Murphy. He returns $2.70 for every dollar spent on him. Will Farrell is at the third position with a return average of $3.50, reports aceshowbiz.com.

Reese Witherspoon and Denzel Washington wrapped up the top five with return averages of $3.55 and $4.25 repectively.

Aniston and Pitt may ‘reunite’ at Oscars

2011-11-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

Hollywood hotties and ex-spouses Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt are planning to make their first public appearance together since 2004 at the Oscars.

Pitt and Aniston, who divorced in 2005 after five years of marriage, have been asked to present one of the gongs at next February’s Oscars ceremony, after their friend, film maker and video director Brett Ratner, landed the job of producing the Academy Awards show.

“They’re both considering it,” the Daily Telegraph quoted a source as telling the UK’s Now magazine.

“Brett knows that getting them on the podium together will make the ceremony the most talked about one ever,” the source added.

‘Twilight’ stars leave imprint on Hollywood

2011-11-05T08:23:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES: "Twilight" actors Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, made their mark on Hollywood on Thursday, leaving imprints of their hands and feet outside Grauman's Chinese Theater.

The "Twilight" stars were greeted by hundreds of screaming fans as they added their hand and footprints to those left by Charlie Chaplin, Frank Sinatra and dozens of other movie icons in past years, in the cement outside the movie theater.

Shifanjali Rao dating an Australian cricketer?

2011-11-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

The latest gossip on the Bollywood grapevine is that model, actress and item girl Shifanjali Rao is dating an Australian cricketer. Of course Shifanjali Rao denied it and said she meets a lot of people and attends a lot of Page 3 parties, so if she was seen dancing with someone doesn’t mean that she is dating him.

However, a source tells us that Shifanjali is very much in a relationship with a well-known Australian cricketer who was earlier linked to another Indian model and actress.The couple have been seen together at various locations including a 5-star hotel in Mumbai, Delhi and even Bangalore.

Shifanjali when contacted denied all these rumors and said that she has been doing a lot of events and stage shows and other celebrities are part of the troupe.

However, our source tells us that the couple were seen hugging and smooching at the J W Mariott hotel at Juhu in suburban Mumbai recently.

They have been spotted in each other's company almost ten times in the last two months and it is difficult to believe that there is nothing going on between the two, says our source.

As the old saying goes, there can be no smoke without a fire, what say Shifanjali...

Vidya to perform live at 'Ooh la la'

2011-11-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

Her oomph and chutzpah in the "Ooh la la" song from "The Dirty Picture" is already a rage. Vidya Balan is now gearing up to mesmerise fans with a live performance with other artists at the music launch of the film in Mumbai Friday.

"Vidya, Emraan (Hashmi), Naseeruddin Shah, Tusshar Kapoor, Bappi Lahiri and Shreya Ghoshal will perform at the event live, " Girish Johar, head of acquisition and distribution, Balaji Motion Pictures, told.

Asked if Vidya will perform to "Ooh la la", Johar said: "Yes of course!!!"

The event is to be held at the Inorbit Mall in Malad, starting 6 p.m. It is free for everyone.

"That's the novelty value. We wanted to take the film to the public directly so that they can interact with the stars and enjoy the music, " he added.

The actors themselves are quite excited about the colourful music launch.

Tusshar tweeted: "Hello people, on Friday, 4th Nov, pls come to 'The Dirty Picture' audio launch. It's at 6 pm at Inorbit, Malad and free for the public. It should be a first-of-its-kind audio launch where you will witness live performances by the star cast and singers.

"The Dirty Picture", produced by Ekta Kapoor, chronicles the rise to fame, gradual fall and death of southern actress Silk Smitha. The film is releasing Dec 2.

Kim Kardashian divorce sparks rumours of money-making 'Union' ploy

2011-11-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

Unlike other celebrities whose split is dogged by rumours of infidelity and extra-marital affairs, Kim Kardashian’s announcement to file for divorce against her husband of 72 days, Kris Humphries, is being viewed as a cynical money making ploy.

The 31-year-old TV personality’s decision to file for a divorce is being analysed as a calculated move as it came just hours before her mother’s book ‘Kris Jenner and All Things Kardashian’ was to go on sale.

Amidst all the chaos, Kardashian promoted the family’s new clothes store on Twitter, exhibiting a miscalculation of tone that she might live to regret as even her fans have started to question the reality behind the family’s money-spinning soap opera.

“Our store #KardashianKhaos is opening tomorrow at 9am at @TheMirageLV We are so excited!! Kardashian Khaos has arrived!’ Kardashian Khaos indeed…” the Daily Mail quoted her as tweeting.

Whatever the truth is, there is no doubt that her marriage to the 26-year-old professional basketball player has been lucrative for the Kardashian family as well as her abandoned spouse.

The couple netted a whopping 18 million dollars during their wedding ceremony, out of which almost 15 million dollars is thought to have been TV rights which formed part of the family’s exclusive deal with E!, meaning that the whole haul has earned the couple about 250,000 dollars per day.

The happy couple also bagged 1 million dollars from People magazine for exclusive shots of the apparently joyous occasion excluding the value of numerous other magazine covers.

Among others, the socialite was paid 500,000 dollars to host her bachelorette party at Tao in Las Vegas and the basketball player, who was earning around 40,000 dollars per game, has been hitting the quarter of a million mark each day since his marriage.

Lindsay Lohan jailed for 30 days in LA

2011-11-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES: Troubled US actress Lindsay Lohan was jailed for 30 days on Wednesday after admitting violating her probation terms for a previous offense.

Judge Stephane Sautner ordered the 25-year-old to surrender to county jail by November 9 to begin the sentence, while issuing a series of conditions to avoid serving another 270 days behind bars. (AFP)

James Bond aims to bounce back with new film launch

2011-11-03T08:40:00.000-07:00

LONDON: James Bond returns on Thursday with the launch of the 23rd instalment in the famous film franchise, and aims to bounce back after a studio bankruptcy put production on hold for months and the last movie earned mixed reviews.

As ever ahead of a major Bond announcement, unconfirmed rumours have been flying across cyberspace.

What can be said with certainty is that Daniel Craig returns for his third outing as the suave secret agent, and Sam Mendes, Oscar winner with "American Beauty" who worked with Craig on "Road to Perdition", will direct.

Spanish actor Javier Bardem and Britain's Ralph Fiennes are expected to join the cast, and Judi Dench is set to return as Bond's stern boss "M".

Other stars reported to be involved include Albert Finney, who would be making his first Bond appearance aged 75, and Naomie Harris as Miss Moneypenny.

Locations and plotline are largely unknown to the outside world, although some media have said scenes shot on a train in India are likely to feature.

A spokeswoman for Sony Pictures declined to give details about Thursday's event beyond what appeared on a press invitation -- that producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli would present Mendes and "key" cast members.

Sony Pictures, a unit of Sony Corp, will distribute the film, which is set to hit British theatres on Oct. 26, 2012 and U.S. cinemas on Nov. 9.

Next year is the 50th anniversary of the series, which began in 1962 with Sean Connery on Her Majesty's secret service in "Dr. No".

Debt-laden Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc, known for its roaring lion logo and behind some of Hollywood's most fabled films including "The Wizard of Oz", filed for bankruptcy in November last year.

Two months later it confirmed Bond 23 would hit theatres in November, 2012, and in April MGM and Sony announced they would co-finance and distribute the next two Bond movies.

The studios previously partnered on "Quantum of Solace" and Craig's 2006 Bond debut "Casino Royale."

The high-octane, action-heavy films are expensive to make and market, with Quantum of Solace estimated to have cost around $200 million.

But they have a good record commercially, and according to movie tracking website boxofficemojo.com, Casino Royale earned $594 million in global ticket sales and Quantum of Solace $586 million.

Craig's first appearance as Bond was hailed as a refreshing change in direction towards a tougher, more serious 007, and reviews were overwhelmingly positive.

Quantum of Solace fared less well with the critics, although positive reviews still outweighed the negative. (Reuters)

Deepika Padukone stuck to cycling routine during 'Desi Boyz'

2011-11-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

Deepika Padukone reportedly stuck to her exercise regime throughout the strenuous shoot of Desi Boyz.

The actress appears alongside Akshay Kumar and John Abraham in the action film.

A source told Hindustan Times: "Deepika is disciplined. She impressed everyone with her time management to squeeze in space for cycling.

"She didn't skip the routine even when she partied till late in the night or shot for 18 hours a day.

"Deepika was also eating simple and healthy food. And cycling helped her explore London, one of her favourite destinations."

Padukone recently returned to Race 2 after temporarily dropping out due to scheduling clashes with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.

She reportedly came back to the production after she was given a pay rise.

Despite her famously disciplined approach to her fitness, the actress recently admitted that she found promoting films "stressful".

LADY GaGa showed off her curves as she performed at the afterparty for the first ever Indian Grand Prix.

2011-11-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

Dressed in a skimpy outfit, which featured a thong, the singer looked a little more voluptuous than we are used to as she writhed on the stage.

The eccentric star has made good use of her time in the country, asking her management to shoehorn in trips to two local orphanages.

She asked for three hours at the children's homes to give music lessons to the kids.

The singer has revealed she plans to open her own foundation for disadvantaged children one day.

A source said: "GaGa would one day like to set up a foundation in her name to help children and, now her career has really taken off, she feels as if it's the right time to do something.

"She knows it will be a massive amount of work but she wants to start by getting involved in some orphanages that already exist and devote some of her time and money to helping them."

She still found enough time to add to her enormous wardrobe, spending an hour at a craft market before hauling home TEN bags of jewellery, material, and ornaments.

Was Akon SRK's original choice, not Lady Gaga?

2011-11-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

Only after the 'Chammak Challo' crooner apparently rejected an offer to perform at the F1 after party, Lady Gaga was approached

According to the latest buzz, international pop singer Akon was originally approached to perform at the much-hyped launch of Formula 1 after party hosted by Arjun Rampal's resto-bar.

Interestingly, it was only after the singer turned down the offer, Lady Gaga was roped in.

A source says, "Shah Rukh Khan wanted Akon instead of Gaga to perform at the Formula One after parties held at Arjun Rampal's lounge.

The event was being held soon after the release of RA.One, so SRK suggested Arjun, who also stars in the film, to rope in Akon.

The marketing genius thought it would be a perfect opportunity to do the post-release promotions of the film. Since the pop star has sung the Chammak Challo song, he could perform it at the party and help promote the film."

But alas! SRK's plan to kill two birds with one stone didn't work, as Akon didn't accept his offer. Reason? The singer wasn't apparently pleased with the money offered, which was half his market price.

It was only later that Arjun's team apparently decided to approach the pop diva Lady Gaga." Both SRK and Arjun Rampal remained unavailable for comment.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com

Asif only has himself to blame: Veena Malik

2011-11-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

MUMBAI: Actress Veena Malik reacted to the spot-fixing trial verdict and said Mohammed Asif only had himself to blame.

Speaking with Geo News after a London court found Salman Butt and Mohammed Asif guilty in the spot-fixing trial Veena Malik said this was not a surprise although she hoped for a better outcome.

“Asif was involved in these types of activities” Veena said.

Veena said she would advise Asif to stay away from these sorts of activities. “I was the only person who would tell Asif not to take part in such activity.”

The actress added that she felt sorry for Mohammed Asif because he had always told her that cricket was his first love.

Halloween 2011 - Rebecca Romijn Reveals Daughter Dolly Scared of Pumpkins

2011-11-01T07:53:00.000-07:00

Actress Rebecca Romijn said her daughter Dolly is scared of pumpkins so isn't a fan of Halloween.

The 38-year-old is mum to twin girls Dolly and Charlie, two, and spoke about her plans for the holiday on The Talk.

She said: "I've always gone really scary [and] put a Grim Reaper in the corner with a low light over it, but you can't do that with kids.

"You know how you can go in two different directions for Halloween? Really scary or really cute Halloween - I'm now going really cute Halloween!"

She revealed Dolly and Charlie have both picked their outfits for Halloween - a princess and a cowboy.

She added: "I've been taking them to get manicures and [Dolly's] been painting her nails black. All of a sudden [she] decided that everything Halloween is too scary.

"She's been taking all of the pumpkins off the porch and putting them on the side of the house."

Megan Fox Heading to Broadway for Play

2011-11-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

Hollywood actress Megan Fox is heading to Broadway for one night only.

The 25-year-old will make her theater debut in The 24 Hour Plays at the American Airlines Theatre in New York City on November 14.

Other actors who have signed up for the project include Jesse Eisenberg, John Krasinski, Julia Stiles and Jason Biggs.

Each writer, director and actor team only has 24-hours to write and rehearse a 10-minute piece for the event.

Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Urban Arts Partnership, an organization that promotes arts-integrated education programs in underprivileged communities.

Nilofer Shahid to represent Pakistan at World Fashion Week

2011-11-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

Pakistan will be officially welcomed at the first annual World Fashion Week (WFW) to be held in New York City in 2012. As a prelude of the historic gathering, WFW will welcome leading fashion designer Nilofer Shahid as the official representative of Pakistan during the welcoming gala in NYC set to kick off on November 11, 2011. Nilofer will join forces to encourage entrepreneurship activities, women empowerment and the eradication of global poverty, launching the global campaign “Give your Light to the World”.

Nilofer will gather with fashion icons, influential leaders and international media from five continents in a celebration of cultural diversity expressed through the artistic fashion discipline. WFW’s global campaign, “Give your Light to the World”, will further the objectives of “Fashion for Peace”. WFW and leading fashion councils in Pakistan have nominated Nilofer Shahid due to her efforts made in social and human development and women empowerment.

“As small streams come together into a boundless ocean, they create high spiritual waves and eventually bring a change with the breath of our own spirits!” said Nilofer. Nilofer Shahid is one of the pioneering fashion designers in Pakistan. She brought couture wear to the limelight in Pakistan. Her fashion house, Meeras, has been looked up to as the benchmark for elegance and regality in Pakistan. Her acclaim is not withheld in Pakistan alone; she has participated at Paris Fashion Week where juries equated her work to Dior.

Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Celebrates 38th Birthday

2011-11-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

MUMBAI: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turns 38 today. The mom-to-be was recently seen at the Diwali party hosted by the Bachchans.

This birthday is all set to be a landmark one for the most beautiful woman in the world as she gets set to turn mother. For the woman who appears to have it all, there's probably not much else she can wish for as she gets set to take on the role of a lifetime. Some unconfirmed reports suggest though that several gifts will be showered on her today, including expensive jewellery, a car and even a home!

India's most awaited baby is expected on November 11.

Saif crowned as 'nawab'

2011-11-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was made the new Nawab (Muslim prince) of Pataudi on Monday in a private ceremony at his ancestral home in northern India.

Khan became the 10th nawab of the former princely state after the death of his 70-year-old father, Mansur Ali Khan, in September.

The elder Khan, nicknamed "Tiger Pataudi" for his brilliant fielding, captained India at cricket while his father, Ifthikar Ali Khan, played for both India and England.

Saif Ali Khan, 41, is one of Hindi-language cinema's biggest stars and was recently seen in the thriller "Aarakshan" (Reservation) alongside Amitabh Bachchan.

Monday's ceremony was held at the family seat of Pataudi Palace in Haryana state and attended by relatives and local villagers, said Rohini Iyer, Khan's spokeswoman in Mumbai.

Village chiefs tied a turban around his head at a ceremony watched by his mother, former actress Sharmila Tagore and his two sisters, television footage showed.

Pataudi was a princely state in pre-independence India while the nawabs, who can trace their lineage back centuries, were its aristocratic rulers.

Like the heads of other erstwhile Indian princely states that were taken over after the British left in 1947, the title is now ceremonial with no formal powers. (AFP)

Stuntman dies on Stallone film shoot in Bulgaria

2011-11-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES: A stuntman has died and another was injured on a film shoot for star-studded Hollywood action sequel "The Expendables 2" in Bulgaria, the production company said.

The incident occurred while the two men were shooting a scene involving an explosion in a rubber boat near a dam on Lake Ognyanovo in southwestern Bulgaria last Thursday, media reports said.

The accident "resulted in one fatality and one injury," said a spokesman for the production, while the Sofia Echo English-language newspaper said the injured man underwent five hours of surgery.

The main production unit for the movie, written by Sylvester Stallone, was shooting in the mountain resort village of Bansko, two and a half hours away, said the spokesman.

"It is with great regret that we confirm this unfortunate accident," added a statement by producers Image/Millennium Films. "Our hearts go out to the families and those on the production affected by this tragedy.

"The filmmakers are working closely with the authorities in responding to and investigating this accident," it added, giving no further details of the incident.

"The Expendables 2," starring "Rocky" actor Stallone as well as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis and Jean-Claude Van Damme, is a follow-up to the 2010 action blockbuster.

The sequel is due for release in August next year. (AFP)

Hrithik's red-hot new girl,"Esha Gupta"

2011-10-30T13:14:00.000-07:00

It seems like searching for Hrithik's leading lady in Krrish 2 has become a game of musical chairs that will not end. A role which has some grey shades to it had been offered to Kangna Ranaut and Sonakshi Sonakshi at first but both of them refused to be part of the film.

Eventually, Chitrangda Singh accepted it only to walk out suddenly citing date problems (read tiff with the Roshans). And finally, when we heard the news of Jacqueline Fernandez pairing up with Duggu little did we know she'll depart soon as well making way for a newbie and a popular model Esha Gupta.

Esha won the Miss India International title in 2007, and represented the country in the Miss International 2007 contest. She has also featured in the Kingfisher calendar.

Her sex appeal had earlier won her a role in Bhatt's Jannat 2, which Prachi Desai and Paoli Dam were considered for.

Buoyant with her recent project fishing Esha considers herself as a serious contender for THE next Bollywood babe title.

"I think I'm going to make it really big. So I don't need a back-up plan. I might model till the age of 34 or 35, but by that time I will be already settled and have a family," she told a leading daily.

But when asked about how she plans to tackle the competition from star kids, and other models crossing over into B-town, she said: "I enrolled in an acting school and have been brushing up on my dancing skills. Fortunately, I have a good handle on my Hindi diction. But times are changing - on one hand we have models who have done really well onscreen and then there are actors who can't act."

"I guess it's easy to break into the industry, but not easy to make it big. I've been lucky because I got the best project," she added.

Spielberg confirms 'Jurassic Park 4'

2011-10-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

Hollywood director Steven Spielberg has confirmed that he is working on the fourth instalment of "Jurassic Park" and that the sequel will be an improvement from the last one, which was released in 2001.

"The screenplay is being written right now by Mark Protosevich. I'm hoping that will come out in the next couple of years. We have a good story. We have a better story for IV than we had for III, " contactmusic. com quoted the 64-year-old as saying.

Based on the best-selling Michael Crichton novel, "Jurassic Park" was a cult in itself and went on to gross $350 million in the US when released in 1993.

Starring Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum, the movie spawned two sequels.

Rakhi seeks Anna Hazare's help for her 'Choos Le' song

2011-10-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

When Rakhi Sawant is angry, not many in the country can have the guts to stop her! The latest to face the ire of Bollywood’s biggest firecracker, is none other than the Censor Board, for having bleeped out the words ‘Choos Le’ (suck) from her song ‘Jawani Ki Bank Loot Le’ in her upcoming film Loot.

Rakhi insists that though the words could be controversial in nature when singled out, in her song, they have been used aptly and with the right connotations, without any vulgar or offensive meaning.

“If the Censor Board can pass songs like ‘Bhaag D.K. Bose’ (Delhi Belly) and ‘Jhak Maar Ke’ (Desi Boyz), why should they have a bias towards my song ‘Jawani Ki Bank Loot Le.’ Why am I being targeted by the Board, whereas John Abraham, Deepika Padukone and Imran Khan can get away with it,” Rakhi questions.

But since the Censor Board is in no mood to listen, Rakhi has decided to march straight up to India’s most famous anti- corruption crusader Anna Hazare with her plea.

Confirming this, her publicist Dale Bhagwagar says, “It is true that Rakhi has decided to approach Anna Hazare. She is currently doing her research on songs which she considers vulgar and objectionable.”

He adds, “She plans to carry their videos and CD’s to Mr Hazare’s village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar. Rakhi wants Mr Hazare to judge for himself, whether her song ‘Jawani Ki Bank Loot Le’ is vulgar compared to the others passed by the Censor Board.”

Just for the record, the lyrics of Rakhi’s song read, “Main russ malaai hoon, jannat se aayee hoon, saamne parosi hoon, aake choos le… hey… saiyaan jawani ki bank loot le.”

Celebrities: Caught on camera

2011-10-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

With every appearance watched and noted, celebrities have to live their lives appearing at their best — both physically and morally — or they risk a backlash as adulation turns to demonisation. However, more often are the times when standards slip and some surprising behaviour comes through.

One such case risking the wrath of his fans is Omar Sharif. The 79-year-old veteran actor was caught on video apparently slapping a persistant fan at an awards show in Qatar, revealed British newspaper the Daily Mail. Sharif, present at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival, rebuked a woman for queue-jumping. “My dear!” Sharif exclaimed in Arabic, as translated by the Washington Post, “I told you I’d get to you afterwards! I just said that and you’re standing here. Put something in your brain!” While his alleged blow was not seen from the camera’s position behind the woman’s head, celebrity gossip website TMZ quoted an unnamed journalist present as tweeting “Omar Sharif just hit a woman. Very stupidly, in front of a camera.”

Afterwards, however, Sharif became calmer and posed with the embarrassed looking — but still smiling — fan. The incident has led to much reflection on Sharif’s past bursts of violence — in 2003, he was convicted of violence towards a police officer in France, and in 2007 pleaded no contest to charges of battery against a parking attendant in the US.

Also catching attention for his behaviour — albeit ending up on the receiving end of aggression — was American singer Usher. He was confronted by an angry woman after apparently parking in a disabled bay, according to TMZ. Like the incident with Sharif, Usher’s confrontation was captured on video by an onlooker.

The R&B singer was accosted by a woman at a shopping centre in Atlanta near a Halloween parade after he took the liberty of parking his SUV in a handicapped spot. The video reavealed that the woman, apparently angered by the (able-bodied) singer’s illegal parking, approached his car and reportedly sprayed beer from a can at Usher while he was still sitting in the driver’s seat with the window down. Usher retaliated and splashed the woman with his water bottle, which prompted her to kick his driver’s side door until he exited the car, TMZ said. The woman angrily shouted, “You don’t belong here!” and repeatedly lunged at him, before being pulled away by her husband.

However, while Sharif and Usher would undoubtedly prefer their fans not seeing them in less-than-ideal situations, Hollywood actor Demi Moore went the exact same way. Moore has been accused of lashing out at a photographer, who followed her on a trip to a nail salon in Los Angeles, reported aceshowbiz.com.
On October 28, while exiting Jessica Nail Clinic in West Hollywood’s Sunset Plaza, Moore lashed out at a photographer when he approached her for a picture. She is said to have hurled obscenities at him before reportedly lunging at his camera, stunning on-lookers recalled.

An eyewitness disclosed to aceshowbiz.com that the paparazzo “physically jumped in front of [Demi], basically entrapping her, pushing his body and camera into her so she couldn’t walk or move.” The photographer also added, “Demi was crazy; she was totally losing it. I was just standing on the sidewalk, trying to get a few shots of her and she was going completely mad. She tried to jump on me and swipe my camera.” The actor, it’s said, is in stress following reports that her marriage to Ashton Kutcher is falling apart.

'The Adventures of Tintin' gets mixed reviews overseas

2011-10-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES: "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn," Steven Spielberg's 3-D take on Georges Remi's treasured comic books, is already a hit overseas with audiences. But what about the critics?

Overseas opinionators vary wildly in their assessments, with some heaping on the praise and one British critic reacting violently against it.

In Belgium, where the comic books originated, the newspaper Le Soir, takes a positive view of the film -- we think. According to the translation program we ran their review through, "The Adventures of Tintin" is "a popular and general public film, which alternates in a tasty way the exotic film of adventure, play of track Hitchcockian and the picaresque comedy."

So ... it's eclectic?

Alas, the film earned a huge thumbs-down from the Guardian's literary critic, Nicholas Lezard. A self-professed lifelong Tintin fan, Lezard likens the film to a sexual assault.

"Coming out of the new Tintin film directed by Steven Spielberg, I found myself, for a few seconds, too stunned and sickened to speak; for I had been obliged to watch two hours of literally senseless violence being perpetrated on something I loved dearly," Lezard writes. "In fact, the sense of violation was so strong that it felt as though I had witnessed a rape."

In France, Spielberg's interpretation of Tintin appears to be considered tres bien. L'Express lauds the filmmaker for crafting an adaptation that isn't afraid to break with Remi's vision, but remains lovingly faithful in its own way.

Spielberg allows to reinvent certain sides of history, and to make some winks," the paper notes. Even so, the review adds, "One feels all the affection which it carries to its characters."

France's Cinema Teaser praises the film's "sublime" opening-credits sequence, as well as the much-ballyhooed technology behind the film. It says that "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn" proves "that the performance capture can definitively cause life when it is used by a large scenario writer."

England's Empire Online also makes special note of the film's performance-capture technology, noting that it lends itself to "endless chase sequences." However, the review concludes that it's the heart beating underneath the bells and whistles that makes "The Adventures of Tintin" a captivating read.

"You have a job keeping up, but never at the expense of the sheer goodwill," the review posits. "While luxuriating in its pre-existing universe, here is a film imploring you to join in. It would take a hard heart to resist."

Overall, Empire concludes, "The Adventures of Tintin" is "action-packed, gorgeous, and faithfully whimsical." (Reuters)

Kareena Kapoor’s wax statue unveiled

2011-10-30T12:55:00.000-07:00

LONDON: Bollywood superstar Kareena Kapoor finally came face to face with her brand new wax figure at Madame Tussauds Blackpool on Thursday, October 27th.

The unveiling marked the launch of the attraction’s all new Bollywood exhibition, which will be at Madame Tussauds until January 2012.

The look of her wax statue, which was widely discussed in the industry and amongst fans, is from the popular song ‘Mauja Mauja’ from Jab We Met, a film that changed Kapoor’s career.

The actress arrived on the red carpet with her mother Babita Kapoor, a former Bollywood actress to unveil her statue.

Tell Me O Kkhuda is a dull fare (Movie Review)

2011-10-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

The story of Tell Me O Kkhuda, revolving around a girl, who upon discovering she was an orphan goes in search of her parents, immediately reminds you of the Hollywood film, Mamma Mia.

In Mamma Mia, however, the central character (played by Amanda Seyfried) is only looking for her father while her mother (Meryl Streep) is by her side.

There are three candidates as the potential papa in the Hollywood flick, and there are three potential fathers in this one too. But hold it, that's where the comparison ends. While Mamma Mia was a delightful musical, with stellar performances, Tell Me O Kkhuda is more or less a drag.

Tanya's (Esha) search for her parents also reminds us of Hema Malini's earlier direction, Dil Aashna Hai. After 26 years of being wonderfully brought up by her adoptive parents (Farukh Shaikh and Deepti Naval), novelist Tanya discovers that she is an adopted child. So her quest to find her 'real' parents begin and this leads her to Rajasthan, Turkey and Goa.

She has two friends (Arjun Bajwa and Chandan Roy Sanyal), who seem unemployed enough to accompany her wherever she goes.

In the course of her self-searching trip, she meets potential dads in the form of royalty (Vinod Khanna), a doting husband (Rishi Kapoor) and a don (Dharmendra).

A wonderful way to bring together three of the best looking yesteryears actors only if they had been utilised better. And of course, it is nice seeing Farukh and Deepti back together.

But only the feel-good factors (there are plenty) don't make a movie worth watching.

The story is outdated and not really exciting. I liked the first part better, because it deftly deals with the issue of female foeticide and also because of a gripping camel race.

The protagonist Tanya is largely a weepy character, even though she shows some gumption in parts. So there is not much that Esha Deol could do. Even then she could have done better.

Largely insipid, with some rare exciting moments, makes this film a dull fare.

Courtesy: Mid-Day.com