Headlines

"The Big Lebowski" Actor David Huddleston Dead at 85

4:24 AM |
(NEW YORK) -- Veteran character actor David Huddleston, who may be best known for the title role in the film The Big Lebowski, died Tuesday. He was 85.

His wife, Sarah Koeppe [KEP-ee], confirmed to ABC Radio that he died of advanced heart and kidney disease in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

Huddleston also played St. Nick in Dudley Moore's Santa Claus: The Movie, and the mayor in the classic Mel Brooks comedy Blazing Saddles. His TV work included guest-starring roles on shows like Walker, Texas Ranger, Murder, She Wrote, Gilmore Girls and The West Wing.
Huddleston also had a recurring role as the grandfather on The Wonder Years, for which he was nominated for an Emmy.

Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
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Maheeda and Ruggedy Baba - Are they love birds?

8:02 AM |

Maheeda and Ruggedman. Photo: Instagram
Maheeda and Ruggedman. Photo: Instagram


Is something brewing between Ruggedman and Maheeda?
The question can only be answered by both musicians, who were spotted together on Wednesday, August 13, 2014, in Lagos.

Maheeda paid the rapper a visit and the two couldn’t help but shower affection on each other, posting pictures of their time together on Instagram and Twitter.

However, a source says the two are looking at working together on a song, which is the reason they’ve been spending time together.
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Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson Split For Now

3:37 AM |
Kristen Stewart Robert PattinsonKristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson's three-plus-year relationship hit a rough patch last summer, after incriminating photos surfaced of Stewart with her married "Snow White and the Huntsman" director, Rupert Sanders.

And though the pair were seen holding hands at Coachella just last month, new reports suggest that the "Twilight" co-stars are taking a break from their real-life romance.

A source tells People that they've called it quits, but says "it would not be surprising" if Pattinson, 27, and Stewart, 23, got back together again.

Us Weekly is also reporting the split, with Pattinson insiders claiming the couple had been "having problems" and "fighting a lot."

Friday, HollywoodLife reported that Pattinson bailed on his own 27th birthday bash, which Stewart had arranged.

Stewart and Pattinson had been famously coy about their relationship prior to Stewart's cheating scandal with Sanders in July 2012, which prompted her to release a heartfelt apology.
"I'm deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I've caused to those close to me and everyone this has affected," she said in a statement to People at the time. "This momentary indiscretion has jeopardized the most important thing in my life, the person I love and respect the most, Rob. I love him, I love him, I'm so sorry."

A request for comment to Stewart's rep by The Huffington Post was not immediately answered.
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'Star Trek Into Darkness' Slightly Underperforms, 'Iron Man 3' Continues To Earn Big

3:35 AM |
Weekend Box Office Star Trek Into Darkness"Star Trek Into Darkness" soared to No. 1 at the box office this weekend as expected, but its $84.1 million intake fell slightly short of studio expectations. The four-day tally, as reported by Box Office Mojo, failed to snag the $100 million Paramount Pictures hoped to rack up. It also falls just short of the $86.7 million that 2009's "Star Trek" managed to collect during its four-day overture.
J.J. Abrams' sci-fi sequel, with a reported budget of $190 million, earned an additional $40 million overseas, bringing its international total to $164.6 million. The movie's traditional Friday-to-Sunday weekend revenue came in at $70.6 million.

While nowhere near a commercial disappointment, the slight downturn "Star Trek" saw on its first weekend further underscores what a megahit "Iron Man 3" is. Despite seeing a 51.5 percent hit from its previous week in theaters, the Marvel Studios threequel's added $35.2 million catapults it to No. 25 on the list of the highest-grossing domestic films of all time. Its total gross now sits at $337.1 million domestically and more than $1 billion globally.

"The Great Gatsby," in its second weekend in theaters, nabbed $23.4 million, bringing its collective gross to $90.2 million. Still a decided hit, the Baz Luhrmann-directed rendition of the iconic F. Scott Fitzgerald novel has seen a slightly more tepid reaction than expected, given the massive buzz the movie saw in the weeks leading up to its release. "Iron Man 3" prevented the glitzy "Gatsby" from securing the top spot at the box office during the latter film's first weekend in theaters. Perhaps plagued by mixed reviews, "Gatsby" has yet to earn enough revenue to match its reported $105 million budget.

Rounding out the weekend's top five movies are Michael Bay's "Pain and Gain," which is in its fourth week of being one of the top grossers, and "The Croods," which jumped to No. 5 this weekend after falling to No. 7 last weekend. "Gain" took in $3.1 million, bringing its total to $46.6 million. "The Croods" added $2.75 million, upping its gross to $176.8 million.
The weekend's only new release other than "Star Trek Into Darkness" was Noah Baumbach's well-received indie gem "Frances Ha," which opened in only four theaters to a $134,000 profit.
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Snooki gave birth to a boy

10:30 AM |
Snooki delivers a baby boy
"Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi early Sunday gave birth to her first child, a boy.

The reality TV star and her fiance, Jionni LaValle, welcomed 6-pound, 5-ounce Lorenzo Dominic LaValle into the world at just before 3 a.m. Sunday at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J., MTV said.

"The world just got another Guido!!!," a Polizzi rep told MTV. "Nicole, Jionni & Enzo are doing great!"

MTV congratulated Polizzi and her fiance and looked toward the newborn's possible appearance on "Jersey Shore."

"We couldn't be happier for Nicole and Jionni on the healthy delivery of their baby boy!," MTV said in a statement. "We look forward to Lorenzo's first trip to the Jersey Shore and can't wait to see his first animal print onesie."

MTV has said it's bringing "Jersey Shore" back for a sixth season, with the 24-year-old Snooki as part of the action, but has declined to offer specifics on how big a part Snooki will play in the show about hard-partying Italian-American friends.
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Johnny Depp Reveals Which of His Roles Was Inspired by George Bush

2:46 PM |
Johnny Depp                 George Bush


In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, the Dark Shadows star explains why he based his turn as Willy Wonka on the former POTUS

Since first teaming up for 1990's Edward Scissorhands, Johnny Depp  and director Tim Burton have crafted some of the most indelible and off-kilter characters in modern cinema. And none has a more interesting inspiration than crazed candy maker Willy Wonka in 2005's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: former President George W. Bush.

"Certain ingredients you add to these characters," 48-year-old Depp -- whose eighth collaboration with Burton, Dark Shadows, hits theaters May 11 -- said during an interview that aired on Tuesday's The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "Like Willy Wonka for example, I imagined what George Bush would be like incredibly stoned and thus was born my version of Willy Wonka." (Watch the interview below!)

Depp, who has also drawn inspiration from Rolling Stones  musician Keith Richards (he based Pirates of the Caribbean's Captain Jack Sparrow on him), says that it doesn't take him too long to figure out his way into a character.

"Generally like within the first 10 pages of a script, something clicks, something hits, and you feel like there's something that you can add to the piece that might not have done before," he told Ellen DeGeneres. "And then the images start to come. The look starts to come."

So who -- or what -- was the inspiration for his turn as the sharp-fingered title character in Edward Scissorhands?

"Scissorhands was a combination. It was the idea of like a newborn, really like a newborn seeing things for the first time, and also a dog that I'd had. This dog that I'd had where sort of this unconditional love, this sort purity in my dog, those were his basic ingredients," he explained. "There was something very safe in being that open to things and seeing things as very new."

It seems like Depp and Burton will continue to have a long and prosperous relationship together, especially with good advanced buzz for Dark Shadows. In addition to the three previously mentioned roles, Depp has also worked with Burton in Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Alice in Wonderland.

Perhaps not surprisingly, in a new interview with U.K. newspaper The Sun, Depp claims that he owes his career to Burton.

"Tim had to fight to give me the lead role in Edward Scissorhands in 1990 when I was still unknown, and he's always stood by me, even when things weren't going well later in my career," Depp says. "If it hadn't been for Tim, I would probably be a minor actor working in horror B movies."

He continues: "I owe him so much because he believed in me from the beginning. I would play any role in any film that he asked me to do purely out of gratitude."

So let's hope Burton asks Depp to play the title role in Tim Burton's George W. Bush: The Stoner President of Pennsylvania Avenue. We'd certainly pay to see that.

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Top 10 Comedy DVDs of 2011

6:13 AM |
It's a bit too miserable outside to be going anywhere right now. And seen as you've probably spent enough time over Christmas getting that mould of your ass in the couch just right, you might as well stay there and watch some funny people say funny stuff on your TV. We threw a lot of top 10's at you over the holiday season, Top 10 YouTube clips, Mike shared his  top 5 movies of 2011, there were popular Top 10's in music as well as ones in theatre. But if you're in the market to buy yourself a decent comedy dvd, this list's definitely worth a goo. As per Chortle  and the British Video Association, here be the Bestselling DVDs of 2011.

1 Peter Kay Live: The Tour That Didn't Tour


2 Lee Evans: Roadrunner Live At The O2


3 John Bishop Live: The Sunshine Tour


4 Alan Carr: Spexy Beast Live


5 Micky Flanagan: The Out Out Tour Live



6 Sarah Millican: Chatterbox Live



7 Comedy Superstars 2011

8 Russell Howard: Right Here Right Now



9 John Bishop: Elvis Has Left The Building



And for some reason, the Official Charts Company classes these DVD's under 'special interest' so oddly enough, Jeremy Clarkson's DVD has found it's way onto this list. There has to have been a 10th stand up with a DVD more successful and more funny thant his? Sad times.
10 Clarkson: Powered Up


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5 hot Nollywood babes to watch in 2012

5:29 AM |

Discovering new faces that will take after the likes of Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Ini Edo, Tonto Dike, Uche Jombo and many other A-list actresses when they finally stay off the screen over the years has remained a major issue as far as the Nigerian movie industry is concerned.

But today, with productions getting better and the industry gaining global attention, more and more faces are emerging, thus adding colour and freshness to the industry. HVP brings to you some of the new faces in Nollywood that are expected to become forces to reckon with in this new season.

 

Chinwe Isaac
Chinwe Isaac

Light skinned Chinwe Isaac is one fast rising actress that holds a lot of promises for the industry in this new season. Currently accused of taking after one of the most controversial actresses in Nollywood, Tonto Dike, after an extremely sexy role where she stuffed her breasts into an actor’s mouth in the movie titled “One Last Feeling”, the Imo State born actress who joined the industry in 2008, is not resting on her oar in respect of her determination to hit the top.

Industry watchers described Chinwe as one of the most sought after actresses by movie makers because of her daring attitude. Recently she shaved her hair for a new movie role, which she said she decided to play irrespective of the stigma that could come with walking about town on bald head,because she is driven by success and ability to take her craft a notch higher.

Chinwe who has starred in a couple of movies in the last four years made a name for herself in “Destitute”, a trilogy from the stable of Diamond Pictures, where she played her first major role.

A 300 level part time student of LASU, and a holder of a National Diploma in Music from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Chinwe says her future is very bright in the industry. “Feeling fulfilled I’ve spent only three years in the industry, having joined in 2008. And since then, I have been working. I’m sure I’d make my mark soon.”


 

Ruth Kadiri
Ruth Kadiri

Sexy actress Ruth Kadiri is another emerging face to watch out for in Nollywood in this year. She is not only a promising actress but she is a scriptwriter.

An undergraduate of University of Lagos, Ruth last year wowed audience with her work as an actress cum scriptwriter in the movie titled “Ladies Men/ Ladies Gang.” She has been the toast of many fans of Nigerian movies in recent times.

Despite the grave allegation that made headlines last year that she was dumped by a popular producer, Stanley Ebonine for the love of his life, Dorathy Chinasa Agu, Ruth has remained focused and daring in the pursuit of her acting career. She believes that she will hit the tops this new season.

 



Uche Benjamin
Uche Benjamin

Uche Benjamin joined the industry two years ago, and already she has become a force to reckon with when you talk of emerging faces in Nollywood. A graduate of UNIPORT where she studied Biochemistry, Uche is today living her dream as an actress.

Her passion for acting started from childhood, which she has sustained till date. Currently, she is known for her roles in such movies as ‘Ego’, ‘Pains from the Heart’, ‘Adams Desire’, ‘Margaret Thatcher’, with ‘Everlasting Love’ being the movie which gave her, her break in the industry. Uche has what it takes to stand out in the industry as one of the emerging faces in Nollywood.

 




Beverly Naya
Beverly Naya

Ifunnanya Beverly, popularly known as Beverly Naya is described by many of her fans as the rave of the moment. She is currently enjoying a lot of attention as one of the emerging actresses in Nollywood. After relocating home from the UK two years ago, where she lived with her parents for almost 15 years. Beverly has become the darling of many movie bluffs in the country.

This sexy actress who has modeled and acted extensively in the UK and America, took Nollywood by storm after she played the female lead role in Lancelot Imasuen’s award-winning movie “Home In Exile.” She hosted the last ‘Mode Men Awards’ and featured in the star-studded ‘Weekend Getaway’ and “Alan Poza.”

The Ibuzo, Delta State born actress who studied Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy at the Brunel University, London, recently returned from Bayelsa, where she was part of the cast of a new epic movie titled ‘Up Creek Without A Paddle.’ Beverly no doubt is a promising actress to watch out for , in this new season.

 

Amanda Ebeye
Amanda Ebeye

Of all the pretty actresses currently on parade in Nollywood, Amanda Ebeye stands shoulder high among her peers. She is not only proficient and talented, she is equally endowed with brain and beauty. Many industry watchers described her as the “Nollywood star on the bloc.”

A graduate of International Studies and Diplomacy from the Benson Idahosa University, Benin, Amanda is gradually warming her way into the hearts of movie buffs with her impressive performance in movies and soap operas.

Ever since she debuted in the movie, “Weeping Tiger”, the ebony damsel from Agbor, in Delta State, has not looked back. She has delved into acting and has dumped the trade she studied in the university. Her role in the soap, “Clinic Matters” which is currently running on some television stations across the country is still the talk of the town.

Other movies where she featured in inlcuded “Last Weeding’, “Keep My Love” and “Tomorrow Must Wait”, “The Patriot”, More Than a Friend” ElDorado”. She also featured in such soaps as Super Story, Everyday People, City Sisters, Clinic Matters and Images.
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Ini Edo and some Nollywood stars bag chieftaincy titles

5:53 AM |
VETERAN actors Chinwetalu Agu,Patience Ozokwor a.k.a Mama G, Hon Richard Mofe Damijo(RMD) and pretty actress Ini Edo-Ehiagwina,top actor Emeka Ike have been conferred with Chieftancy titles by the traditional ruler of Egbunike, Anambra State. As gathered, these film makers were honored as a result of their excellent interpretation of movie roles that project Igbo traditions to the world.
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Rajinikanth ready to start Kochadaiyaan

3:41 AM |
Rajinkanth
The superstar is ready to don the grease paint again! Yes, Rajinikanth himself has confirmed that he is gearing up to start his next magnum opus, which is expected to take off in February.

Rajinikanth says that he is fit and fine now and he will be kick-starting Kochadaiyaan in February. The forthcoming movie is a prequel to Rana, which was launched last April before dropping the movie due to the superstar’s ill health.

Kochadaiyaan will mark the directorial debut of the superstar’s daughter, Soundarya Rajinikanth. Acclaimed filmmaker KS Ravikumar, who will be directing the prequel of the upcoming movie, will supervise her in the forthcoming movie.

The multilingual project has AR Rahman’s music and it is high-tech 3D animation film. Kochadaiyaan also features Sneha and the hunt for the other cast is on.
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Juhi Parmar announced winner of house at grand finale

3:34 AM |
Juhi Palma
TV artiste Juhi Parmar has finally been announced as the winner of the controversial reality show Bigg Boss season 5. Along with Juhi there were four other members like Sky aka Akashdeep Saigal, Amar Upadyay, Siddharth Bhardwaj, Mahek Chahal in the house. But Juhi has beaten everyone in the grand finale of the Bigg Boss 5 on this Saturday. With this, she has bagged the prize money of Rs.1 crore.

Juhi Parmar entered the Bigg Boss 5 house with the first 13 contestants on October 2, 2011. Although the Kumkum star indulged in many arguments in Bigg Boss 5 house, she made sure that she play the game more safely and patiently. She faced lot of hardship for her friendship with Sky and Sunny Leone, but she never cared for those criticisms. Finally, her patience has been paid off with the Bigg Boss 5 title.

However, Juhi Parmar, who is married to TV personality and businessman Sachin Shroff, has earlier participated in other reality shows like ‘Pati Patni Aur Who’ and ‘Maa Exchange’ and many others. She has won the Miss Rajasthan title in 1999. She has also bagged the Best Actress critic (Female) at the Indian Telly Awards in 2005 for her character ‘Kumkum’ of STAR Plus's Kumkum (TV series).
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Sonam Kapoor hopes to be cast in sis Rhea's next

3:27 AM |
Sonam Kapoor
Though Sonam Kapoor’s younger sister and Anil Kapoor’s daughter, Rhea Kapoor is all set for her second production, she still hasn’t approached Sonam for the film.

Rhea Kapoor is planning her second production after Aisha (2010). Though Aisha had Sonam portray the lead role, it is not sure if Rhea will cast Sonam in her second venture as well. Though Sonam thinks that Rhea did an impressive job in Aisha, she is still hoping that she is considered for Rhea’s second film as well. When told that it is surprising why Rhea Kapoor still hasn’t approached Sonam for the role, Sonam laughingly told the journalists to ask her father Anil Kapoor whether she will be cast in Rhea’s next film.

Talking about her sister, Sonam also said that Rhea has her own idea about who should be cast in the film and is rebellious and headstrong. Meanwhile, Anil Kapoor has said that a formal announcement of the film will take time as the star cast is yet to be finalised.

Meanwhile, Sonam Kapoor is very hopeful that her film Players with Abhishek Bachchan will be well appreciated by the audience.
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Abhishek Bachchan starrer movie Players has received a lukewarm opening at the Box Office

3:21 AM |
Abhishek Bachchan starrer movie Players
Abhishek Bachchan starrer movie Players, which is the first Bollywood release of the year 2012, has received a lukewarm opening at the Box Office in India. The below average response of the movie has shocked the industry. According to trade experts, the film would earn Rs 5 to 6 crores at the collection centres on the first day.

Players, which is a multi-starrer film, is a big budget movie and it was expected to debut with a huge collection at the Box Office. But the film has registered 20% to 30% occupancy in its opening and noon shows. Trade expert Taran Adarsh says that the opening response was as low as 15% at several screens.

However, Players is a remake of Hollywood classic Italian Job and it has received mixed reviews from film critics. Now, the makers of film, which had a huge amount of promotional activities, are hoping that the word of mouth to create magic at the Box Office. The movie is expected to have a big jump in collections on Saturday and Sunday.
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Holland Taylor offers no apologies for never settling down,

2:37 AM |
Holland Taylor
Holland Taylor offers no apologies for never settling down, getting married or having children.

The 68-year-old Emmy-winning actress, currently starring in her one-woman show "Ann" at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center, simply never had the time.

"I always did think I would be married and settled down by now but maybe I ain't ready," she said, sounding a lot like the over-the-top mother of Jon Cryer she portrays in the CBS comedy "Two and a Half Men." "Then again, maybe I won't ever be ready."

Taylor's career blossomed in her mid-30s and the New Yorker with Pennsylvania roots has been on a dizzying pace ever since, starring on the stage, in television and on film.

Having a family just wasn't in the script.

"I'm very, very happy. I just never was the marrying kind," she said. "I am a serial monogamist. I don't have multiple relationships at once.

"I've had a long life and a lot of relationships and not one of them do I wish -- well, I take that back -- there are a couple I could have done without," she added with a chuckle.

Taylor's current love is "Ann," which is based on the life of quick-witted, sharp-tongued former Texas Gov. Ann Richards.

Seconds after a recent performance at the Kennedy Center, the audience was on its feet, cheering wildly for the show and its star.

While the applause was quick that night, overall it was a long time coming for Taylor. The actress conceived the show nearly six years ago and has been researching it and writing it ever since. She admits to being captivated about the dynamic Richards, who died in 2006 of esophageal cancer.

"I had a lot of creative feelings about her," Taylor told Reuters. "If I had been a painter, it would have been a painting. If I had been a composer, it would have been a piece of music. I had to do something with my feelings about this loss."

Taylor said the idea of taking Richards' story to the stage "came to me very suddenly."

"I was literally driving to work at my television show one day and I had to pull off the highway onto the service road," she recalled. "I had the idea it should be a play because of her liveliness and her contact with the audience.

"She herself said, 'I was good as a candidate over the years only because I connect with people one on one.' I decided right then a play is how it should be done."

NO LOOKING BACK

Taylor has perfected Richards' Southern drawl and eerily looks like the Texas politician whose energizing keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention elevated her to widespread prominence.

The actress insists she brought Richards' story to the stage not because she could play the role but to celebrate the politician's life.

"She was not a person who looked back. Ever," Taylor said. "She did not revisit things. She was rolling along, like a wheel that goes under and then over. Under and over. But always moving forward.

"If she fell, she fell forward. And that is not the way I am. I get very upset. I can get very waylaid. I get blue. I can become chicken little.

"And now when I do, I think, 'What would Ann Richards think of this behavior?'"

During breaks in the show's pre-Broadway tour -- it is playing now through January 15 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts -- Taylor will continue her role on "Two and a Half Men." She is glad its former star, Charlie Sheen, survived his firing and public meltdown earlier this year and has moved on.

"It was painful for me to see him in pain and he did something very, very dangerous by first of all, obviously doing drugs to that degree is dangerous, but quitting very violently is very dangerous too," she said.

"And he went through really an amazing thing out in public. I just was terrified for him. I think everybody was. But he got through it alive which is all anybody wanted."

Taylor said she would see his daily rants and described them as "very scary."

"There were a few days there where I would open the paper, and I would be so frightened to see that something really terrible happened," she said. "I'm glad he escaped that."

Holland Taylor is in a good spot these days, healthy, happy and with more job offers than she knows what do with. Just don't expect her to slow down anytime soon.

With a laugh, she said she would "commit an ax murder" before attempting to conceal her age.

"It would seem so silly," she said backstage at the Kennedy Center. "I really, truly genuinely struggled quite hard until I was in my mid-30s. "I personally was at sea.

"But that's long gone. I'm doing OK. I'm better than OK."
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Harry Potter' Cast Considered Commemorative Tattoos

8:22 AM |
The cast of the Harry Potter movies considered marking the end of the franchise with matching tattoos of the wizard's lightning scar, but they backed out of the plan, according to actor Rupert Grint.

The British star, who plays Ron Weasley in the series, has revealed many of the young actors discussed inking a permanent reminder of the films, but although Grint was eage to mark the end of the franchise with the body art, the others decided against it.

He tells Britain's Daily Mirror, "There was talk between us about doing something like a tattoo. It would have been something subtle like Harry's lightning scar. It would've been a great way of marking the end of filming."

Earlier this year, Emma Watson, who plays Hermione Granger in the films, revealed she also wanted to find a way to commemorate the end of filming, but ruled out getting a tattoo.
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Jessica Simpson: Pregnancy was meant for me

1:04 AM |
Jessica Simpson
Pregnancy  has been no inconvenience for Jessica Simpson so far. In fact, she loves it.

"Pregnancy was meant for me – it really was," the Fashion Star mentor and Beauty Mint spokesperson tells PEOPLE. "I can't wait to have more kids. I love being pregnant. I have such an incredible connection with myself and with my body that I've never had before."

Simpson, 31, also says pregnancy has been a spiritual time, too.
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Alvin & the Chipmunks Sue Capitol for Royalties

3:07 AM |

Talk about a chipmunk (squirrel) trying to a get a nut -- the creators of Alvin and the Chipmunks have sued Capitol Records for 4 years of royalties on the high-pitched hitmakers' songs.

In the lawsuit, Bagdasarian Productions -- the people who created Alvin and Co. back in 1958 -- say they conducted an audit of royalty payments made to them between 2005 and 2009 ... and their results showed the 'munks were getting shafted.

Bagdasarian Prods. say they own all the Chipmunk's performances -- including classics like "On Top of Old Smokey," "Polly Wolly Doodle," and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot."

According to the suit, they're supposed to be paid about .09 for each song that's reproduced or distributed -- OR about .02 per minute of playing time. It all adds up.

Bagdasarian is demanding a full accounting and damages for breach of contract.
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Greene savors Alice's conflicts in 'Breaking Dawn'

9:19 AM |

Tim Lammers, StrictlyCinema.com  -  If any actor is lucky enough, they may in their career get to play a character twice if a film does well enough to warrant a sequel. But for Ashley Greene, whose star in Hollywood began to rise with the smashing success of the first "Twilight" film in 2008, playing Alice Cullen has not only become an exciting gig, but an exhilarating way of life.

"The thing that's been thrilling for me as an actor is having the chance to develop Alice throughout each installment and add layers to the foundation that was created," Greene said in a recent interview. "I got to add a lot of different elements to her in the first part of 'Breaking Dawn' because she's in a much darker place."

"Breaking Dawn -- Part 1," which opens in theaters nationwide Friday just after midnight, marks the fourth film in "The Twilight Saga" for Greene and her fellow stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner. The first in the two-part finale of the film series, "Part 1" finally finds vampire Edward Cullen (Pattinson) meeting his human love, Bella Swan (Stewart) at the altar, despite the jealousy of Jacob Black (Lautner), a werewolf who has long-competed with Edward for Bella's love.

But things become far more complicated when Bella becomes pregnant during the couple's honeymoon, as she carries a half-vampire, half-human child who poses a threat to both the wolf pack and the vampire clan. Worse yet, the pregnancy is taking a near-fatal toll on Bella, which plunges Alice into turmoil because the presence of the unborn baby has rendered the vampire powerless to see the future of her best friend.

"That was fun to show that side of Alice because we've never really seen her frustrated, torn and have this inner battle of what she should do. She either has to support her sister-in-law or tell her that she's crazy for allowing herself to deteriorate in front of everyone's eyes," Greene said. "Plus you see Alice form an alliance with unlikely people. There's a lot more going on with her than in any of the previous 'Twilight' films."

Everyone's Best Friend
While the characters of Edward, Bella and Jacob have always been the primary focus of author Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" book series, the films have yielded some unexpected results as Alice has become a big fan favorite. The character's popularity is fine with Greene, who admits she was a big fan of Alice dating back to the books.

"This whole franchise has been full of surprises -- and fun surprises," Greene said. "I always loved Alice, even before I had seen the script or was cast in the role, because she was always this perky ray of sunshine and a little sassy sometimes. I understand how fans relate to her because she essentially is that best friend that everybody wants."

With the end of the "Twilight" film in sight, Greene is finding herself racked by mixed emotions. For all intents and purposes, Greene is done with the film series since the first and second half of "Breaking Dawn" filmed back-to-back, yet she knows she'll at least to get to gather with her cast mates a few more times about a year from now when she does press before "Breaking Dawn -- Part 2" hits theaters.

So in a way, Greene lamented, the last day of filming wasn't really a goodbye, but a pre-mourning period nonetheless.

"The last day on the set is something that's hard to describe. Definitely it was emotional, and I had no way to prepare for that. You know the end is coming but you can't ignore it," Greene said. "On one hand, you think, 'I've been shooting for seven months and now I can sleep,' but then I was like, 'Oh, wait, we're not coming back to this and I've shelved the character for good. That's tough because Alice has essentially become a piece of my life and my world."

Distributed by Internet Broadcasting. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Jackson Brothers Sue Over 'Thriller' Jacket Deal

9:08 AM |
LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Three of Michael Jackson's brothers claim in a lawsuit filed this week that they've been "duped" by a company selling replicas of jackets worn by the pop icon.

The endorsement deal was the first involving Michael Jackson's oldest son, Prince, who posed for pictures with his uncles as they autographed the limited-edition jackets.

The "Thriller" and "Beat It" jackets went on sale online last week, but Jackie, Tito and Marlon Jackson filed a lawsuit Tuesday alleging the marketer bounced a check to them for travel expenses.

Steeve Bohbot, owner of Connected Internationals Sales, also failed to pay each of the three brothers the $100,000 each for signing the 1,000 leather jackets, the suit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court Tuesday, contends.

"Plaintiffs, tired of chasing Bohbot for the moneys, have no choice but to seek redress from the courts," it said.

The suit alleges that Bohbot told the Jackson's that the delayed payment was caused by a problem with the jackets' delivery to Amazon.com, but it was not true.

The brothers believe the company is insolvent and has not paid other creditors, including Michael Jackson's estate, which authorized the sale, the suit said.

Bohbot did not respond to CNN calls for comment.

The Jackson brothers, who recently reunited onstage for a series of concerts, gathered at West Hollywood's Bar Marmont on October 29 to sign the jackets. Prince Jackson, who has previously stayed away from commercial endorsements, joined them at the event, but he did not autograph the jackets.

Prince Jackson is not involved in the lawsuit since he was not part of the marketing agreement. It was not disclosed how much he was to be paid to attend and pose with the jackets.

Connected International Sales "duped plaintiffs into a scheme to sign 1,000 collectors' jackets," the suit said.

Michael Jackson debuted the red "Beat It" and red and black "Thriller" jackets, designed by Marc Laurent, in 1983. The Jackson brothers signed 500 of each jacket, which are still on sale for $2,350.
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Chris Tucker And Ice Cube For Another Friday?

9:00 AM |

There is going to be another sequel to the cult comedy, Friday, which starred Ice Cube and a young Chris Tucker, reports TMZ.

There was thought to be some bad blood between Tucker and Mr. Cube after the former refused to return to do a sequel when the first film was a surprise hit. The two Chris Tucker-less sequels that followed were both solid hits theatrically anyway, while Tucker headlined three Rush Hour movies, then disappeared for a few years only to be recently announced to be part of the ensemble cast of Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. The story comes from the original films Deebo, Tommy Lister who said, "There's a lot of conversation, that's hopefully going down next week with Ice Cube and Chris Tucker about doing one more Friday. This is going to be the big one. We talked on the phone a couple of weeks ago, and I'm going on Chris' private jet to do something in St. Louis, where I chase Chris on the stage." He has a private jet!? What? I'm assuming that's leased.

Tucker and Chris Rock used to get mixed up a lot until folk realised Chris Rock was the talented one.
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