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Spanish actress threatens to sue Victoria Beckham
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 18 (IANS) A Spanish actress is threatening to sue Victoria Beckham, after she reportedly slammed her.

According to contactmusic.com, Victoria hit out after rumours that 50-year-old Ana Obregon was eyeing her husband David Beckham who plays for Real Madrid.

Victoria reportedly confronted Obregon after they bumped into each other at a gym. Obregon has been linked to a number of younger men.

Obregon's lawyer says: "The altercation initiated by Victoria Beckham is absolutely unjustified, absurd and disproportionate."

  
Teri Hatcher wins libel damages
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Dec 18 (IANS) The "Desperate Housewives" star Teri Hatcher has accepted libel damages from a British tabloid that twice claimed that she had sex regularly with men in a van outside her home.

According to pagesix.com, Hatcher's lawyer Simon Smith said that the paper The Daily Sport agreed to pay "very substantial damages" and legal costs to print a front-page apology not to repeat the allegations. The Daily Sport rep said that the paper acknowledged that the stories were false.

Hatcher issued a statement saying she had "tolerated many ridiculous and fabricated lies and gossip in the tabloids" as something that "just comes with the territory of fame." 

She added: "But when a story appeared about me insinuating that I am an irresponsible and neglectful parent, I had to draw the line."


Ivory says stress ulcers killed Ismail Merchant
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 18 (IANS) Director James Ivory partly blames the German investors in his new movie "The White Countess" for the death of his long-time professional partner Ismail Merchant.

Ivory is convinced that if the film making process had been less stressful his friend would still be alive today, contactmusic.com reported.

He claims that Merchant was prone to ulcers when his stress level peaked and that was what ultimately killed him. Merchant died in May this year.

He said: "The German investors just wouldn't sign the papers and give the money for the film. Eventually, and strangely, they gave the money without even signing the papers. 

"It was a horrible strain on Ismail, that's for sure and then he broke his ankle. Then he had a bleeding ulcer, which he'd suffered from before. 

"He had one on the set of 'Le Divorce' and he had one on 'Jefferson In Paris'. On both those occasions we'd be in Paris and the French doctors had this way with that and he got well right away. 

"In England the doctors didn't have a way with ulcers, or it was worse than they suspected, or in a very bad place to get at. No one really knows what happened."
 

Johansson bruised after shooting love scene
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 18 (IANS) Actress Scarlett Johansson says she was left battered and bruised after a love scene shot in freezing cold rainwater with co-star Jonathan Rhys-Meyers for Woody Allen's new movie "Match Point".

According to contactmusic.com, the pair play passionate lovers but Rhys-Meyers was forced to send Johansson flowers after the outdoor scene got a little out of hand. 

She says, "I was pelted with this freezing cold rainwater and I have a slight weed allergy. So it was just miserable. I had a swollen eye for a couple of days. Jonathan bit my lip and bust it open. But he sent me flowers the next day because he felt bad. It damned hurt though, so I deserved my flowers."

 
Maclaine slams intrusive media
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 17 (IANS) Veteran actress Shirley Maclaine has come to the defence of his co-stars Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston saying invasive journalists should be jailed.

Maclaine has recently worked with both the leading actresses and she admits that she is upset at what they have to put up with the media, according to contactmusic.com. 

The actress says: "They belong in the slammer... They pay these guys so much money that they really can put microphones under beds and tables - to spy on us. Then they get a story that's got an ounce of truth in it, and Time magazine sits up and Newsweek and the rest of them and, before you know it, they are in the psychology of `You know, they might have something there'. 

"I never went through what these kids are going through. People magazine hadn't been invented, nor US nor OK nor Star nor the Globe. It was only Confidential."

She adds: "People who were having illicit affairs but wanted to be written about would go to a table where they knew there was a microphone and it would get reported. But what Jennifer has to go through every morning or Cameron Diaz or Nicole (Kidman), these wonderful women I have worked with, half their day is spent trying to escape these mothers."
  

Freeman slams 'Black History Month'
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 18 (IANS) Oscar winning actor Morgan Freeman has slammed the decision to dedicate a month for black history.

According to contactmusic.com, he claims that 'Black History Month' held each year in February is a "ridiculous" concept. 

He says: "You're going to relegate my history to a month? I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history." 

He also pointed out that there was no "White History Month" and that the only way to eliminate racism is to "stop talking about it."

He adds: "I am going to stop calling you a white man and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man."

Zellweger denies meeting ex-hubby
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Dec 18 (IANS) Actress Rene Zellweger says she has not gone back to her ex-husband Kenny Chesney despite a magazine report that the two had met over dinner twice.

According to pagesix.com, In Touch magazine had claimed that Chesney and Zellweger enjoyed two romantic dinners at restaurants. 

Zellweger's representative says that it was not possible the two met for a meal.

She said, "She and Kenny are not getting back together and they are not dating."

Eastwood, Tarantino together for Boetticher documentary
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 18 (IANS) Oscar winning director Clint Eastwood and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino have shared screen time to pay tribute to Budd Boetticher in a new documentary about the 1950s B-movie western director.

According to contactmusic.com, the two discovered a joint interest in the icon and were happy to come together for the upcoming special "Budd Boetticher: A Man Can DO That". 

But Eastwood admits that it was tough talking with Tarantino.

He says: "The producers had me there to get Quentin started, and believe me, it doesn't take much. Quentin's interesting - he's followed lots of directors he never knew."

In the documentary Tarantino admits that that Michael Madsen's character Bud in "Kill Bill" was a homage to Boetticher.

 
Sick Aniston pulls out of Jay Leno show
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 18 (IANS) Former "Friends" star Jennifer Aniston has cancelled her appearance on "The Tonight Show" after she was hit by a severe cold.

According to contactmusic.com, Aniston started losing her voice at the premiere of her new movie "Rumour Has It" and had to phone in sick to the show's host Jay Leno and cancel her appearance after losing her voice altogether. 

She was replaced by "Scrubs" star Zach Braff and Leno decided not to waste the personal question he had planned for Aniston.

Asked about his romance with Vince Vaughn -Aniston's boyfriend - Braff replied: "I'm in love. I don't like to talk about my private life but things are going well." 

"I really prefer doing interviews as Jennifer Aniston," Braff added.

 
Britney planning a comeback
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 17 (IANS) Pop singer Britney Spears is planning a come back and has employed Madonna's writers and producers to reinvent her singing career.

Writers Bloodshy and Avant and writer-producer Peer Anstrom have been asked to work with Spears, reported ananova.com. 

They had earlier impressed Spears with their work on Madonna's comeback album "Confessions on a dancefloor."

Spears supposedly wants her next song to be a "cross between Madonna and Kylie with an electronic edge."

 
Johansson has complex for being too short
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 17 (IANS) Actress Scarlett Johansson says she has a complex for being too short after people began making comments about her height.

The actress said: "One time I was in a ladies room in the stall and two women were talking at the sink. One said, 'Is that Scarlett Johansson? Oh my God, she's so short.' 

"I began to get a complex. Because I was also in a restaurant in New York and a waiter said how short I was. I told him, 'Good things come in small packages'."

 
Zellweger, Chesney dating even after divorce
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Dec 17 (IANS) Actress Rene Zellweger and singer Kenny Chesney are adding more mystery to their shock marriage split as they meet for secret romantic dates in New York City and Connecticut.

According to the Internet Movie Database, the couple has been spotted by waitresses enjoying each other's company at restaurants that are not very famous. The two look like they are still together. 

The couple had split after just 128 days of marriage and Zellweger had cited fraud among the mysterious reasons why they divorced.

One waitress at a diner where the pair met up said: "They just kept looking at each other... They were cuddling during their meal." 

Their friends say that this is a sure sign that they are planning to dismiss the divorce and reconcile

 
Former Beatles, relatives take music company to court
DPA

London, Dec 17 (DPA) The surviving members of The Beatles and relatives of the late band members, John Lennon and George Harrison, have issued legal proceedings against record company EMI for the recovery of over 30 million pounds ($51 million) in unpaid royalties.

Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and relatives of John Lennon and George Harrison have taken their battle to the High Court in London, and simultaneously to the Supreme Court in New York, they announced Friday.

They alleged that Britain's EMI Group owes more than 30 million pounds in record royalties to their company, Apple Corps Ltd.

The deficit was allegedly uncovered during an audit of Apple Corp's accounts.

Apple Corps chief Neil Aspinall said: "We have tried to reach a settlement through good faith negotiations and regret that our efforts have been in vain."

"Despite very clear provisions in our contracts, EMI persist in ignoring their obligations and duty to account fairly and with transparency," he added.

Indo-Asian News Service

 
'Narnia' roars into US box office
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Dec 17 (IANS) Walt Disney Pictures' new film "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe" has hit the bull's eye at the box office. 

According to Buena Vista International, it has warmed up to a dazzling $67.1 million from 3,616 screens and has generated nearly 60 percent of the entire marketplace in the week since its release. 

Delivering the third biggest opening of the year, the film stands as the third best in Disney's studio history after $70.5 million of "The Incredibles" and $70.3 million of "Finding Nemo".

Only New Line Cinema's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King", the final film in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy based on the series written by J.R.R. Tolkien, grossed higher revenues ($72.6 million).

"Narnia" opened in 14 international markets, generating an estimated $41 million. Audience responses across all markets, especially in both the US and Britain were spectacular, stated a press release. 

The fantasy-adventure based on the first book by C.S. Lewis is directed by Andrew Adamson. 

Sony Pictures will release the film across India on Jan 27, 2006. 
 
Release of Cage's movie delayed
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 16 (IANS) Oscar winning actor Nicolas Cage's new movie "Ghost Rider" will have to wait one more year for its release. 

According to contactmusic.com, the movie was scheduled for a summer release but bosses at Sony have decided to shift the date to Feb 16, 2007. 

In 2006, Sony will be busy with movies like "Da Vinci Code" and they wanted to reduce the pressure on the company's marketing department. 

Says a top Sony official: "I think everybody is looking at their release schedule in 2006 and trying to avoid some of the traffic jams. Seven films for a summer are a lot."

Hilton and Stewart top PETA's worst dressed list
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 16 (IANS) Socialites Paris Hilton and Kimberly Stewart have topped a new People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) yearend Worst Dressed poll.

According to contactmusic.com, they were among the five worst fashion offenders due to their "tacky affinity for fur". 

PETA poked fun at Hilton saying: "Now we know what happens to all of Paris Hilton's cast-off pets." 

Speaking of Stewart, the organisation said: "What does Kimberly Stewart have in common with the remains of the animals who were killed for her furs? They're both spoiled rotten." 

They added: "Kimberly and her best bud, Paris, are so clueless about animals that they should team up for a new reality show: The Simpletons." 

The list is rounded off by Lisa Gastineau and Victoria Gotti and actress Tara Reid.


Brosnan bonds with Craig
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 16 (IANS) Former Bond star Pierce Brosnan offered words of encouragement to the new James Bond, Daniel Craig, days before the announcement was made.

According to contactmusic.com, Brosnan enjoyed bonding with Craig despite being bitter at being dropped. They both had a few drinks together and he advised him on how to play Bond.

Brosnan says: "I know the guy. We've gone out and we talked about it before the whole world knew about it. We had many beers over it and laughed and I wished him well. I just told him to have a good time with it, embrace it, enjoy it and travel through with his head high."

Longoria grateful for nomination
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Dec 16 (IANS) "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria has thanked fans for their support after she finally got a Golden Globe nomination.

According to hollywood.com, she had made news last year when she was the only leading star to not get a nomination. She admits that when she heard the news she almost fell out of bed.

She says: "It was my sister (who told me). She goes, 'You got nominated!' I said, 'No I didn't', and she said, 'Yeah, you did!' 

"I didn't think I did because it wasn't my publicist or my manager (telling me) and I was like, 'No, somebody would have called by now if I had gotten nominated." 

She adds: "It's nice to be the underdog. Everybody was rooting for me to get nominated. And just that made me cry when I heard in the press room that everybody cheered when they said my name."

Madonna's daughter criticises her dress sense
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 16 (IANS) Madonna's nine-year-old daughter Lourdes sometimes gets embarrassed by what her mother wears.

Ananova.com quotes Madonna as saying, "My daughter is critical. Sometimes she totally disapproves of what I wear. She doesn't want me to look too strange. If I pick her up from school she instructs me to dress normally. She goes: 'No tracksuits please'. My daughter has a new routine too... she goes: 'Why can't you just be like normal mothers'?"

But Madonna's five-year-old son seems to be more supportive and approves of her dress sense. She says, "He tells me I look beautiful no matter what."

Aniston eager to rediscover her Greek roots
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 16 (IANS) Jennifer Aniston wants to take some time out from movies and rediscover her Greek roots.

According to ananova.com, Aniston, whose family's real name is Anastassakis, wants to return to Crete where her father John was born. 

She says: "One sure thing is that I'm going to take some time off, travel. I want to go to Greece and some other countries. I lived there for a year when I was five and six. We lived in Athens for six months then we lived in Crete. My family has a beautiful farm. I've only gone back there once."

She seems to be very eager to get away from the intense security of Los Angeles. 

She says: "It would be a refreshing thing to be out of this little bubble."

White Stripes faces colour crisis
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 16 (IANS) White Stripes have slammed other bands like Green Day and My Chemical Romance for stealing their colour combination.

According to contactmusic.com, front man Jack White and drummer Meg White always dress in red, white and black and use the colours for their album and single covers.

Jack says: "Recently so many bands have adopted the red, white and black colour scheme that it's harder for us to stand out. Green Day, My Chemical Romance, there's plenty of them there."