Other Topics : Art Culture - Fashion - Tourism

Latest & Hot Hollywood Film News : * hourly updation

Back to Hollywood Current News Section

 
Rock won't host Oscars
Indo-Asian News Service

Los Angeles, Dec 11 (IANS) Comedian Chris Rock has officially bowed out of the race to host the Oscars ceremony next year.

According to hollywood.com, after months of speculation, Rock's publicist said that he is not hosting the Academy Awards. 

"Rock doesn't want to do the show in perpetuity but would like to do it again down the road," the publicist said.

A spokesperson of the academy said an announcement on the choice for a new host will be made in a few weeks.
 

U2 honoured by Amnesty
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 11 (IANS) Irish rock superstars U2 has been honoured with Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award.

According to contactmusic.com, Amnesty said U2 has heightened awareness of debt and trade injustice and they inspired the world to pay attention to the needy. 

"U2 has arguably done more than any band to highlight the cause of global human rights. They have inspired and empowered millions," Amnesty boss Irene Khan was quoted as saying. 

Anderson targets KFC restaurants
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Dec 11 (IANS) Actress and animal rights activist Pamela Anderson has hit out at Britain's KFC restaurants for slaughtering chickens.

She has sent a hard-hitting film of suffering chickens to 535 KFC restaurants across the country.

According to contactmusic.com, Anderson asked the KFC bosses to watch the disturbing documentary produced by People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and take a more ethical approach.

"You can help make positive changes for chickens," she was quoted as saying.


Brosnan's seal of approval for new Bond
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 11 (IANS) Pierce Brosnan has finally given James Bond successor Daniel Craig his seal of approval and urged Bond movie makers to make the next movie the best of the long-running franchise.

Despite his bitterness at being dropped as the superspy, Brosnan wishes Daniel well and is convinced the screen hunk can bring true grit to the part, reports contactmusic.com.

He also wants moviemakers to make "Casino Royale" darker than previous Bond films - the way they were written by Ian Fleming.

Brosnan says: "It's there on the page. The martinis, the drugs, the cigarettes, the casino, the blood on the hands. But they never went there.

"Hopefully they will go there with Daniel. They have the product, they have the man, and I'm sure they will," he was quoted as saying.



Lopez, Anthony evacuated from set
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Dec 11 (IANS) Hollywood glamour couple Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were forced to evacuate from the set of their new movie "El Cantante" after a fire broke out.

According to Hollywood.com, the couple was filming the biopic of Hector Lavoe when they were removed for a while after an electrical fire erupted underground beneath Lopez's trailer. 

Filming was not disturbed and took place elsewhere. Firefighters managed to contain the fire underground.


Clooney's new movie urges US to reduce oil use
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 11 (IANS) George Clooney's new movie "Syriana" is being used by environmentalists to urge the US to reduce the use of oil.

According to contactmusic.com, the movie only touches on the ethical effects of the oil crisis, choosing instead to focus on issues like political assassinations and Islamic fundamentalism.

But the film is definitely helping out green in their campaign. 

A spokesperson for the Natural Resources Defence Council says: "A lot of liberal coalitions and individuals will look at these people and say, 'We don't like these guys.' But the lines on the political map are being redrawn."


Jackson threatens action against drug lies
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 11 (IANS) Pop superstar Michael Jackson has lashed out at claims that he is getting into drink and drugs and has warned people spreading rumours to be prepared for legal battles.

According to contactmusic.com, Jackson's publicist responded angrily to allegations that Jackson had been on whiskey and painkiller binge. He insists that he is healthier than ever. 

Publicist Bain said: "He is doing fine and I have never seen him happier or healthier. Whoever these individuals are who are intent on disseminating false information should begin hiring good attorneys."

Groundbreaking comedian Richard Pryor is dead
Indo-Asian News Service

Washington, Dec 11 (DPA) Richard Pryor, a groundbreaking US stand-up comic and actor who built his frenzied performances around street talk on sex, race relations and the drug culture, has died at age 65, his wife said.

Pryor died Saturday of a heart attack, Jennifer Lee Pryor said on CNN. He had suffered since 1986 from multiple sclerosis, an incurable body wasting disease, and previously had two heart attacks.

Giving up Las Vegas for a more outrageous brand of comedy, Pryor became a star in the 1970s and early 1980s, inspiring other black performers such as actor and comedian Eddie Murphy and film director Spike Lee.

"Richard was a giant, he was an innovator," Lee said on CNN. "The way he used social commentary in his humour opened up the universe for other comics to follow in his footsteps."

Pryor's appetite for women and cocaine was legend. In 1980, he was rushed to a Los Angeles area emergency ward with burns over half of his body. It was first reported as an accident while heating and inhaling cocaine, but Pryor later said he deliberately set himself on fire in a suicide attempt.

Best-known for his expletive-filled comedy, Pryor had his own TV show in the 1970s and acted in some 40 films, including the role of jazz singer Billie Holiday's drug-addicted pianist in 1972's Oscar-nominated "Lady Sings the Blues".

Others included "Blazing Saddles", "Bustin' Loose", and 1986's autobiographical "Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling".

Pryor was born Dec 1, 1940 in a poor part of Peoria, Illinois. His grandparents ran a billiard hall and a brothel, and his mother reportedly worked as a prostitute.

Despite his wasting disease, Pryor remained in good spirits until the end, celebrating his 65th birthday Dec 1, his widow said.

"The last two weeks were happy for him because he had his birthday," said Jennifer Lee Pryor, her voice breaking up.

In 1998, the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington awarded Pryor a humour prize named after famed US author and satirist Mark Twain. It produced a typical Pryor quip.

"It is nice to be regarded on par with a great white man - now that's funny!" he said in a statement accepting the prize. But then he turned serious, saying he was proud that "like Mark Twain, I have been able to use humour to lessen people's hatred"