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Washington believes racism is still rampant
Indo-Asian News Service

London, April 1 (IANS) Oscar wining actor Denzel Washington says future generations will have to deal with racism because youth are still being taught colour prejudice.

Washington dreams of a racism-free world but believes that a new generation of racists are being raised, contactmusic.com reported.

He jokingly said: "(Racism's) all gone. There is none anywhere in the world ever. It is nowhere. It is all gone! Gone forever!" He adds seriously, "No, but listen. There's racism in Hollywood Boulevard and Madison Avenue. People are taught to hate and they learn it well."

Craig learns new stunt for Bond film
Indo-Asian News Service

London, April 1 (IANS) New Bond actor Daniel Craig is learning to jump buildings to add to his acting credentials. 

Craig is learning from stunt expert Sebastien Foucan who plays his nemesis Mollaka, reports contactmusic.com. 

Carig is learning the art of parkour where people use buildings and stairs as workout tools. 

A source says, "Daniel and Seb have become good pals while filming. Daniel decided to take up parkour because it was perfect for one of their fight scenes. Seb gives him personal tuition and Daniel has taken to it incredibly well."

Pink reveals her soft nature
Indo-Asian News Service

London, April 1 (IANS) Singer Pink recently revealed her soft side, like rescuing dogs and visiting sick children in hospital, but says people would not be interested in her "boring" side. 

She said in an interview: "There are things I do that are far too boring, that people just wouldn't find interesting, stuff that doesn't make the papers. I rescue dogs, I bake cup cakes, I plant things in my gardens, I visit sick kids in hospital - but that's boring for most people," contactmusic.com reported. 

She said that her all time favourite song is "Imagine" by John Lennon. 

"This song just encompasses everything. Musically it's beautiful and I love John Lennon and everything he and the Beatles stood for. It's how we want the world to be. I wanted to grow up in a world like the one he described."

'Basic Instinct 2' raises controversy
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, April 1 (IANS) Feminists are against the new Sharon Stone movie "Basic Instinct 2" not because of its depiction of violent sex but because Stone's character likes it rough. 

In the movie Stone's character smiles even after nearly being drowned by David Morrisey's character in a hot tub, pagesix.com reported. 

The group The Women Against Domestic Violence have already protested against actor Keanu Reeves comments saying that he learned something during filming a rape scene with Hilary Swank for "The Gift". He said, "that some of the ladies don't mind it . . . Hah, that's awful to say." 

The group's spokesperson said that the remark made her ill and she added, "Why doesn't someone educate that man? Women do not want that, nor do they like it."

'Simpsons' show desperate to get Kidman as guest
Indo-Asian News Service

London, April 1 (IANS) The producers of the hit TV show "The Simpsons" are still trying to get Oscar winning actress Nicole Kidman to make a guest appearance on the show.

According to contactmusic.com, Kidman has failed to respond to invitations. 

The executive producer of the show, Al Jean, says, "We approached Nicole when we were looking for a celebrity couple when she was married to Tom Cruise. Some way, sooner or later, we should be able to get her, though."

Cruise and Nicole have since gone their separate ways after more than 10 years of marriage. 

'Brokeback Mountain' banned in Bahamas
Indo-Asian News Service

London, April 1 (IANS) The Bahamas government has banned "Brokeback Mountain" from being shown in the country, sparking off protests by gay activists, libertarians, and other theatre owners. 

The liaison officer for the Plays and Films Control Board said, "The board chose to ban it because it shows extreme homosexuality, nudity and profanity, and we feel that it has no value for the Bahamian public," contactmusic.com reported. 

A theatre owner Philip Burrows said, "You have a group of people who are telling grown men and women what they can and cannot watch. I cannot understand denying people the right to make their own choices."

Tyson denied Shanghai citizenship
Indo-Asian News Service

London, April 1 (IANS) Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson had his honorary citizenship withdrawn by authorities in Shanghai after being investigated for his murky past.

According to contactmusic.com, Tyson was due to receive his citizenship during a three-day visit there. But when his past was being investigated, which included a jail term for rape in the 1990s, the local government chiefs changed their minds. 

The Luo Dian district vice chief says, "We didn't think it was appropriate to make Tyson an honorary citizen so we dropped the plan. Many people said (the honorary citizenship) would be inappropriate. For one thing it will be the first time Tyson has even visited our town... he has also been involved in too many legal and sporting scandals."

But Tyson still received a warm welcome from his fans. Wang Lianfang, the coach of the city's women's boxing team, said: "He is a king boxer. He is tough and brave, aggressive and indomitable."
 

Michael Jackson shares dinner with Bahraini family
DPA

Dubai, March 27 (DPA) An offer by Michael Jackson to buy a Bahraini businessman's house ended up with the "King of Pop" sharing dinner with his family and making new friends, but not buying the prized property, sources in Bahrain told local media.

"Michael was being chauffeured in the Saar area in Manama when he spotted a house he liked. He did not hesitate to call on the family and ask them if they were willing to sell their house," the source told Dubai-based Gulf News.

"The family, astonished by the unexpected appearance of the superstar and amused by the offer, told him the house was not for sale, but that he was welcome to share their dinner," added the source saying that Jackson's visit lasted about four hours.

Jackson, who has lived in Bahrain since June, following his acquittal on child molestation charges in California, wants to settle permanently in the kingdom. He is staying in a large villa but wants to buy a mansion, said the paper.

"He is in much better shape now and has been going out more. Last week, he visited several malls in Manama," the sources said.

The 47-year-old star watched the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 12 from the VIP tower and was quoted as saying that he liked the race, the first he has ever seen live in his life.

His sister La Toya said Saturday "he is doing really well and he is happy with where he is."

She also confirmed he did not intend to return to his fantasy Californian estate Neverland.

--DPA
 
Indo-Asian News Service
 

Lee, Washington dismiss Oscar
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 27 (IANS) "Malcolm X" director Spike Lee and actor Denzel Washington are still upset they were not recognised at the 1992 Academy Awards.

According to contactmusic.com, Washington eventually lost the Best Actor award to Al Pacino for his portrayal in "Scent Of A Woman". And Lee was completely ignored. 

In an interview discussion, Washington asks Lee: "How important is receiving awards?" Lee says, 'Y'know, I hate to bring up 'Malcolm X' again but... That was a big lesson for me. That you really can't give power to a group of people the Academy and the Grammy, whoever it is, to validate your work. You can't do that'. And also - which I tell a lot of my students - you can't go into a project with the goal to win an award." 

Washington responds: "Yeah, forget that. I have never done that. I don't care about that, really I don't. Maybe it meant more to me earlier in my career but...y'know, it's like my mother said: 'Man gives the award, God gives the reward.' That's my motto. Oscar is like 15 pounds and I don't care if I get one."

Male actor hampering 'Friends' reunion: Kudrow
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 27 (IANS) Former "Friends" star Lisa Kudrow has said the TV series was about to have a reunion show when one male cast member refused the salary.

According to contactmusic.com, rumours of an expensive reunion show started when actress Kathleen Turner, who played the transvestite father of Matthew Perry's character, Chandler, revealed she was notified about it.

The bosses at the TV channel denied the rumours. But now Kudrow has confirmed that there were plans for more shows. She also added that a male cast member was impeding the process. 

She says: "There is an opportunity for the rest of us to do a reunion show but one member has said no. It's one of the guys. I'm gutted."
 

Knighthood helps Kingsley visit troubled spots
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 27 (IANS) Actor Sir Ben Kingsley is using his knighthood to visit some of the world's troubled spots like Palestine and Afghanistan.

According to contactmusic.com, Kingsley realised that the best he could do was just cut through the bureaucracy and draw attention to some of the unfortunate people of the world. 

He says: "It's like becoming an ambassador and I have been able to use my good fortune with some skill because the knighthood has allowed me to be an ambassador for Save The Children and Relief International. 

"In the last 18 months, my knighthood took me to the Palestine refugee camps to screen the Palestinian dubbed version of 'Gandhi'. It took me to Afghanistan with Save The Children...

"I went to Pakistan after the earthquake to the earthquake zone, where I was with Prime Minister (Shaukat) Aziz. It's payback time and, if I am given that title, then I am privileged to be with these extraordinary people in Pakistan, Palestine and Afghanistan. And to see with my own eyes, in Afghanistan, where you're told it's full of people who want to kill you, whereas in fact they're actually saying, 'Thank God you turned up... Thanks for all you are doing here.' 
 

Wilson suffered during torture scenes
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 27 (IANS) Patrick Wilson suffered so much during torture scenes in the controversial film "Hard Candy" that he even fainted while trying to pull a heavy table across a kitchen.

According to contactmusic.com, Wilson plays a pervert who befriends a 14-year-old girl in the movie through the Internet. He arranges a meeting at his house but the girl runs away and he has more problems than he expected. He says he took the torture scenes too far at times. 

He says: "I just said, 'Tie me down and put the phone over there and let me see if I can move the table to get to the phone.' That table was about 600 or 700 pounds! I wasn't going to be a chicken about what the physical demands were. 

"I didn't spend time on how to rig the ropes so they wouldn't hurt me. I didn't make the table lighter or ask them to oil the wheels so I could move it. You see, my hands turn blue, which I didn't even know was happening. 

"I remember blacking out a couple of times. There was a real freedom in knowing that the role would take its toll on me emotionally and physically but tomorrow it's over."

Police called to calm down Liu, Hartnett
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 27 (IANS) Actress Lucy Liu was shocked when police were called in to calm her down along with "Lucky Number Seven" co-star Josh Hartnett who were partying together.

According to contactmusic.com, Liu rarely parties when she is working but decided to have fun that night and thought it would be harmless. 

She said: "We all went out to a tiny bar. They had a DJ there and I had a great time, but I had to work the next day. I never go out when I am working but they said, 'Come on one time'.

"I thought, 'I'll just come by for 10 minutes,' and that was when we were dancing on the tables and the Montreal police came. We were disrupting the peace. To my knowledge nobody got arrested."
 
Richardson hated husband watching her love scenes
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 27 (IANS) Actress Natasha Richardson was embarrassed when her husband Liam Neeson watched her explicit love scenes in the movie "Asylum".

According to contactmusic.com, Richardson, who plays a sexually repressed doctor's wife in the film, admitted that the controversial role is the highlight of her career. 

She says: "I was so embarrassed when Liam finally saw the film because the sex is so raw. But Stella is the part I am most proud of. She is not that dissimilar to Sophia in 'The White Countess'. They are both profoundly sad characters."

Jennifer Lopez to perform in Mumbai
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, March 27 (IANS) Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez will perform for the first time in India when she plays a concert in Mumabi April 23 to promote her latest album.

The Latin beauty is currently touring the world to promote her album "Rebirth" besides doing other projects, including charity work. For the first time, she has added India and the Middle East to her tour itinerary.

Sheeraz Hasan, the founder of the www.hollywood.tv portal, confirmed Lopez's trip to India after speaking to the star's management.

"She is definitely performing in Mumbai this time. Like I had always said, Hollywood is looking up to India and Bollywood in a very big way," Hasan said.

Though Lopez's previous planned visits to India never materialised, she had promised her fans she would make it up. Her website too marks April 23 as the date for her live gig in Mumbai.

She may also travel to other parts of India during her visit.

Penelope Cruz gets artificial curves
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 25 (IANS) Spanish actress Penelope Cruz had to wear a false bottom for her new role because film chiefs decided she lacked curves.

They told the 31-year-old "Vanilla Sky" star that she needed a bigger behind to play a Sophia Loren-style housewife in "Returning", ananova.com reported.

Penelope was fitted with custom-built bottom prosthesis for the movie.

A film spokesman said: "Penelope's role demanded voluptuousness. She needed more curves down below, so we decided to fit her with a false bottom."

The actress reportedly liked her new bum so much that she begged the bosses to let her keep it.
 

Pink reveals her drug past
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 25 (IANS) Pop singer Pink has revealed that she used to be a heroin user.

Pink started using drugs at the age of 13 after her parents divorced. She finally stopped in 1995, reported ananova.com. 

"Heroin is a horrible thing. I have seen first hand what it can do to people and it is not pretty. I was never that much into it to need treatment," Pink said.

"But if you are talking about drugs - you name it, I took it. I buried three friends from heroin overdoses."

She also had some advice for singer and known drug user Pete Doherty. She said: "It sounds like it is his way to be rock and roll. That is sad.

"It is not a good place to be but I do understand it. I hope he finds what he is looking for."
 

Britney's grand party for Kevin
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 25 (IANS) Pop star Britney Spears celebrated her husband Kevin Federline's 28th birthday in grand style, blowing up £60,000 to make sure that nothing went wrong.

It was not a simple, one-night celebration. The bash went on for a whole week, reported ananova.com. Britney hired a private jet to take Kevin and 15 friends to Las Vegas.

The couple also enjoyed the Venetian Hotel's £4,500-a-night penthouse suite.

To mark Kevin's new age, the 24-year-old singer serenaded her man over lobster and champers.

The whole gang then headed out for a night of clubbing. A fellow clubber at Caesar's Palace Casino said: "Britney and Kevin were all over each other."
 

Hollywood takes on Iraq as public opinion shifts
DPA

Los Angeles, March 25 (DPA) With support for George W Bush's war in Iraq at an all time low, some of the biggest names in Hollywood are working on movies that are likely to increase the criticism even further.

In February, three of Hollywood's most respected directors announced projects that are directly based on experiences of US personnel in Iraq.

And Ron Howard, the Oscar-winning director of "A Beautiful Mind", "Cinderella Man", "Apollo 13" and "The Da Vinci Code", announced this week that he is all set to direct "Last Man Home". 

Set in the days just before the start of full-scale war in 2003, the movie will tell the story of a covert US military unit sent in to find a soldier, who himself embarked on a search for his brother who went missing while fighting in the first Gulf War.

Paul Haggis, whose movie "Crash" recently won the Oscar for the best film, is planning a movie based on the memoir, "Against All Enemies". 

The book by former anti-terrorism czar Richard Clarke chronicles how the obsession of Bush and other government leaders with invading Iraq led them to ignore warnings of Al Qaeda terror attacks prior to Sep 11, 2001.

Oscar-winning director Sir Ridley Scott is another famous name set to make a movie about the Middle East imbroglio. 

The 68-year-old director of "Gladiator" and cult sci-fi movie "Blade Runner" will direct an adaptation of the thriller "Penetration", which tells the story of a CIA spy sent to Jordan to find a terror group's boss.

Meanwhile Kimberley Pierce, who directed Oscar-winner Hillary Swank in the movie "Boys Don't Cry", is ready to start shooting "Stop Loss", about a Texas soldier who refuses to return to Iraq and fight, while Irwin Winkler, the veteran producer of movies like "Raging Bull" and "Rocky", is developing a project called "Home of the Brave" which will feature Samuel L Jackson as a soldier who struggles to readjust to life in America after an extended tour of duty in Iraq.

The US entertainment industry is also turning its attention to the 9/11 attacks and other terror scenarios. 

Director Oliver Stone is set to release a movie called "World Trade Centre", starring Nicolas Cage as a policeman trapped in the rubble of the twin towers.

Robert Thompson, a professor of popular culture at Syracuse University, says this willingness of Hollywood to make movies about an ongoing war is unprecedented.

"During the Vietnam war there was only one major Hollywood release - John Wayne in 'The Green Berets'" he remarks. 

Thompson says that it is no coincidence that this wave of movies is coming out as public opinion has turned decidedly against the war. Until recently the mass media was scared to address the war for fear of being labelled unpatriotic.

Given Hollywood's famous liberal stance, there is little expectation that any of these movies will be sympathetic to George Bush's take on the conflict. However, it is uncertain what effect these movies will have on moving public opinion further against the war.

Thompson, however, dismisses the often-used conservative argument that Hollywood is out of touch with mainstream America. He maintains the media establishment is actually much better than the politicians at getting its message across.

"In the culture war for the American heart, Hollywood is a lot better than Washington at communicating with us," he says. 

"Whether these movies are influential or not depends on the movie. If the movie tells a compelling story, it could have an enormous influence on public opinion." 

--DPA

Indo-Asian News Service

Stone appreciates Jolie's work
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 24 (IANS) Actress Sharon Stone, who actively campaigns for AIDS, admires Angelina Jolie for speaking out for good causes and says "she's no wuss". 

Contactmusic.com reported that Stone spends much of her time on humanitarian causes and admires Jolie for doing the same. "Now, that's a woman with experience. She's no wuss," Stone is reported to have said.

Both the actresses attended last year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and travelled extensively, fundraising for their charitable organisations. 

Stone adds: "She's someone walking her walk and talking her talk. You get there because you take a life of experience and apply it." 
 

Cruise re-enacts Oprah moment
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 24 (IANS) Actor Tom Cruise re-enacted his sofa-jumping escapade on the Oprah Winfrey Show on Yahoo's Influential Speakers programme. 

Cruise took to the stage in Sunnyvale, California, with Yahoo's chief executive Terry Semel and answered questions, according to contactmusic.com. He also had an impromptu arm wrestle before pointing fun at the way he expressed his love for fiancée Katie Holmes last year during the Oprah Winfrey Show. 

Cruise then brought his pregnant wife-to-be onto the stage and kissed her in front of the audience. 
 
Costner rbbishes link to lewd case
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 24 (IANS) Actor Kevin Costner rubbished reports that he is the mystery star who performed a sexual act on himself during a massage at a spa in Fife, Scotland.

Revelations were part of a British court case, in which a masseuse was suing a former employer, claiming she was fired following the incident with the unnamed superstar, according to Hollywood.com. 

The unknown actor was accused of dropping his towel and pleasuring himself in October 2004.

Costner, who spent his honeymoon at the resort with his bride Christine, was furious because his name was dragged into the case.

His representative Paul Bloch said: "We find it unfortunate that Costner's name has been brought into what is essentially a dispute between a company owned by a good friend of his and a former employee and that it would tarnish what was a wonderful time spent at this resort with his wife."
 
Will Smith to play charming rogue
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 24 (IANS) Actor Will Smith will play a charming rogue in the big screen version of 1960s TV series "It Takes a Thief" that ran for two years on television.

Smith, who is going to co-produce the film, will play the role of a charming rogue who is blackmailed by the government into staging covert robberies for the good of his country, according to hollywood.com. The TV version of the show featured Robert Wagner and ran from 1968-1970. 

The project has been in the works for over a decade and Michael Douglas was originally attached to play the lead. Smith recently signed on after a new group of writers were brought in.

Aniston's movie career derailed
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 24 (IANS) Actress Jennifer Aniston is upset with the string of flops she has endured at the box office, which include her latest film "Derailed". 

Aniston has had a run of bad luck on the big screen since she left TV, reported contactmusic.com. The actress is so disappointed with the failure of her recent release "Derailed" that she has decided she won't do any more emotionally charged thrillers. 

She said: "'Derailed'... kind of... derailed. Thrillers are tough. I am glad I did it, but I don't need to do these kinds of movies. It's kind of like caviar. I don't need to have it again." 

Shyamalan plans book to accompany new film
DPA

Los Angeles, March 23 (DPA) Indian origin director Manoj Night Shyamalan is working on a children's book to go with his upcoming movie "Lady in the Water".

The movie is based on a bedtime story Shyamalan wrote for his children and centres on an apartment building superintendent who rescues what he thinks is a woman from the pool he maintains.

When he discovers that she is actually a character from a bedtime story who is trying to make the journey back to her home, he works with his tenants to protect his new friend from the creatures that are determined to keep her in his world.

The film version of the story is scheduled to hit theatres July 21 and stars Paul Giamatti as the superintendent and Bryce Dallas Howard as the lady.

--DPA
 
Indo-Asian News Service

Sharon Osbourne tops celebrity mom poll
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 23 (IANS) Sharon Osbourne, the wife of rocker Ozzy Osbourne, has beaten Kate Moss to take the top spot in a celebrity mom poll.

According to ananova.com, Sharon's daughter Kelly was confused with the honour and said: "I can understand Kate Moss being nominated - she always puts her babies first." 

Moss, who has just one child who is three years old, was a controversial nominee in spite of her cocaine use allegations. Victoria Beckham failed to make the list for the first time in five years. 

Sharon was pleased with the distinction and said: "I am truly honoured and speechless - which is a first!" Sharon won because she fought colon cancer, helped her husband recover from a bike accident and stood by her children Jack and Kelly as they went through addictions in the past few years.

She added: "It has been a very tough few years and the British public have been so supportive of me and the family, and seen that I am a real old-fashioned British girl at heart." 

The top 10 celebrity moms of the year are: 

1. Sharon Osbourne 
2. Jordan 
3. Kate Moss 
4. Duchess of Cornwall 
5. Penny Lancaster 
6. Melanie Sykes 
7. Davina McCall 
8. Louise Redknapp
9. Tess Daly 
10.Lorraine Kelly 
 
Willis moves to the top of Trump Tower
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 23 (IANS) Action superstar Bruce Willis is living in luxury while he films his new movie "Perfect Stranger" with Halle Berry in New York.

Contactmusic.com reports that Willis has rented an apartment at the top of the Trump Tower. He is reportedly paying $55,000 a month for the apartment. 

Willis was previously staying in a suite at the Peninsula Hotel but moved to the Trump Tower so he has more space to entertain his three daughters when they come to stay with him.
 

Stefani left out in the cold
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 23 (IANS) Singer Gwen Stefani got shut out in the cold when she was unable to reach her husband Gavin Rossdale. 

According to ananova.com, she said: "I'd just come off tour and I went to take the dog out for a run. I shut the door and knew right away that I'd locked myself out of the house. I had no money, no keys, no phone - just the dog and me - and it was Paparazzi Central. Gavin had gone to play tennis and our assistant happened not to be in."

Stefani passed the time by running around with her dog and meeting fans. She added: "I met all these kids at the park who liked me and my old band - No Doubt - but I was sweaty from my run. Not a good day."

Culkin's father living in poverty
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 23 (IANS) Actor Macaulay Culkin's estranged father Kit is living in poverty and has no hope of seeing his children again. 

According to contactmusic.com, Kit's long time partner Jeanette Krylowski says the publication of Culkin's book "Junior" has opened old wounds for Kit. Kit has stayed away from his son over a decade after he lost a custody battle with his former wife Patricia Brentrup. 

Krylowski says: "Kit is not well, lives quite poorly and does not believe he will ever see any of his seven kids again. Kit walked away to stop the hate, even giving up his residual earnings. 

"Kit never had a bad thing to say about his family and it would be wonderful if such dignity was shown by them."

Vaughn and Clooney battle for coveted role
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 23 (IANS) Actors George Clooney and Vince Vaughn are in contention for the lead role in the film version of the TV series "Magnum PI".

According to ananova.com, Clooney has been in the lead for a while but a source close to the film says: "The scriptwriter is Rawson Marshall Thurber, who wrote 'Dodgeball', and there are several other guys on the Magnum movie with connections to Vince. George is still favourite but, as time goes by, Vince's name will be thrown up more and more."
 

Cruise clears stunts with Holmes
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 23 (IANS) Tom Cruise only agreed to do all of his own stunts in the upcoming movie "Mission: Impossible 3" after getting the green signal from his pregnant fiancée Katie Holmes.

According to contactmusic.com, Cruise proposed to Holmes in Paris last summer following a whirlwind romance. They are planning to tie the nuptial knot later this year after she gives birth to their first child. 

Cruise says: "She trusts me. She loves me. We show her the cut footage of my stunts and she digs it. She's fun. That's why I am marrying her."
 

Anderson goes back to school
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 22 (IANS) "Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson has gone back to school to give lunchtime help to her two children and their classmates.

Anderson helped her two sons, Brandon and Dylan, and their friends by keeping a good balance of discipline and fun, contactmusic.com reported. 

She said: "I am the lunch monitor at their school, so I go down to the playground with my clipboard and hand out pink slips if the kids are bad. And I normally put together a football game or something for them."
 
Doherty gives private performance for Tyson
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 22 (IANS) Pete Doherty, the troubled rocker and former boyfriend of supermodel Kate Moss, played a private gig for boxing champion Mike Tyson.

According to ananova.com, the two met while they were staying at the same hotel in Manchester. An insider said, "They were getting on really well, so Tyson asked Pete to play some songs for him. Pete always has an acoustic guitar with him so he played two or three Babyshambles numbers. He got a great response. Tyson loved every minute of it and gave Pete a round of applause."
 
No Stone in 'Basic Instinct 3'
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 22 (IANS) Actress Sharon Stone firmly believes that there will be a "Basic Instinct 3" though she has no intentions of starring in it. 

"Basic Instinct 2" is currently playing in theatres. However, Stone has told producers that they will have to look for another leading lady, reported contactmusic.com. 

Stone might not have intentions of starring in the next one but she thinks her co-star David Morrissey should carry on. She said: "I am hoping David will carry the flag. I will just go to the movies and watch it and say, 'Yeah, baby!' "

On a personal note, the 48-year-old Stone revealed that her ideal man has to be geek.

"The kind of guy I am looking for would want to wear Sponge Bob pyjamas and sit in the front row at the school play. Guys who think they are cool are not cool to me," she was quoted as saying by ananova.com. 

She added, "I put up 'Basic Instinct' in my projection room in LA, put up the naked scene, froze it, took off my clothes. I had my best friend come over, stood in front of it and she said, 'You look fabulous, you are ready to go.' I felt great."
 
Washington tones down his looks for role
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 22 (IANS) Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington had to tone down his good looks for his latest role in the movie "Inside Man" because he had to play a regular guy.

Washington had to shave his head and put on some weight to play a cop who has to negotiate with a criminal, reported contactmusic.com.

He says, "He is a regular guy. He is in over his head. He has been accused of stealing $140,000, his girlfriend wants to get married yesterday... This is the biggest case he has ever had, so he has got a few issues."

He added that his wife Pauletta had no problems with him letting himself go for the role. He remarks: "(She is fine) as long as I buy her something."
 

Aniston slams reality TV culture
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 22 (IANS) Former "Friends" star Jennifer Aniston has slammed reality TV for breeding a culture unnaturally obsessed with the lives of the rich and famous.

According to contactmusic.com, Aniston, whose private life has been heavily scrutinised, says the fascination with celebrity gossip is sickening. She is so fed up with it that she now refrains from watching TV. 

She says, "What happened to a great half-hour sitcom? It's all 'Dancing with the Stars!', 'Knitting with the Stars!', 'Building a home with the Stars!', and 'Living in the homes of Stars!' And then the ripping people to shreds. Humiliation. Degradation. What is going on? 

"There is so much instant gratification, and we want it. It is just bizarre. I do not watch TV anymore. Nothing. I have no interest in that idol s**t. Unfortunately, the world is in such a state with this (Iraq) war and everything else that it is easier to look at the triteness of a celebrity break-ups. It is like, 'Ahh, relief!' It is an escape, rather like a daytime soap opera. There is nothing left to talk about and I am just sick of everything about myself."

'The Gold Bracelet' honoured at US fest
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, March 22 (IANS) Hollywood-based Indian actor-filmmaker Kavi Raz's "The Gold Bracelet" - about a hate crime that followed the 9/11 attacks - has been awarded at the Cinequest Film Festival in California. 

Written, produced and directed by Kavi, it bagged the Audience's Choice award for best feature film at the festival this month.

Based on true events that unfolded across America after the Sep 11 attacks, the film is the tragic and touching tale of the owner of a gas station in Arizona played by Kavi. He is mistaken for an Arab and killed just four days after 9/11 in a hate crime.

Kavi, who landed in Hollywood in the mid-70s with stardust in his eyes and featured in more than 200 television shows and films, said: "One of my hopes for the film was that, in its message, it reaches beyond the Indian audience." 

The film also stars Archana Puran Singh, Sonny Mandal, Meherunissa Hassan, Arsh Singh and Joseph Whipp. Micky Narula has composed the songs and Malkeet Meet has written the lyrics. 
 
Penelope Cruz passionate about India
DPA

Los Angeles, March 21 (DPA) Hollywood beauty Penelope Cruz, who has got a passion for India, will star in a movie called "Passion India" about a young Flamenco dancer who sparked a scandal in the early 20th century by marrying a maharaja.

Cruz, 31, will star alongside Bollywood stars in the movie, which is based on the novel "Indian Passion" by Javier Moro, according to Production Weekly.

The novel was inspired by the true story of Anita Delgado, a 17-year-old flamenco dancer from Andalusia who scandalised Spain and India in the early 1900s when she agreed to marry an Indian maharaja and settle in his native land. Delgado, a dancing associate of famous spy Mata Hari, was the third wife of Maharaja Sir Jagatjit Singh Bahadur of Kapurthala. 

The movie is expected to shoot in Spain and India.

--DPA

Indo-Asian News Service
 

Pacino to star as Herod on stage
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 21 (IANS) Hollywood legend Al Pacino, the star of hits like "The Godfather" and "Scent Of A Woman", is to star as King Herod in a theatre production of Oscar Wilde's play "Salome".

Contactmusic.com reports that Pacino, who will enact the role of the Jewish king on a one-month long run in Los Angeles, had worked on the Broadway adaptation of the play for two years with the director Estelle Parsons before its debut in 2003.
 

Leto might join 'Desperate Housewives'
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 21 (IANS) Actor Jared Leto is set to join the cast of the hit TV show "Desperate Housewives".

According to ananova.com, Leto, who has gone back to his original weight after he put on some pounds for the movie "Chapter 27", will play Gabrielle's (Eva Longoria) new love interest. He will play a grocery store worker in the show.

He will appear in four episodes in the next series when he gets Gabrielle's husband thrown back into jail.
 
Sheridan made things easier for Longoria
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 21 (IANS) Eva Longoria, the star of the hit TV show "Desperate Housewives", rejects reports suggesting the actors on the show struggled to get along.

According to contactmusic.com, Longoria said actress Nicollette Sheridan helped to make sure that she was accepted by the group. Longoria is the youngest member of the cast and the veteran actress Sheridan intervened to ensure the newcomer didn't get the same treatment she did while starring on the hit TV show "Knots Landing".

She says: "Nicollette took me aside when we first started and said, 'When I was on 'Knots Landing', I was the youngest and the hottest, and everyone was mean to me. Not one person was nice to me on that show. If anybody is ever mean to you on this set, you come to me and tell me, and I'll deal with them.' 

"She was so determined that I not have that experience of not being welcomed and accepted."
 
Rossi makes weight loss confession
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 21 (IANS) Actress Portia de Rossi has revealed details of the weight battle she underwent while starring in the hit TV show "Ally McBeal".

According to ananova.com, Rossi confessed all to Vogue magazine in a candid interview. Rossi had played Nell Porter on the show and said she "literally wanted to disappear". 

She said: "I didn't really know at that point what it was like to be a celebrity, and the only people I knew at the time who had a similar experience were these women who I worked with. They became my role models."

The show at the height of its popularity drew heavy criticism for its cast members being too slim. The star of the show, Calista Flockhart, drew the most criticism. Rossi said that she spoke of her problem after her girlfriend Ellen DeGeneres encouraged her to go open with it.

She says: "I am not proud of this struggle."
 
Sharon says divorce felt like tremendous failure
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 21 (IANS) Actress Sharon Stone says she was distraught after she divorced Phil Bronstein because she felt like a tremendous failure.

According to contactmusic.com, Stone was married to journalist Bronstein between 1998 and 2004. At the time she took a break from her career and joined him in San Francisco to raise a family. She found it hard to return to Los Angeles after her marriage failed because she feared how her peers would treat her. 

She says: "It's hard. I don't think anyone who's ever been divorced can tell you divorce is easy or fun or that it feels like anything other than a tremendous failure. I kind of slunk back to LA. I wondered how people were going to treat me like, 'Well, here she is, she's back...' (But) everybody was like, 'You are back! Yeah!' "
 

Farrell's naked dance for Hayek
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 21 (IANS) Irish actor Colin Farrell performed a naked ballet dance for actress Salma Hayek to help her relax before a sex scene.

According to ananova.com, Hayek was scared of Farrell's reputation and hid before the shooting for "Ask The Dust". She said: "I finally came out of the dressing room, all covered up and Colin's completely naked, jumping around in the sand doing ballet dances. I started laughing and it relaxed me."

Hayek said Farrell was a perfect gentleman during the steamy scenes. 

She added: "I expected him to be a bit nuts. But when we were naked he never looked down one time at my naked body - he looked me in my eyes."
 
Hartnett slams Lohan, Hilton's negative influence
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 21 (IANS) Actor Josh Hartnett has slammed Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton for being a bad example to their fans.

According to contactmusic.com, Hartnet fears the young actresses are promoting a life of self-obsession and shallowness and young people are aspiring to be like them.

He says: "What scares me with pop culture is that people are starting to think that's the way they should be. Looking at my younger brother and sister and their friends, seeing my little sister's friends looking, like, to Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton - I just don't think that's anything to strive for. 

"I don't think those girls are too happy. And it's like the culture is so focused on a more self-oriented, kind of luck-based mentality. It's just like get what's good for you."
 
Craig in 'Casino Royale' sequel too
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 21 (IANS) James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli is absolutely certain that Daniel Craig will be a huge hit as the British spy and has already started working on the sequel to the upcoming "Casino Royale".

According to contactmusic.com, Craig has been the victim of intense scrutiny since he was announced as Pierce Brosnan's successor last year, with diehard fans setting up a site encouraging fans not to watch his debut as Bond. 

But Broccoli is convinced Craig is the perfect actor to give the super spy a grittier edge. She has announced Craig's second role even before the present movie has finished filming. 

She said: "We are already working on the sequel. We are in the early stages of that. It will be an original story but will continue part of what the story is in 'Casino Royale'."
 

Seven killed as TV stunt misfires in Uruguay
DPA

Montevideo (Uruguay), March 19 (DPA) Seven people died and 10 were injured after a train they were pulling for a TV reality stunt show ran over them in Uruguay.

The wounded, some in critical condition, were hospitalised with injuries that reportedly included severed limbs after the accident in the city of Young on Friday, the Uruguayan TV network Saeta reported.

The accident occurred when a train that around 200 people were pulling ran over them during taping for a popular reality television programme, authorities said. The show stages challenges for large groups to win money for charitable causes.

They were pushing and pulling the train in an intended test of strength. The 56-tonne train cars apparently began moving too fast, overtaking some of those pulling, who may have also slipped on wet ground.

About 3,000 students witnessed the carnage during taping of the show. The ill-fated challenge was meant to raise money for the hospital in Young, about 290 km north-west of Montevideo.

--DPA

Indo-Asian News Service

Hepburn most memorable wearer of black dress
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 19 (IANS) The iconic appearance of Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" has earned her the posthumous title of the most memorable wearer of the Little Black Dress. 

Hepburn's dress beat out competition from Eizabeth Hurley and Diana, Princess Of Wales, according to contactmusic.com. The survey was conducted on behalf of event organisers Little Black Dress.

A spokesperson said: "Women love wearing them, men love women in them and there just is nothing quite as glamorous as an LBD (little black dress) for that special occasion."

Spielberg's show faces lawsuit
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 19 (IANS) The producers of Steven Spielberg's TV series "Into the West" are being sued by a tribal Mescalero Apache family in southern New Mexico. 

The family claims that a stylist violated tribal customs by cutting an eight-year-old girl's hair, reported contactmusic.com. 

The girl's father sued for emotional distress and a further $75,000 in damages. He alleged that the company cut his daughter's hair to make her look like a boy because their casting department had failed to find enough young male actors.

The father said: "It's part of our culture not to cut a girl's hair until her Coming of Age ceremony. 

"The only ones allowed to do that are the parents. Nobody asked for permission. This has to do with the culture of a tribal member. It was cut very short above her ears. She looked like a boy. Just because you're wealthy, you don't do something without checking first," he said
 
Victoria Beckham snubs Iceland
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 19 (IANS) Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham has slammed reports, which linked her to British supermarket chain Iceland, and said she would never promote the budget store.

Beckham is shocked by suggestions that she would consider becoming the new face of Iceland, according to contactmusic.com. She has even issued an angry denial. 

A spokesperson said: "Victoria would rather cut off her arms and hair extensions than do an Iceland advert. It is 100 percent untrue and I have never heard a more ridiculous rumour."

Morrissey slams Artic Monkeys
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 19 (IANS) Singer Morrissey has slammed newcomers Artic Monkeys saying the band's sudden success is unnatural.

The former The Smiths front man says the band's sudden success is "unnatural" and undeserved, according to contactmusic.com. 

He says: "It's happening all too quickly for them. They haven't proved a thing and they haven't had to work very hard - that must make them insecure. 

"It's all a bit unnatural. Okay they've sold about 700,000 albums, but it can't be gratifying. They haven't been driving up and down the M1 (motorway in Britain) for 15 years."
 

Shakira to get statue honour
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 19 (IANS) Pop sensation Shakira is to be honoured with a giant steel statue in her hometown of Barranqiuilla in Colombia.

The statue is rumoured to be 16 feet tall and will arrive by boat, according to contactmusic.com. Shakira is thrilled by the tribute after she saw the artwork during a fundraiser in Germany. 

She sad: "I want people to think that any girl can start working on her dreams and that they will come true."

Stone promises more nudity in director's cut
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 19 (IANS) Actress Sharon Stone will show even more skin when the director's cut of her latest movie "Basic Instnct 2" is released later in the year.

Stone says some sex scenes from her new movie were considered too steamy for US audiences and were not included in the theatrical release, according to contactmusic.com.

She says: "In fact, a lot of the nudity that we did is still cut out of the movie. I think when they do release the director's cut, it will be even more provocative."

Missing Depp footage found
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 19 (IANS) The minor role of Johnny Depp in the 1986 movie "Platoon" has been extended for the upcoming DVD release using 10 minutes of newly discovered footage.

Depp played a private in the Oscar winning movie, but most of his performance was cut off, according to contactmusic.com. 

Sony's Marc Rashba says: "(Director) Oliver Stone remembered additional footage he had shot. We finally found more than 10 minutes of footage mislabelled in film archives."

Tom Petty album set for June release
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, March 18 (IANS) American rock icon Tom Petty is giving the finishing touches to a new solo album - "Highway Companion" - that is set for a June release, reports said. 

"It's just a really nice collection of songs. I think it does have an underlying theme of time and what it does to you," billboard.com quoted Petty as saying.

The singer had previously described the project as being about the passage of time. 

In support of the album, Petty and the Heartbreakers will tour extensively in 2006.

"What we're trying to do is a bunch of shows with different artists that either we like or think would be an interesting show," Petty manager Tony Dimitriades said. 

"One of the main things we're doing is a bunch of shows with Pearl Jam. We're also talking to John Mayer about doing some dates, as well as the Strokes."

Petty has received 16 Grammy Award nominations since 1981. He won a Grammy in 1989 for best rock performance by a duo or group with vocal for his work with the Travelling Wilburys. 

In 1994, he received two more Grammys - best male rock vocal performance ("You Don't Know How It Feels") and best-engineered album (Non-Classical).
 
Craig ditches Bond's trademark tuxedo
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 18 (IANS) The new Bond Daniel Craig has further angered Bond fans by ditching the trademark tuxedo in favour of casual wear.

Craig's casting had already displeased fans and they even threatened to boycott the movies, saying that Pierce Brosnan should have never been removed from the role.

Craig says: "The only time you'll see me wearing one is in the promo", reported contactmusic.com.

A spokesperson for the International James Bond Fan Club responded, "Bond without his tux is like Batman without his cape."
 

Tennant slams media obsession with McKellen's sexuality
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 18 (IANS) Pet Shop Boys singer Neil Tennant has slammed the media's treatment of his friend, Sir Ian McKellen, saying they were more interested in his being gay than his stellar role in "The Lord of the Rings".

Tennant was upset that the British arts programme "The South Bank" dedicated an hour to McKellen but focused more on his homosexuality than his achievements as Gandalf in the trilogy, contactmusic.com reported. 

He says: "It's an amazing story, and it's never really been told. Ian MCKellen decided at 60 to become a Hollywood star - and he bloody did it! And then they did a whole 'South Bank Show' about him and it just went on and on about him being gay. How boring."

Ford enjoyed working with son
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 18 (IANS) Hollywood actor Harrison Ford said he enjoyed working with son Malcolm in an ad for a snowboard wax company and said it was a major highlight in his career.

According to contactmusic.com, Ford made his son happy by lending his acting talents to the promotional short and said playing bus driver Jethro was one of the most enjoyable experiences he has ever had.

He said: "My son has some friends who have a snowboard wax company and they made a little video to promote their snowboard wax. I spent a day goofing around with them."

'South Park' creators react angrily to Cruise
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, March 18 (IANS) The creators of "South Park" television show Trey Parker and Matt Stone gave an angry response after their studio Viacom, under pressure from Tom Cruise, did not show a re-run of an episode because of a Scientology joke.

The duo, told to keep quiet by Viacom, made a statement through their lawyer Kevin Morris, reported pagesix.com. 

They said: "So, Scientology, you may have won THIS battle, but the million-year war for earth has just begun! Curses and drat! You have obstructed us for now, but your feeble bid to save humanity will fail! Hail Xenu!!!" 

They signed the statement, "Trey Parker and Matt Stone, servants of the dark lord Xenu". Cruise is a follower of Scientology.

Bettany defends 'Da Vinci Code'
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 18 (IANS) British star Paul Bettany has rebuffed criticism of his new movie "The Da Vinci Code", saying it does not portray Catholicism in a negative way.

Bettany, who portrays the assassin Silas, is surprised by the anger surrounding the movie and says it is only entertainment, contactmusic.com reported.

He says: "I've heard rumours in the press about Catholics being upset about it but I haven't met one yet and I haven't had a chat with anyone who's upset with us. 

"We set out to make a film of the book and that's what we've done. I just don't see how so much anger can be generated by a book you blast through in two days. I think it's quite clearly not a philosophical piece."
 

Jolie tops lesbian's favourite list
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 18 (IANS) Actress Angelina Jolie is the woman most lesbians would want to go to bed with.

According to ananova.com, Jolie was voted the top celebrity fantasy woman by readers of gay magazine Diva. 

The magazine reports, "She's our undisputed dream girl, sending pulses racing and sales rocketing every time she graces the magazine."

The top 10 are as follows: 1. Angelina Jolie; 2. Portia De Rossi; 3. Gina Gershon; 4. Sharon Stone; 5. Jodie Foster; 6. Queen Latifah; 7. Halle Berry; 8. Charlize Theron; 9. Salma Hayek; 10. Drew Barrymore.

Franklin defends Howard comments
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 17 (IANS) Soul legend Aretha Franklin has dismissed rumours that she embarrassed actor Terrence Howard when she publicly announced her crush on him, saying he was "flattered". 

According to contactmusic.com, Franklin denies she changed seating arrangements so she could sit next to Howard at the National Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters' dinner in Washington.

After accepting the award, she said: "Twenty years ago, I would have hustled and flowed with him. He sure is fine! I have to say that every time I see him. Hallelujah, glory to God! This man is fine."

But after gossip sites reported Howard was embarrassed, Franklin defended it by saying he accepted her compliments graciously. 

She said: "I did not tamper with anything. He was not embarrassed by my statement, as 40 million women are saying the same thing. He is intelligent enough to have been flattered, and that was visible to all."

Bono uses sunglasses for privacy
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 17 (IANS) U2 lead singer Bono wears sunglasses because it forms a barrier between himself and his audience.

According to contactmusic.com, Bono claims his eyes are sensitive to light and swell up if the glasses are removed. But he also likes to maintain some distance from his fans.

He says: "There's many reasons for the glasses, posing I am sure right up there, privacy, and other more medical. I do like having one step of a remove, actually. I don't think when I am singing I hold anything back and I don't think when I am writing I hold anything back. 

"But I think I am allowed to hold something back in this kind of a set-up. As honest a man as you are and as honest as I am trying to be, there is a natural insincerity in the set-up and I am trying to be much better at it. But just one step removed."

Cruise and Holmes married?
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 17 (IANS) Actor Tom Cruise and his pregnant fiancée Katie Holmes have reportedly taken part in a 'wedding' ceremony on a ship.

According to ananova.com, the pair exchanged rings emblazoned with triangular Scientology symbols. Guests present there were Scientology members John Travolta and Kristie Alley. 

A source said: "Katie wore a flowing white dress and Tom was in a black suit as they exchanged rings during the brief 30 minute ceremony. The couple then walked across a tiny bridge - a Scientology symbol for the journey to total freedom."

Holmes, who is due to give birth soon, entered to a traditional bridal march. They later had steak and lobster. The couple plans to have a real wedding later this year.

However, a spokesperson for Cruise denied it and said: "All I can say is they are not married in any sense of the word."
 
Nuget has spat with Green Day
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, March 17 (IANS) Rocker Ted Nuget is angry with the band Green Day because they laughed off his offer to collaborate with them.

According to pagesix.com, Nuget, who is a right-winger, approached Green Day's lead singer Billy Joe Armstrong about collaborating but he laughed off the idea. Green Day's latest album "American Idiot" is critical of US president George W. Bush and his administration while Nuget is a strong Republican. 

Nuget said: "Their social ignorance, their historical vacuity and their knee-jerk condemnation of American things and the Bush administration is nothing short of embarrassing."
 

Gandolfini impressed with Winslet's raunchy talk
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 17 (IANS) James Gandolfini is calling his "Romance And Cigarettes" co-star Kate Winslet the raunchiest actress in Hollywood after being amazed by her natural ability to talk dirty.

According to contactmusic.com, Gandolfini was so stunned by Winslet's explicit talk he hoped the director would cut the seduction scene.

He says: "I was very impressed with how much stuff she could make up about sex. I remember being underneath Kate and she was chatting away. She kept going and going and going. I was thinking, 'God, I hope we stop at some point! 

"Every time she'd make up new stuff, the director would say, 'Keep going!' And she went for it."
 

Hayek defends sexy scenes
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 17 (IANS) Actress Salma Hayek is defending her full-frontal nude scene in the latest film "Ask The Dust" saying the shot is a vital part of the story.

According to contactmusic.com, Hayek appears naked in a short beach scene with co-star Colin Farrell in the romantic drama directed by Robert Towne. 

She says: "I don't want to do nudity just for the sake of doing nudity. But this is an iconic part of the story from the book. It's important because it represents my character Camilla's spirit, which is very free, and yet she lives in world where she is very repressed by the circumstances. So the nudity is almost symbolic for who she is."

Competing DVD formats set for grand clash
DPA

Hamburg, March 16 (DPA) A war that has been brewing for three years looks set to break out in earnest this year with the release of the first commercial players of the two new competing formats for watching movies at home - HD-DVD and Blu-ray.

The manufacturers behind the two formats have come under scrutiny at the CeBIT trade show in Germany this month after several false starts. Both camps unveiled in January what they said were saleable players at the US Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Just recently though it has become plain that a key part of the software - the copy protection - is still not ready. Without copy protection, the big movie studios may refuse to release titles on the new discs.

While both HD-DVD and Blu-ray are likely to be useful to computer owners for data storage, the main use of the discs will be for selling movies in superb, high-definition quality that will make existing DVDs look grainy by comparison.

Outwardly, the discs resemble both CD-ROMs and DVDs but need blue laser light to "read" information from pits etched into the surface.

CD-ROMs were conceived to hold 0.7 gigabytes of data and DVDs for 4.7 gigabytes (GB) on the original single layer. In comparison, high-density DVD or HD-DVD can hold 15 GB and Blu-ray discs 25 GB.

It might require 50 GB to store a full-length feature film at top quality. There are now triple-layer, 45-GB HD-DVD discs. Blu-ray manages discs with two layers and a capacity of 50 GB.

The essential difference between the two technologies is that Blu-ray requires all-new recording machinery whereas pre-recorded HD-DVDs can be made with existing DVD manufacturing machines.

HD-DVD originally looked likely to make it on to the US market first, but hit technical setbacks last year.

Blu-ray has won the support of major Hollywood studios but the Blu-ray camp is still troubled by the niggling worry that HD-DVD, backed by NEC and Toshiba of Japan, will win out by being cheaper.

In this scenario, early adopters shopping at appliance shops would plump for Blu-ray as the technically more advanced choice but big general retailers, including supermarket chains, will order millions of HD-DVD players because of their lower price.

The key obstacle to launch is a software specification known as Advanced Access Content System (AACS) that will prevent users making copies of movies to sell. The standard would allow one "mandatory managed copy" (MMC) in countries where private copying is a legal right.

An online connection will be required to check for rights to make a permitted copy.

According to Toshiba, a basic player will be available in the US in March for $500 and can be updated when the software is finalised. Warner, Paramount and Universal have recently said they will release HD-DVD movies starting at the end of March.

--DPA
 
Indo-Asian News Service

Playboy cover girl eyes Mt Everest
Sudeshna Sarkar, Indo-Asian News Service

Kathmandu, March 16 (IANS) More than five decades ago, when Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa summitted Mt Everest, the highest peak in the world was regarded as the ultimate in adventure and heroism.

However, this year, glamour - and more - threatens to overrun the 8,848m peak with a Playboy cover girl being the latest among those attempting to reach the top.

Martyna Wojciechowska, a Polish journalist and TV show hostess, has created a sensation with the news that she will be part of an Everest expedition via Tibet headed by Boguslav Ogrodnik.

Though she has summitted Kilimanjaro, Mt. Blanc and Aconcagua, it is not Martyna's prowess as a climber that has made her the talk of the town.

The glamorous Martyna, promptly dubbed the "Anna Kournikova" of the Himalayas, is a former cover girl of the Polish Playboy magazine.

The cover shows her wearing attitude and a two-piece race car outfit, the likes of which have never been seen on any racing circuit. While the minuscule white blouse barely covers her bosom, the white trousers are unzipped all the way.

However, the Playboy cover probably ranks among the more modest photographs in Martyna's album. There are dozens more showing her in the buff, on all fours and other provocative postures.

Many of them are available on the Internet, along with those of other sex symbols such as Marilyn Monroe.

Martyna, associated with a TV show on cars, Automaniak, has no false modesty about her attractions. She is candidly quoted as saying that while she has several male friends, she has just one girl friend.

"My male colleagues' wives don't like me," she reportedly said.

A documentary is on the anvil after the expedition, including a DVD and a photo album, not to mention daily TV broadcasts and weekly reports in Poland.

The mountaineering community is wondering what will come next! There has already been a wedding on the Everest and a gig at the base camp.
 
Portman stressed by shearing scene
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 16 (IANS) Actress Natalie Portman was under immense pressure to get the all important head-shaving scene right in the movie "V For Vendetta" because there was only one chance to film it.

The scene shows Portman having her hair shaved off and was filmed in a single take, according to contactmusic.com. "It was a one-shot deal, and that was the most stressful thing about the experience," said Portman. 

Director James McTeigue said: "The first time I saw her about the role, I had her put her hair behind her head because I wanted to see what she looked like bald. That was the only conversation we had about it. She knew the day was coming, I put three cameras on her, made sure the clippers weren't stuck, and then we shaved her head. She loved it!"
 

Ferrell says he is not dead
Indo-Asian News Service

Los Angeles, March 16 (IANS) Comic actor Will Ferrell has cleared up a false report stating that he had died in a paragliding accident.

According to Hollywood.com, a prank press release that had major grammatical and spelling mistakes reported that Ferrell had died in San Diego. The actors' publicist said: "Not much to say other than we heard and read about it this morning and reacted accordingly. There was no point in trying to track (the source) down as it was obviously a hoax."

"I have no knowledge of Will Ferrell paragliding," Josh Meyers, owner of the paragliding company stated. 

Parker speaks out on Downey Jr's drug addiction
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 16 (IANS) Actress Sarah Jessica Parker revealed how in her early career she had to deal with actor Robert Downey Jr's drug addiction.

According to ananova.com, Parker and Downey started dating after they met on the set of the movie 'Firstborn' in 1984. She said, "Fairly early on in our relationship he told me he had a drug problem. I was stunned. I did not recognise the signs, I did not know the profundity of it. I was innocent in so many ways. I thought, 'Well I will help him.' I didn't think that addiction was something that would impose itself on us. I was very wrong." 

Parker stayed with him but it slowly took its toll on the relationship. She adds, "I believed I was the person holding him together. In every good and bad way I enabled him to get up in the morning and show up for work. If he did not, I was there to cover for him, find him, clean him up and get him to the set or theatre. The machinations of all that are the worst. You are not even in a romantic relationship any more. It is like a parent-child thing."

Radcliffe embarrassed about kissing scene
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 16 (IANS) Daniel Radcliffe, star of the "Harry Potter" series, is all set to film his first onscreen kiss with co-star Katie Leung.

Radcliffe is embarrassed because he has to film it in front of his parents, contactmusic.com reported. The other cast members are looking forward to the kissing scene but are also slightly uncomfortable with the parents being on the sets. 

He said: "It will be odd because one of my parents will be on set. It will be embarrassing, but hopefully I will work past that and be utterly professional. I will probably keep screwing it up so that I can keep doing it."

Lucas approves Indiana Jones script
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 16 (IANS) Filmmaker George Lucas has finally approved the script for the long awaited sequel to Indiana Jones.

Lucas has now passed it on to director Steven Spielberg, contactmusic.com reported. Rick McCallum, the producer of the movie, confirmed that the shooting of the next film is no close to a start date. 

"He (George) just finished the Indiana Jones script, and Steven's having that rewritten and a few things done," Callum stated. Actor Harrison Ford told a British movie magazine, "The reason it has not happened yet is we have not had a good enough script."
 
Pearce slams big-budget Hollywood films
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 16 (IANS) Australian actor Guy Pearce has slammed big-budget Hollywood films, saying they are "embarrassing."


Pearce, who has acted in hits like "LA Confidential", said no amount of money could compensate for the disappointment he had to suffer following his performances, contactmusic.com reported. 

"You kind of realise how thin it is and you end up doing c**p work any way. You end up going 'OK, that was embarrassing and humiliating, now I have got to live that down'. I am much more affected by feeling humiliated than anything else," Pearce remarked.

 
Brandon Routh preparing for Superman fame
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 16 (IANS) Brandon Routh, the actor slated to play Superman, is getting ready for his imminent fame by appearing in public in disguise.

Routh is convinced that doing this will help him deal with the release of the eagerly awaited "Superman Returns", reported contactmusic.com. 

"I already go out a little incognito, like with a cap and shades. But I am not as recognisable now as I will be in the summer," remarked Routh.

China's TV series on Tibetan minorities
Indo-Asian News Service

Beijing, March 16 (Xinhua) China will telecast a drama series about Tibetan ethnic minorities living in the country's southwestern Shangri-La region during the Chinese civil war over six decades ago.

The producers said the 30-episode series would tell the life story of a Tibetan herdsman, Dainba, from 1930s to 1940s when local Tibetans helped the Red Army during the historic Long March through the region. 

"It looks like a drama involving historical events of a specific region but actually it underlines two major themes of the current world - peace and development," said Danzim, deputy head of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, who wrote the preface for the scripts.

Titled "Shangri-La", the series is expected to air during next year's 50th anniversary of the founding of the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Dechen in Yunnan province in southwestern China.

The script for the series has been written by top Chinese writers - Tang Shijie, Wang Zifu, and Liu Jinyuan, after a year's stay in Shangri-La in Yunnan province where they interviewed local residents, studied local history and consulted cultural experts.

The civil war between the Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party or KMT) and the Communist Party of China (CCP) began in 1927 after the Northern Expedition when the right-wing faction of the KMT, led by Chiang Kai-Shek, purged the Communists from a KMT-CCP alliance. 

It ended in 1950 with an unofficial cessation of major hostilities, with the Communists controlling mainland China (including Hainan Island) and the Nationalists restricted to their remaining territories of Taiwan, Penghu, and several outlying Fujianese islands.

The Long March was a military retreat undertaken by the Chinese Communist Army during the conflict to evade pursuit by the Kuomintang army. 

The Communist Army led by Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai was on the brink of annihilation by Chiang Kai-Shek's troops in October 1934. The communists escaped to Shaanxi in the north, covering about 8,000 km over 370 days through some of the most difficult terrain in western China.

Stories about ethnic minorities are often overlooked on Chinese TV and filmmakers. Statistics show that out of a total of 212 films made in China in 2004 only 12 were related to ethnic minority culture. 

--Xinhua

Indo-Asian News Service

P.C. Sorcar's son bags top laser show award
By Ashok Easwaran, Indo-Asian News Service

Chicago, March 15 (IANS) Famed magician P.C. Sorcar's son Manick has won the highest award for artistic achievement at the 2006 conference of the International Laser Display Association (ILDA) for his laser-cum-live show "Enlightenment of Buddha". 

ILDA's awards for artistic and technical excellence, considered the industry's equivalent of the Oscars, honour companies from around the world for artistic and technological achievement. 

Manick Sorcar's company LaserLight Magic, which produced the show, won the first place and bagged the 2005 ILDA Artistic Award for "best use of lasers in a live stage performance" at the ceremony held at Rimini in Italy Monday.

"I am thrilled," a jubilant Manick told IANS.

"Although this show represents a small portion of Lord Buddha's life, it is a gigantic step in the use of lasers for artistry on stage. I used a variety of laser animation and effects to portray the character of the demon Devaputra Mara and his black magic."

"Enlightenment of Buddha" is an extravaganza of dance, drama and magic that combines life-size laser-animation and three dimensional laser effects in space. 

The story takes the audience to India circa 600 BC, where a meditating Gautam Siddhartha under a banyan tree remained undisturbed and attained enlightenment despite constant disruption from Devaputra Mara. 

The show largely features live actors except for Mara and his spectacular black-magic acts that are done by laser.

Manick said: "It is heart-warming to see the international panel of judges recognised the creativity I put in with the help of the cutting-edge technology, where I used the narrow, strong beam of lasers as a paint brush."

"Enlightenment of Buddha" topped entries from countries like Germany, Italy, Britain, Russia, France, Japan and the Netherlands.

The show was first performed in October 2005 at the Denver Center for Performing Arts, Colorado, for the 25th anniversary of the Asian Pacific Development Center. 

The show, attended by the Denver mayor and other dignitaries, received repeated applause from the audience and rave reviews from the media.

Manick shot to fame in the early 1990s with "Deepa and Rupa: A Fairy Tale from India", a film that combined animation and live action, and won the Gold Plaque at the Chicago International Film Festival. 

His other films based on fables from India received recognition by winning a series of prestigious awards at various film festivals. 

Last year, his animation films were the subject of a research paper for an American student's bachelor's degree in fine arts at the Savannah College of Fine Arts in Georgia.

Manick is author of several lighting texts and has a full-time job as the CEO and president of Sorcar Engineering Inc, which did the lighting designs for Denver International Airport, sport centres in Japan and palaces for Saudi princes. By night, he is an artist and animator. 

Laser is to Manick what the magic wand is to the traditional magician. 

"I practise the science of lasers during the day. At night, I apply it to art. I marry the two in my stage shows," he said.

Johansson tops natural beauty list
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 15 (IANS) Actress Scarlett Johansson has topped a list as Hollywood's most natural beauties in a survey by make-up artists.

Johansson was praised for her luminous skin and luscious pout, reported Hollywood.com. Kate Winslet was second with Catherine Zeta-Jones coming in third in the poll of the members of the National Association of Screen Make-Up Artists And Hairdressers. 

Actor Orlando Bloom topped the male list followed by Jake Gyllenhaal and Johnny Depp.


Culkin surprised to be linked with Jackson
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 15 (IANS) Former child star Macaulay Culkin is surprised that some people always link him to Michael Jackson and is keen to distance himself from Jackson.

Culkin had appeared with Jackson in the 1980s and is also the godfather to Jackson's first child Prince Michael, said contactmusic.com. 

He says: "We're friends. I don't know when this happened, but at some point in my life or career, I've become the 'Michael Jackson Ambassador' and I don't know how this happened. I don't know why. 

"He's a friend of mine. It's not like I have any grand insight into his personal life. I talk to him maybe once or twice a year, on the phone, long distance. He's an interesting personality. I try my best to talk to him, but at the same time he lives in his own world."

Lohan needs jovial boyfriend
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 15 (IANS) Actress Lindsay Lohan says she needs a boyfriend with a good sense of humour because she has a lot of emotional baggage that she brings to her relationships.

Lohan says she desperately needs a partner who can handle her crazy life and who feels comfortable with the constant media glare surrounding her, according to hollywood.com.

She says: "I have paparazzi following me every day. I'd like to have a boyfriend. It would be nice to have that security and to have someone to go to a movie with." 

She added the partner needs to have "confidence, loyalty and a good sense of humour, because I come with a lot of baggage". 

She says: "Sleeping around is not something that interests me, but the act of love is an amazing thing. It's groovy. You've gotta have some fun and let those emotions out."

"It sounds cheesy, but I have people who are fun to have crushes on."

Willis blinded by gorgeous Berry
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 15 (IANS) Action star Bruce Willis is struggling to star opposite Oscar winner Halle Berry because her beauty blinds him. 

Willis is currently shooting the movie "Perfect Stranger" alongside Berry and says she is so incredibly stunning that it hurts his eyes, according to contactmusic.com. 

He says: "I get all awkward. She's beautiful. It's almost like looking at an eclipse of the sun. You have to take a pin and poke it through a card and look at her through that. You could damage your retina."

Jackie Chan's firefighter dreams fading
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 15 (IANS) Martial arts hero Jackie Chan is concerned that he is too old to fulfil his dream of playing a role of a firefighter.

Chan recently served as an ambassador for the World Firefighters Games held in Hong Kong, reported contactmusic.com. He has dreamt of playing a firefighter, but admits that he may be forced to serve as a fire chief.

He says: "My wish is to bring my heroes to the big screen, and many of them have already appeared in my films. The firefighter is the only one I have yet to put in a film. I have dragged this idea on for so many years, even if I want to make it, now I feel that my age makes me unsuitable. 

"If I do make this film, I would no longer play a firefighter, and would more likely be a firefighting captain. But if I were to be honest with you, the role I want to play most is the firefighter."

Moss dabbling into Buddhism
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 15 (IANS) Supermodel Kate Moss has become the latest celebrity turning to religion to deal with the problems that come with fame and she seems to have turned to Buddhism.

"Kate feels Buddhism will get her through the dark times. She's been reading up about karma and is fascinated by the idea that your behaviour comes back on you," ananova.com quoted a source as saying.

Moss had lost several lucrative contracts after pictures of her snorting drugs appeared in the Daily Mirror. She then spent a month in a US rehab clinic and has now seen offers coming her way. 

The source added: "She's thinking about doing charity work to get good karma in her life."

Director says Bourne legacy stronger than Bond
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, March 15 (IANS) Director of the Jason Bourne movies Paul Greengrass says Bourne offers a more lasting legacy than Bond because audiences relate more closely to Bourne.

Greengrass has begun work on the third movie in the series, "The Bourne Ultimatum" and is happy that Bond producers are trying to transform Bond into a grittier character, reported hollywood.com. 

He says: "Well, you know what they say? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. That's honestly what I think. I think there's a big difference between James Bond and Jason Bourne. 

"I think James Bond is the secret agent who likes being a secret agent and likes killing people. He's a misogynist, an old-fashioned imperialist, and Jason Bourne is an outsider on the run and he's one of us and he's fighting against them, I think. That's the profound difference, and that's why I like Bourne."

Theme park to recreate 'Titanic'
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 15 (IANS) "Titanic" director James Cameron has teamed up with a casino operator in an effort to create a high-tech theme park at a new casino and mega-resort in Singapore.

Cameron is the executive producer of the project to create the venture called "iPort", reported contctmusic.com. Cameron will contribute rights and oversight to develop interactive rides based on his hit movies.

He says: "We've been discussing already an 'Aliens' attraction and there's a discussion of a 'Titanic' attraction, what I call the 'Titanic restaurant-slash-near-death-experience'.

"The Titanic's first-class dining room would be re-created in one iPort area following a dinner. After this, visitors could then move to a mock-up of the ship's boiler room and even see a re-creation of the ship's collision with the iceberg through a fire-and-ice show."

Cameron said other attractions would be based on anime characters, video games and even Bollywood films.

New Zealand actors shun gay roles
DPA

Wellington, March 14 (DPA) Despite the success of the Hollywood movie "Brokeback Mountain" that deals with the theme of male bonding, New Zealand actors are not interested in appearing as gay men, according to news reports Tuesday.

Wellington film-maker Andy Boreham told a gay news website that he had been unable to find an actor to play a role in a film about gay safe sex he was commissioned to make by the AIDS Foundation.

He told gaynz.com that every acting agency had turned him down. "They just said they doubted their clients would be comfortable with being in a cinema and print campaign showing them (being) affectionate with another man."

Jason Daniel, the producer of New Zealand's long-running TV soap "Shortland Street", said he found it extraordinarily difficult to cast gay characters.

He told Radio New Zealand that actors were unrealistically fearful about being typecast by playing gay roles.

"Brokeback Mountain", which stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as two cowboys who conduct a love affair that spans decades, won an Oscar for director Ang Lee this year.

AIDS Foundation spokesman Steve Attwood told The Press newspaper he had been astounded by the resistance from agencies to put up actors for the safe sex short commissioned to be screened during a gay film festival in May.

"Actors always need work and given the success of 'Brokeback Mountain' you would think actors would be clamouring to get a gay role," he said.

--DPA

Indo-Asian News Service

Manson's wife slams Hollywood beauty standards
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 14 (IANS) Rocker Marilyn Manson's wife Dita Von Teese has slammed Hollywood's standards of beauty, calling them unrealistic and unoriginal.

Teese, who has dark hair and pale skin, is frustrated with the pressure on women to be extremely thin, with blonde hair and tanned skin, reported contactmusic.com. 

Teese says she wishes women would value their health over their looks and be individuals.

She says: "My advice would be to experiment, ignore trends and work out 'this is how I look best'. We don't all have to blend in or look like Sienna Miller."

Gooding Junior regrets turning down Spielberg's offer
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 14 (IANS) Oscar winning actor Cuba Gooding Junior says he regrets turning down the role of a slave in director Steven Spielberg's epic "Amistad".

Gooding Junior admitted he was too bigheaded after his Oscar win, to accept certain roles, reported contactmusic.com. 

He also accepts the fact that his career suffered due to the choices he made following his Oscar win, because he made up his mind to wait for the best offers and turned down everything else.

He says: "Steven Spielberg came to me and said, 'I want you to be in Amistad' and I said, 'It is a slave role, show me the money. I am so a big thing,' and he goes, 'I can direct you.' And I said, 'No, I have to pass'." 

"To me, at the time, I remember this interview I read with Christopher Reeve talking about 'Superman'. What other role could live up to being Superman - he was Superman. I bought into that. People were telling me (of 'Jerry Maguire'), 'You are black, it is a comedy role, you are not gonna win this thing'. 

"So, when I won it, it was like I had all these things in my life - 'This is what you are, this is what you've become... Now represent that. I have arrived and now I have to live up to this thing.' I didn't know the next day I should have rolled up my sleeves and said, 'OK, now let's continue on this journey.' Creatively, I stopped myself."

Huffman cried when felt ugly
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 14 (IANS) Actress Felicity Huffman had cried on the phone to her husband William H. Macy after a pre-launch publicity shots for "Desperate Housewives".

Huffman felt old and haggard next to her sexy co-stars - Teri Hatcher, Nicollette Sheridan and Eva Longoria, said contactmusic.com. She was relieved when her husband Macy told her that he knew exactly how she felt. 

She says: "Everyone came and took pictures of beautiful Teri, Nicollette and Eva. The first hour I was like, 'This is so funny - nobody wants to take a picture of me.' The second hour my nose was a little out of joint. By the third hour, I hated it. 

"I called my husband from the limo, crying, 'I am the oldest and ugliest one here'."

Lohan ready to bare all for an Oscar
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 14 (IANS) Actress Lindsay Lohan is so desperate to win an Oscar, she would go topless if an award-wining role came along.

Lohan till now had been reticent to appear naked on screen, but she admits she has her price, reported hollywood.com. 

She says: "I am okay with being topless in front of people, but I am not sure if I'd want to do it on screen. If it is a role that is going to win me an Oscar, it would be different."

Seymour slams Botox actresses
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 14 (IANS) Actress Jane Seymour has slammed actresses who get Botox injections, saying it will ruin their career.

Seymour says she can't understand why female stars get the injections, because the effects can hamper the ability to effectively portray emotions on screen, according to contactmusic.com. 

She says: "This Botox thing is fine for real life people who just don't want to have any frowns, but if you have to frown for a living, it's kind of detrimental to your career." 

Seymour insists when it comes to plastic surgery, she would never have the surgery to look younger. 

She adds: "I haven't actually had that big old facelift yet. It may have to happen. Everyone should choose what they want to do."

Keaton, Downey accept pay cut for baseball film
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 14 (IANS) Actors Michael Keaton and Robert Downey Junior accepted huge pay cuts in their salaries to be in a new baseball movie because they loved the script.

The movie "Game 6", which surrounded the famous sixth game of the 1986 World Series between the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox, was shot in New York for just $1 million, according to contactmusic.com. 

The movie is based on a screenplay by Don Delillo and directed by Michael Hoffman.

Keaton says: "It's so hard to get anything as well written or as challenging, or a cast or director this good, so I just had to do it. It kind of haunted me." 

There was no star treatment on the set and the cast had to fend for themselves. 

He adds: "I know the public restrooms in New York now because I'd use them to make sure my hair was combed and my wardrobe was on."

Stone goes bold for 'Basic Instinct 2'
Indo-Asian News Service

London, March 14 (IANS) Actress Sharon Stone is not only doing a full frontal nude scene in "Basic Instinct 2", but also wants the footage to be "disturbing", "threatening" and "brazen".

Stone's nude scene occurs two-thirds into the film, but a sex scene in the beginning of the movie is raising eyebrows too, according to newsweek.com. 

She said: "I felt we should hold off on the full nudity for a while in the movie and then I thought that when I ultimately did do the nude scene, it should be done in a startling way that would be disturbing and threatening. By the time the film is released, I will be 48 and I wanted to do the nudity in a way that's quite brazen. 

"I wanted her to be very masculine, like a man in a steam room, and I wanted the audience to have a moment where they realise she's naked and then realise she's a forty-something woman and naked."

A critic at a film festival said: "Sharon is a strong-willed woman with many opinions and she is not afraid of telling you what her opinion is. A lot of it was water off a duck's back though, because I am very disciplined when I make a film."