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'Phantom Of The Opera' to set record
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Nov 27 (IANS) Acclaimed musical "The Phantom Of The Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Webber is set to become the longest-running musical in Broadway's history in January 2006.

According to contactmusic.com, the multi award winning show will overtake "Cats" as the all time record holder with 7,485 performances. "Phantom Of The Opera" is still going strong after 17 years.
 

 
Foster says she never had a childhood
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Nov 27 (IANS) Two-time Oscar winning actress Jodie Foster is determined to give her sons a perfect childhood because her success at a young age made her miss out on a normal childhood.

According to contactmusic.com, Foster made her first on screen appearance when she was just three. But she wants her sons, Charles and Kit, to have as much fun as possible.

She says: "I grew up being very aware I was different. That's why I have a psychological need for Charlie and Kit to have normal childhoods. 

"Just a few weekends ago we spent the whole time with friends who had rented an enormous waterslide. After playing on it all day, my boys were banged-up, plastered with mud and utterly exhausted. They loved it and I loved it. 

"I look back and I didn't have days like that when I was a child. I was too busy working."

 
Clooney fights for an Oscar
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Nov 27 (IANS) Actor and director George Clooney has put his name forward for Oscar's Best Supporting Actor.

According to contactmusic.com, Clooney's people have advised him to aim for the Best Actor nomination for his role in "Syriana". A studio insider says Clooney didn't think he would able to win the award.

A source said: "We've been listening carefully to members of the Screen Actors Guild, National Board of Review, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and to film reviewers. Everyone decided this (decision) was best for the movie." 

Many are already calling this the year of Clooney because he also has a supporting role in another acclaimed movie, "Good Night, Good Luck".

Lohan consulted grandma about tattoo
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Nov 27 (IANS) Lindsay Lohan had to consult her grandmother over her latest tattoo since she wanted to ensure her tribute to her late grandfather was correct.

According to contactmusic.com, Lohan decided to get 'la vita e bella' (life is beautiful) engraved on her lower back but wasn't sure of the correct spelling. 

She says: "I was on the phone with my grandmother when I got it because she's Italian and I wasn't sure. People were telling me all different ways to say it and I said, `Well, I don't (want to) have the wrong meaning on my back tattooed for life'."

Lohan reveals that her tattoo was pretty painless: "I was eating ice cream when I got this one. I was shocked that it didn't hurt." 

Lohan now plans to have the word 'breathe' tattooed on her forearm - to commemorate her role in the upcoming film "Chapter 27" that revolves around former Beatles singer John Lennon who was assassinated in 1980. 

Williams gives up on US fans
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Nov 27 (IANS) British pop star Robbie Williams has given up trying to win over fans in the US.

"America has never really been the end piece of the jigsaw for me," Williams said in Mexico City, according to pagesix.com.

He added: "I live in America. Nobody knows me there. I can pick my nose, scratch my ass and get away with a lot of things that I wouldn't be able to get away with in the rest of the world. 

"And, then, everywhere else I go, I'm a pop star. And it's fun - it's like being Batman."

He has not even bothered to release his new album "Intensive Care" in the US.
 
'King Kong' is tragic tale of beauty and the beast
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Nov 28 (IANS) Director Peter Jackson's remake of the 1933 film classic "King Kong" is a "surprisingly tender, even heartbreaking" tale of beauty and the beast, says Newsweek magazine.

The magazine, which was given a sneak peek at the $207 million film ahead of its release Dec 14, reports that the new version of "King Kong" recaptured the "heart-pounding, escapist glee" of the original, which ushered in a revolution in movie special effects.

The movie, which was written by Jackson, his life partner Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, traces the efforts of a maverick filmmaker Carl Denham (Jack Black) to make an adventure film on the mysterious Skull Island, which is home to a mythical giant ape named Kong.

Naomi Watts plays Ann Darrow, who is picked off the streets by Denham to play the lead in his movie after he loses the original actress. Things change dramatically after Kong, a 25-foot gorilla, takes an interest in Darrow.

After fighting off dinosaurs and other strange animals that inhabit Skull Island, the film crew captures Kong and transports him to New York, where he breaks lose and wreaks havoc while looking for Darrow.

Jackson, who was inspired to become a filmmaker after seeing the original "King Kong" at the age of nine, roped in many old faces from his "Lord Of The Rings" team for the remake.

While a group led by visual effects supervisor Joe Letteri and model maker Gino Acevedo created the digital King Kong, actor Andy Serkis, who "played" the character Gollum in the "Rings" trilogy, provides the "thumping heart inside" Kong's digital body. 

To prepare for his role, Serkis even flew to Rwanda and studied gorillas in their natural habitat. 

Jackson's remake clocks in at three hours, compared to the original's 100 minutes.

"A few people have already asked me why we're taking twice as long to tell essentially the same story," said Jackson, best known for his "Lord Of The Rings" trilogy. 

"And I don't really know. We've been asking that ourselves. I'm going to have to come up with a better answer."

Shaan and co rock South African audiences
By Fakir Hassen, Indo-Asian News Service

Johannesburg, Nov 28 (IANS) An almost all-male concert at Gallagher Estate, north of here, Sunday had fans rocking as new stars on the block, Shaan Mukherjee, Kunal Ganjawala, Indian Idol runner-up Amit Sani, and veteran music director Anu Malik belted out nearly four hours of non-stop lively music and song.

Fans really got their money's worth with a show that was probably the best since Sonu Nigam played here last year, and most certainly the best of the many shows out of India this year.

The highlight of the evening was Kunal Ganjawala's rendition of his famous song "Bheege Honth Tere" from the film "Murder", while Shaan showed that he had a stage personality and audience rapport that could easily match that of Sonu Nigam as the best that we have seen amongst the new generation of playback singers from India who have performed on stage here.

Starting out with an apology for disappointing his fans by not performing at a scheduled show in Johannesburg last year after one in Durban the previous night, Shaan said the circumstances were beyond his control and everyone should just forget about it. 

Then he went on to perform incredibly well with his infectious smile, interaction with the audience, and a script casually yet effectively woven into his items without being predictable; winning over the hearts of the audience.

The show started though with the surprise package of the evening - Indian Idol runner-up Amit Sani, who earlier in the day, was seen as a shy, introverted boy-from-the-street type by many, including the scores of people who flocked to the Global Bollywood Music store here for an autograph from the singers. 

While the others were mobbed, Amit was fobbed off by almost everyone who did not recognise him (this scribe included). But on stage it was almost like a split personality as Amit showed he was anything but an introvert, and the girls were mobbing him by the end of the show.

Anu Malik, the effervescent overgrown teenager who still likes to bop on stage, showed why he is still successful nearly three decades after starting out, as he performed with untiring energy non-stop for 40 minutes with a medley of his songs old and new, and all at a hectic pace without even pausing for a sip of water! Thankfully, Anu seems to have given up on his attempts at English songs.

Kunal tried hard to dance to his songs, but sadly his size and stature do not allow for this to be done with any semblance of grace, so perhaps he should stick to the singing and audience participation that he excelled at with that powerful and distinctive voice that belies his physique when hearing it on CD or the radio. 

Shaan though showed steps, looks and talent on stage that could easily see him become a movie star himself, rather than only singing playback for the others.

Comedian Madhav Moghe showed that experience brings with it an understanding of audience needs. He provided excellent original material that South African audiences have not heard before, including topical things like the current Indian tour by the South African cricketers and issues facing Indian immigrants abroad in his repertoire. Even his filmi character impersonations and sound effect impressions were different from the usual repetitive routines Indian comedians bring with them on tour.

Some nice local touches were the inclusion of very professional dancers from the Nateshwar Dance Academy of Durban, who were believed by many in the audience to have come with the group from India; and Lenasia music group Avikaar melodies, who did well in a 15 minute item that was allowed as an opener to the show, keeping to time and not outstaying their welcome, as sometimes happens with local acts at foreign shows.

The only other female in the show was singer Priya Mukherjee (no relation to Shaan) who was given too little to do and whose main claim to fame in the show was the "Kajra Re" song from "Bunty Aur Babli" that she did with Amit.

It was a great show overall, even if the acoustics in the hall did play a bit of havoc with the sound, and the next step for South Africans after this is - can we have a show with Sonu Nigam and Shaan on the same platform?

Depp praises Shane MacGowan
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Nov 28 (IANS) Actor Johnny Depp is all praise for the alcoholic singer Shane MacGowan as a great of our time.

According to contactmusic.com, Shane MacGowan is the lead singer of the band Pugues. He is known for his rotting teeth and drunken rampages. 

He has won over Depp with his lyrics which include the famous romantic number, "You scumbag, you maggot, you great lousy faggot" from festive anthem "Fairytale Of New York".

Depp says: "His intake has been pretty impressive over the years. But he has produced some of the most beautiful lyrics that are a great gift to the world."

Damon wants Bourne character to die
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Nov 28 (IANS) Movie star Matt Damon is keen to have his character Jason Bourne from "The Bourne Identity" killed off.

According to contactmusic.com, Damon is hoping that Bourne will somehow get himself into some kind of a difficult situation, but he isn't getting his hopes up too high. 

He says, "I wanted to have him killed in 'The Bourne Identity' and 'Bourne Supremacy'. But no one listens to me."


Naomi Watts survives scary fall
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Nov 28 (IANS) Actress Naomi Watts was nearly paralysed after she had a scary fall on the sets of her latest movie "King Kong".

According to contactmusic.com, Watts plays Ann Darrow in the highly anticipated movie. She fell into a ditch to the shock of the cast and the crew. She insists that her rigorous practice of yoga saved her from any further damage. 

She says: "I fell with quite a lot of force and I was jammed up in a hole. I had a brief period when I couldn't move and I thought I may be paralysed. I thought, 'This is it.' 

"But after a few seconds I was able to move and they slowly got me out. I thought, 'Thank goodness for my yoga.' It had made me supple and agile."

Madonna keeps daughter away from music
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Nov 28 (IANS) Madonna is determined to keep her daughter Lourdes from following her into show business despite her natural talents.

According to contactmusic.com, Madonna is proud of her daughter but she is afraid that her daughter may become better than her. 

She says: "Lola's very musical. She sings quite well, and she's an incredible ballerina. I think she wants to follow in my footsteps. But I'll be the nagging mum telling her not do everything I did."

Tony Blair likes Jackie Chan
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Nov 28 (IANS) British Prime Minister Tony Blair is a big fan of the martial arts star Jackie Chan.

According to pagesix.com, Blair's wife Cheri told Jackie: "Tony tells me that 'Rush Hour' is his favourite." She said this as she presented Jackie with the 2005 World Diversity Award in London. 

But Cherie also declared she has gentler tastes. She told the actor: "I liked 'Around the World in 80 Days' myself." 

She was referring to the remake of the Jules Verne novel starring Jackie and British comedian Steve Coogan

Tennis ace Hewitt becomes father
DPA

Sydney, Nov 29 (DPA) Australian glamour pairing of tennis ace Lleyton Hewitt and former television soap star Bec Cartwright announced the birth of their first child, a girl, Tuesday here. 

"At this stage, Lleyton and Bec have not announced a name for their new arrival," publicist Rob Aivatoglou told Australia's AAP news agency.

Aivatoglou told the press not to expect a photograph or comment.

As with their Sydney Opera House wedding earlier this year, they have sold exclusive coverage of events to a local women's magazine. Cartwright was pictured in the media in the back of a limousine with her head between her knees. It was explained that she was protecting the value of photos sold to the magazine.

Cartwright, 21, and Hewitt, 24, got engaged in January, less than three months after he was dumped by former fiancee and fellow tennis star Kim Clijsters of Belgium. Clijsters, also a former world number one, and the Adelaide-born Hewitt had been a couple for four years.

Indo-Asian News Service 

Radcliffe gets mobbed by Elijah fans
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Nov 29 (IANS) Star of the "Harry Potter" series Daniel Radcliffe has revealed that Australian fans think he is Elijah Wood of "Lord Of The Rings".

According to ananova.com, Radcliffe said: "So often people shout out, 'Hey Frodo!' as they think I'm Elijah who frankly is a very good-looking guy so I take it as a compliment. 

"I admit when a couple of people have put autograph books under my nose I've signed them, 'Much love Elijah Wood'. It would be a bit deflating for me if I told the truth and they said, 'Don't bother signing it then'."

He is currently in Australia filming "December Boys". He plays an orphan fighting his adoptive parents' attention in the film.
 

Classical music saved Wainwright from drugs
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Nov 29 (IANS) Troubled singer and songwriter Rufus Wainwright says classical music saved him from a life of drug abuse.

According to contactmusic.com, Wainwright hails classical music as the key to his successful rehabilitation stint from an addiction to crystal meth. He insists it should be used as an inspiration to artists regardless of their age or lifestyle.

He says: "The greatest asset during my rehab process has been the influence of classical music, which saved my life. Unlike rock 'n' roll, where drugs, sex and debauchery are the norm, you can write your most interesting music when you're old, fat and ugly."

 
Miller keeps Law close to her
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Nov 29 (IANS) Actress Sienna Miller has got boyfriend Jude Law a cameo in her new film "Factory Girl" so that she can keep an eye on him.

According to pagesix.com, the film will be shot in Louisiana and Miller doesn't want to spend too much time away from him. 

The couple have been spotted fighting many times on the streets of New York.
 
Goldberg fighting to make Holocaust movie
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Nov 29 (IANS) Whoopi Goldberg is fighting to turn the book "Destined To Witness: Growing Up Black In Nazi Germany" by Hans Massaquoi into a movie, but studio bosses can't see the point of the project.

According to Internet Movie Database, Goldberg has been trying for the past seven years to make the movie. 

She says: "Massaquoi lives in New Orleans now and we have been trying for several years to get this done and people keep saying to us, 'Well, what's the hook?' It is an extraordinary story that no one's ever seen before. No one really knows about it. 

"He's a huge hero in Germany, they have nothing but love and respect for him. They have told his story in Germany. Seven years I've been trying to get it off the ground. It doesn't cost a lot to make, but that is what I wish to do more than anything."
 
Jolie asks West to help Pakistan's quake hit
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Nov 29 (IANS) United Nations goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie is pleading with aid donors to act quickly to save millions of people in quake hit Pakistan from freezing to death.

According to hollywood.com, Jolie told a conference in Islamabad that Western countries should take immediate action if they are to stop more people from dying. 

She said: "There's another disaster that could happen very soon. There are so many wonderful pledges of money that could come in the next few years, but this winter is in the next few weeks. 

"So many people are in danger of possibly freezing to death. It's a huge situation... nobody sitting at home has any idea what this really looks like. It's unbelievable."

The UN says it has already received around $216 million for short-term emergency relief. This is only 39 percent of the amount it had asked for. More money is desperately needed before winter sets in. 

Apart from her social work, Jolie is concentrating on her acting career as well and is said to be keen to star in a third "Lara Croft" movie.

According to ananova.com, film and video game executives are reportedly in talks about making the third movie. The video game company SCI, which owns Lara Croft, is in talks with Paramount Pictures. 

The first two movies earned a total 235 million pounds worldwide.
 
'Charlie And The Chocolate Factory' wins BAFTA award
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Nov 29 (IANS) Director Tim Burton's hit movie "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" starring Johnny Depp was named favourite kids film at this year's BAFTA awards.

According to ananova.com, actor Freddie Highmore, who plays Charlie in the film, collected the award. 

"The Incredibles" was named best feature film. 

 
'Narnia' makers get help from Christian marketing firm
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Nov 29 (IANS) Disney has hired Christian marketing firm, which managed the movie "Passion Of The Christ", to promote "The Chronicles Of Narnia" based on the classic novel by C.S. Lewis. 

According to the New York Post, the firm Motive Entertainment has organised screenings of the film at 150 churches across the country. Church groups are being encouraged to include "Narnia" in their sermons with the help of guides that can be downloaded from a special website called narniaresources.com.

Disney vice president for publicity Dennis Rice said: "Hundred million copies of this book have been sold since 1950, and there are lots of different reasons people connect to the movie, and certainly its spiritual message is one of them. We have reached out to those people."