AR Rahman for Indo-Jap film!

By The Times Of India

13 Apr, 2009

The composer has now tied up with Japanese music composer Joe Hisaishi for the music of their forthcoming Indo-Japanese venture. Our source said, “Rahman, Bharat Bala (director) and some people from Disney (who are producing the film) met Joe Hisaishi in Tokyo on April 6 to discuss the film. Apart from Kamal Haasan and Asin, the film also stars the Japanese actor Tadanobo Asano (Mongol, Wind Up Type, Last Life In The Universe) in a film which will trace the origin of the martial art in India.” 
   
According to our source the film deals with Kalaripayattu, the martial art form of Kerala. 
   
The source added, “Kamal was very keen to work with a Japanese actor after he met Jackie Chan during the music release of Dasavtaram. This is a $ 50 million project by Bharat Bala who will also be directing the film. Research work on the martial art form is currently on. The film will show that martial arts originated from India and not from Japan, as the myth around the world is.” Bharat Bala and Rahman are in Tokyo and remained unavailable for comment.

ABOUT JOE HISAISHI

Mamoru Fujisawa, professionally known as Joe Hisaishi, is a composer and director known for over 100 film scores and solo albums dating back to 1981. While possessing a stylistically distinct sound, Hisaishi’s music has been known to explore and incorporate different genres, including minimalist, experimental electronic, European classical, and Japanese classical.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Freida Pinto features on the cover of April issue of People magazine

By Bollywood Hungama News Network

April 13, 2009

After the success of Slumdog Millionaire, one can easily say that 'Since fame cannot be everywhere, Freida Pinto was created'. And the reason for this is the simple fact that there's hardly any magazine for which this actress has not graced the cover. The magnitude of her success is so magnanimous, that the magazines do not even mind repeating her again as the cover girl.

This is exactly what the people at the 'People' magazine have done. Gracing the cover with her by-now-trademarked smile, Freida goes on to plunge into a territory, whereby she talks about her mantra for life, her debut on the LFW ramp, her dream actors and directors with whom she wants to work, and also her crush on Leonardo DiCaprio! Well, she also steps ahead by talking about her definition of success, fan mails, marriage, her pick on luck or destiny, and a million other questions. Lastly, she also goes on record about Dev Patel. Well, does she deny or accept her alleged romance with her Slumdog Millionaire co-star is what you can read about in the latest issue of 'People'!

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Padma Lakshmi, Chelsea Handler, and Eliza Dushku naked: Good or bad for womankind?

By Jennifer Armstrong

Apr 13, 2009

Oh, tastefully nude national magazine photo shoots, how you vex us. Sometimes you boldly declare that a former child star is passed puberty, sometimes you are just trying to be funny, and sometimes, most vexing of all, you aim to "empower" us. The latter, which is what Allure's annual naked issue strives to be, brings up complicated feelings for us ladies. (And it's primarily ladies who are the subjects of such things, unless you count famous beefcake shots of Burt Reynolds or Richard Gere as empowering, which you could.) 

Celebrating women's unadorned bodies? Genuinely awesome. (Especially these days, when most of us lack the funding for the designer threads normally featured in women's mag pages.) But Allure seems to have airbrushed the likes of Padma Lakshmi, Chelsea Handler, and Eliza Dushku "like a Playboy spread," as one of my astute straight male colleagues observed. Not to mention that there's something, well, confusing about how proud we're supposed to be that the freakishly attractive people we call celebrities, who have trainers and possibly other body-oriented professionals on speed dial, are proud of their toned flesh. (And how they provocatively coo to the female readership, via Q&As, that they sleep naked, are "sensual" beings, etc., in a way that's about half a step from being a Maxim interview.) 

Is there a way to accomplish the same goal with a little more honesty and integrity? I'd venture that, within reason, we could handle a slightly less Barbie-esque presentation. As my straight male source also observed: "Most men like the gory details of a woman's body. This spread is like looking at their wax figure likenesses more than flesh and blood." That, plus maybe some more insightful discussions with the ladies about their body images (beyond the standard "we're all beautiful and it's sexy to love yourself and we're good enough and smart enough and gosh darn it people like us" talk) -- issues they've overcome, worries for the future, ways their bodies have affected their lives. Think it doesn't matter if you have big breasts or a small waist or tremendous curves, that all that matters is what's on the inside? Think again. That's the kind of naked discussion we'd like to see.

What do you think of Allure's naked spread? Too provocative, too plastic, or just right?

Source: http://popwatch.ew.com

Emma Watson to study in U.S

ANI
Posted: Apr 13, 2009

Harry Potter star Emma Watson may soon move to the U.S. to pursue further studies, according to reports. 

Earlier this year (09), the British actress announced that she was putting her acting career on hold to concentrate on her degree. 

According to British newspaper the News of the World, Watson applied to a number of colleges in the U.K. and America - but has now settled on the prestigious Brown University in Rhode Island. 

“She looked at universities over here (England) but fell in love with Brown. She has a lot of friends there," ‘Contactmusic’ quoted a source as telling the publication.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Baishakhi fashion

Chandra Shekhar Saha talks about changing trends

By Jamil Mahmud

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

'Pahela Baishakh,' the first day of the Bengali calendar, is a festive occasion. What makes it remarkable is that it brings all sections of the society under one umbrella and is widely celebrated through South and Southeast Asia: Bangladesh, India and Nepal (based on the Hindu solar calendar that commences in mid-April of the Gregorian year), as well as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand. 

In our country, people gear up for the festival by going on a shopping spree -- opting particularly for new and fashionable attire. Celebrated fashion designer and artist Chandra Shekhar Saha believes this trend is not a fruit of a few days; it has developed over the last decade. He finds three important initiatives -- Chhayanat's musical soiree at Ramna, BSCIC's Baishakhi fair and 'mangal shobhajatra' by the students of Charukala -- that collectively manifests the day's significance. In a recent interview with The Daily Star prior to Pahela Baishakh 1416, Saha went over this evolution of the fashion market.

"Though the initiatives began at various points of time, collectively they have played an important role in bringing people together over the last 10 years," said Saha, pointing to the initiatives by Chhayanat, BSCIC and Charukala.

Saha observes rapid changes in the field of fashion designing. He asserts that over the years fashion houses have adopted two forms of designs prior to Pahela Baishakh: first, traditional motifs on their products and second, experimentation with materials and colours. "Though attire, primarily in red and white, have traditionally been popular, in vogue today are lighter shades of those two colours. Off-white, maroon, purple and other reddish colours now find a place in wardrobes alongside basic red and white. Fashionable attire are fatua, T-shirts and salwar-kameez rather than the conventional saris, lungi and panjabi," he says.

Saha has worked over the last 35 years in the field of fashion design. This year, he has conceptualised Kay Kraft's Baishakhi attire and greeting cards. The collection has been designed by a group of artistes and based on terracotta plaques from the walls of Kantaji temple. The greeting card, designed by Nisar Hossain, depicts 'Lokkhi-shora' from Manikganj. This year's Baishakhi collection of Nitya Upahar is also Saha's brainchild.Saha observes that the rural lifestyle filters into the city on Pahela Baishakh as “people go out to what is akin to a village fair.” Besides, he adds, foodies enjoy a feast of 'panta-ilish' and 'deshi' sweets. 

Saha hopes that the young too will be enthusiastic about this colourful festival. "If we want to keep our art and culture alive then among our festivals we must give pride of place to Pahela Baishakh,” he says.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Porn star Marilyn Chambers found dead in L.A. County home

By Andrew Blankstein 
April 13, 2009

Marilyn Chambers, a former Ivory Snow detergent model who became a porn star, died Sunday at her Canyon Country home. She was 56.

Chambers, whose real name is Marilyn Ann Taylor, was found unresponsive at 8:51 p.m. at her residence it the 16000 block of Vasquez Canyon, said Los Angeles County coroner's spokesman Ed Winter. The cause of death is under investigation but foul play was not suspected and an autopsy is pending.

Chambers became a pop culture phenomenon when she gave up work as a model advertising Ivory Snow laundry detergent to star in the X-rated "Behind the Green Door" in 1972.

The movie also sparked a buying frenzy on boxes of Ivory Snow soap, then graced by Chambers' angelically complexioned face.

-- Andrew Blankstein

Source: http://www.latimes.com

Madonna still wants to adopt

ANI
Posted: Apr 13, 2009

Madonna is still trying her luck to adopt four-year-old Malawian orphan Chifundo “Mercy” James, despite a judge rejecting her application. 

The 50-year-old had spent nearly two years preparing to adopt the tot as a sister to her adopted Malawian son David Banda, and her biological kids Lourdes and Rocco. Her application was rejected due to a requirement that prospective parents be resident in the country for 18 to 24 months. However, according to reports, the Queen of Pop is still keen on bringing Mercy to her New York home. 

Her attorney is said to have lodged an appeal against the judge's ruling though a date for the hearing was yet to be marked. 

"Though I have been advised that I cannot publicly discuss the pending appeal regarding my desire to adopt Mercy, I do want to say how much I appreciate the level of support that I have received from the people of Malawi and my friends around the world," the ‘BBC’ quoted Madonna as saying reportedly. 

Meanwhile, the Nation on Sunday reported that the singer, in a response to an email sent by the paper, wanted to make certain that the little girl was brought up in "a loving family environment".

Source: http://www.news.google.com

Chelsea Handler gets naked!

by Dylan P. Gadino

13 Apr, 2009

Stand-up comedian and late night talk show host Chelsea Handler recently posed all nude and stuff for Allure. But you probably figured that out by the giant nude photo of Handler with the Allure watermark above these words. The issue also features nude shots of Padma Lakshmi, Lynn Collins, Eliza Dushku and Sharon Leal. Never heard of Lynn Collins and Sharon Leal? Me neither. But posing naked will get you known. And quick.

The magazine asked Handler what body parts she’s most proud of. Her answer: ”My boobs are good. They’re real and perky. Even if you can’t see them, the important thing is that I know about them, and the guys I’ve slept with know about them.”

This May issue of Allure is on newsstands April 21.

Source: http://punchlinemagazine.com

Kidman’s daughter has inherited mum’s beautiful features

ANI
Posted: Apr 13, 2009

Contrary to earlier reports that Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman’s daughter Sunday Rose looks totally like her father Keith Urban, her recent pics indicate that she has inherited her mother’s attractive looks too. 

The tot was photographed with her parents, when the happy family jetted into Sydney from Los Angeles.

While Kidman was wearing a jeans and a black cap, daughter Sunday flashed a million dollar smile for the waiting clickers, reports the ‘Courier Mail’. 

The family then headed to their newly renovated 6.5 million dollar Sutton Forrest retreat at Bunya Hill for a reunion with other family members, and to celebrate Sunday Rose's first Easter in Australia.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Chris Brown dating another woman

ANI
Posted: Apr 13, 2009

It seems that singer Chris Brown, who has been charged with two felony counts for allegedly attacking former lover Rihanna, doesn’t believe in wasting anytime, for he has moved on quickly and is currently dating another of his exes. 

The entertainer, who allegedly left the ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker with a split lip, a bloody nose and bite marks on her hands, is said to be busy dating Erica Jackson, whom he met in Virginia earlier. They have got together again, according to reports. 

“They dated back in the day and reconnected a few weeks ago when Chris was in town. They’ve been spending a lot of time together, but things only really heated up over the last two weeks,” the ‘New York Daily’ quoted a source as saying. 

The newspaper report also suggests that unlike Rihanna, Jackson is a tough woman. On the other hand, Rihanna’s lawyer has said that the musician will co-operate with law in the Brown case.

Source: http://news.google.com

Aniston earned more than Jolie in 2008

ANI

Posted: Apr 13, 2009

Jennifer Aniston earned more than ex-husband Brad Pitt's new partner Angelina Jolie last year. 
While the former ‘Friends’ star is said to have earned a whopping 27 million dollars on the strength of films such as ‘Marley & Me’, the ‘Tomb Raider’ star took in 14 million dollars. 

However, R&B singer Beyonce has beaten both the actresses by pocketing a staggering 80 million dollars last year, according to U.S. magazine Parade. 

Her hubby, rapper Jay-Z, did even better - adding another 82 million dollars to his growing fortune, reports ‘Contactmusic’ 

Meanwhile, actor/director Tyler Perry earned a whopping 125 million dollars and funnyman Will Ferrell'' bank account inflated by 31 million dollars.

Source: http://www.news.google.com

I do see myself directing a film: Bipasha Basu

By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, April 12 (IANS)

After eight years of being in front of the camera, Bipasha Basu says she has begun to understand the technical aspects of filmmaking. She is aiming to direct a film and says she will be "fantastic" from behind the camera.

"I've learnt on the job. I now understand script, character, choreography and camera angles. So I guess I do see myself directing a film because I know I'll be fantastic with things from behind the camera," Bipasha, who entered films with 2001 hit "Ajnabee", told IANS. It all started with her interest in the way she looks.

"Nowadays, I take a lot of interest in the way I look. I've become conscious of what suits me. I wont do anything that I don't follow or don't feel comfortable in. Fortunately, we've such capable choreographers. They know I'm not a professional dancer. So they give me movements that are fun, more me," said Bipasha for whom styling has become crucial.

"I've extra-long limbs. So I need steps that don't dwarf the other dancers. I understand all that now. For one of the songs in 'Aa Dekhe Zara' I went for very Afro-American look. It was the look that I thought suited the situation. My other song was very funky and flamboyant. I want to create variety and excitement for myself. It's the only way I can keep audiences interested," she added. Bipasha, 30, also loves performing live on stage.

"I'm now getting a hang of it. Even John (Abraham) has gotten over his inhibitions about dancing. The idea is to just let go and have fun. First you've to get to that stage of relaxation on screen. The stage follows," she said. Bipasha's home is now renovated and she's ready to move back in at May end.

"It's now reached the final stage of completion, the lights are being installed, the surfaces are being polished," said the actress who is planning a big house-warming party.

Bipasha has given hits like "Aankhen", "Jism", "No Entry", "Corporate", "Dhoom 2", "Race" and "Bachna Ae Haseeno".

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Freida Pinto in the list of world's most beautiful women

Agencies
Posted: Apr 13, 2009

Indian actress Freida Pinto is now being feted as a modern 'Helen of Troy' by 'Vanity fair' magazine which is conducting a poll to find the world's most beautiful woman. 

The magazine has given out a list of 19 names, out of which one will be adjudged the world's most beautiful woman. Although names of Hollywood superstars like Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman are missing, debutant Pinto has found a place on the list. 

"Of the billions of women on this planet, only 19, we believe, could start wars. These modern-day Helens of Troy come from both hemispheres and include legends and ingenues," said the magazine about it's chosen list. The list is a eclectic mix of personalities. From 

Hollywood, actresses like Halle Berry, Cate Blanchett, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, made to the list. While from the political circles, Queen Rania of Jordan and France first lady Carla Bruni stand tall to give a tough competition. 

Interestingly two of Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriends also feature on the list, Gisele Bundchen and current love interest Bar Rafaeli.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Madonna tries to woo Malawian public with newspaper appeal

Agencies
Posted: Apr 13, 2009

Pop Superstar Madonna is leaving no stone unturned in her effort to adopt Mercy James as the singer has urged the Malawian public for support through an appeal in a newspaper. The 50-year-old star opened up about her aspirations for Mercy and her three-year-old Malawian son David Banda whom she adopted in 2006, in an email to Malawi's Nation newspaper, the ‘Contactmusic.com’ reported. 

"I want to provide Mercy with a home, a loving family environment and the best education and healthcare possible. 

And it's my hope that she, like David, will one day return to Malawi and help the people of their country," Madonna wrote in the email. The 'Material Girl's request for an interim adoption of three-year-old Mercy was turned down by a court in the country's capital Lilongwe earlier this month under the residential law.

She has appealed against the ruling in the Supreme Court of the African nation, but has come under fire from some human rights groups and children's charities amid notions that Mercy would be better off in her own country. 

Thanking her supporters while waiting for her next hearing, she added, "Though I have been advised that I cannot publicly discuss the pending appeal regarding my desire to adopt Mercy, I do want to say how much I appreciate the level of support that I have received from the people of Malawi and my friends around the world."

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

No buyers for wine endorsed by ‘naked’ Paris Hilton

ANI
Posted: Apr 13, 2009

Hilton heiress Paris Hilton, who posed naked for ‘Rich Prosecco’ wine advert, may have left no stones unturned in getting the brand noticed, but sadly the wine has not been able to live up to its mark. 

The wine brand, which created ripples with its ultra-modern advert featuring a naked Paris Hilton covered in gold paint, is failing to meet sales targets. Multifarious batches of the wine are rotting in warehouses around the world. The wine company is also facing a legal showdown with Italian vintners over the use of the name ‘Prosecco’. 

Although the company is sailing in rough waters, the Austrian owner Guenther Aloys has not blamed endorsement-featuring Hilton for the product’s poor performance. 

“She is the perfect advert for our product,” the Sun quoted Guenther as saying. 

“We have several new campaigns that are already being planned,” Guenther added.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Mischa Barton says being single has ‘empowered’ her

ANI
Posted: Apr 13, 2009

Mischa Barton has admitted that she felt ‘empowered’ following her recent break-up. 

The 23-year-old star, who recently parted ways with Kooks frontman Luke Prichard after a brief relationship, said that being single has made her confident and mature, reports the ‘China Daily’. 

"I'm still working on it but I've grown so much in the past six months. I've grown immensely and it's because I've been single. After I broke up with a boyfriend last year, I felt empowered,” she told Britain's ‘Cosmopolitan’ magazine 

"I've forced myself to grow up - I really felt like it was time. And nothing makes you grow like finding out that somebody or something isn't good for you," she added. The ''O.C.'' actress said that she doesn’t regret the split because it taught her more about herself. 

“I don't believe in regrets. Things are supposed to shape you and change you. I've learnt a lot from my mistakes. We've all done things that were stupid, or that didn't work out as planned, and it's human nature to grow from that," she said.

Source: http://news.google.com

Amy Winehouse's ex Fielder expecting child with drug addict

Agencies
Posted: Apr 13, 2009

The estranged husband of singer Amy Winehouse, Blake Fielder Civil is all set to become a father, after a casual fling with a fellow rehabber resulted in her getting pregnant. Gilleen Morris, a 31-year-old jobless drug addict who already has two children, was in rehab for substance abuse when she met Civil who is also battling drug addiction. This will be his first child, but Morris said that the 27-year-old has expressed his desire to fulfill his duties as a father, the ‘Sun’ online reported. 

"Blake seduced me and we had a secret fling. I never planned for any more children. Our fling was just a bit of fun. I never imagined these consequences," Morris told the newspaper. 

"When I told him I was pregnant he was shocked. But he vowed to stand by me and raise the child," added Morris saying that Civil asked her to avoid drugs for the sake of his unborn child's health. 

The news could wreck Civil's plans to claim half of his wife's 10 million pound fortune in a divorce settlement. Civil who was jailed last July for assault, was still in prison when he filed for divorce accusing Winehouse of infidelity after seeing pictures of her with actor Josh Bowman, with whom she reportedly had a fling while on holiday in St Lucia. 

Since then Blake's lawyers have been negotiating an out of court settlement, with Civil's mum Georgette branding Amy "a cheat" while insisting that her son was faithful.

Source: http://news.google.com

Britain's first drama school for wannabe Bollywood stars

Agencies
Posted: Apr 13, 2009

Call it 'Slumdog Millionaire' effect or pure economics, but Britain's first acting school dedicated to nurturing talents for the popular Indian film industry, Bollywood, began classes with 13 students in the first batch. 

The Ealing Institute of Media set up by veteran Indian actor Anupam Kher welcomed its first batch of proteges, most of whom are giving up lucrative careers in law and finance to pursue their 'filmi' dreams. The course has been praised by Slumdog director Danny Boyle, who was invited to take a master class at the west London school. All the students are of British Asian origin, like 22-year-old Basit Kirmani. The Cambridge pass-out whose parents are from Pakistan, gave up a 25,000 pound a year position to study "Larger than life Acting, Melodrama, and Exaggeration", the ‘Telegraph’ reported. 

"Bollywood is part of who I am, I was 11 when I saw my first Bollywood film, and I've never forgotten it. My parents, who are from Pakistan, have reservations, but accept that I worked very hard at university," said the aspiring actor. 

"Bollywood has a magic they can't resist," said Anupam Kher who is known to British audiences for his work in films like 'Bend It Like Beckham' and 'Bride and Prejudice'. 

"We now get engineers and doctors auditioning. The view of these young people seems to be 'we have done what our parents wanted us to do. Now it is our turn,” said Kher. 

"Most drama schools don't take many Asians because, unlike Afro-Caribbean actors who have crossed over and now play a wide range of roles, Asians are still largely typecast as doctors, shopkeepers and, latterly, terrorists," said Adam Fahey, director of media at Ealing College. Model Sabeeka Imam, 23, believes that her greatest asset is her fluency in Urdu and Hindi. 

"I was bullied at school for speaking it, but I'm so thankful to my mother that she insisted we did," said Imam, whose parents are both doctors. 

The three month course which costs a good 4,000 pounds will teach students acting, dancing, martial arts and yoga. At the end of the course, each of the seven trainees will travel 4,500 miles from the Ealing Institute of Media to Kher's acting school in Bombay, where they will be introduced to contacts who can give them a headstart on the estimated 10,000 people who arrive in the city every day with dreams of stardom.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Goody's mother wants Jack Tweed to remarry

Agencies
Posted: Apr 13, 2009

Jade Goody's mother Jackiey Budden wants Jack Tweed to move on with life and remarry, saying that it was also Goody's wish. 

"Jade wanted him to move on. He was a good husband to her but she didn't expect him to grieve forever. Jack will get another girlfriend and maybe a wife. He will probably have his own children. He could have seven kids and I will be happy for him," said Budden who had earlier expressed her disapproval of the 21-year-old's wild ways. 

Goody had married Tweed in a lavish ceremony just seven weeks before she died after a very public battle with cervical cancer. Budden said that she fears that Tweed will be criticised if he moves on to another woman, reports ‘Daily Mail’ online. 

"He is only 21 and has his whole life ahead of him so I can't expect him to be single forever, and neither can anyone else. Whatever he does in the future, he will probably get slagged off and that isn't fair. I wish people would lay off him," said Budden. 

Tweed who has made regular visits to the reality TV star's grave had recently left an Easter egg at the site. 

Goody along with Budden and Tweed had participated in the celebrity version of 'Big Brother', but it ended up ruining her career as she received much public criticism for racially abusing fellow contestant, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty.

Source: http://news.google.com

'Hannah Montana' Tops Box Office With Record-Breaking Haul

Miley Cyrus' movie has highest opening ever for a G-rated, live-action film.

By Elisabeth Rappe

Apr 13, 2009

Easter weekend proved to be one for the girls, as Miley Cyrus' "Hannah Montana: The Movie" sang its way to the top spot with a debut of $34 million. Disney was unsure the pop star would be able to top her theatrical debut in "Hannah Montana/ Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour," which brought in an astonishing $31.1 million in only 683 theaters. Not only were those numbers easily beaten, but "Hannah Montana" now has the highest-grossing opening day for a G-rated, live-action movie in film history, and it ranks second among Easter-weekend debuts.

"Hannah Montana" wasn't the only one to break a record, as this Easter weekend was the highest-grossing to date, bringing in a total of $137 million. Helping with that number was last week's record-setter "Fast & Furious," which raked in another $28.8 million. While it dropped to #2, the film has had enough fuel to earn it a box-office total of $118 million in just 10 days. 

"Monsters vs. Aliens" dropped to #3 in its third week but held strong over the holiday with another $22.6 million and a monstrous box-office total of $141 million. Despite a heavy advertising campaign, "Observe and Report" didn't have a very heroic debut, clocking in at #4 with $11.1 million. Seth Rogen's dark comedy had a slightly better debut than his last headlining role in "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," but still not enough to topple monsters, aliens or Vin Diesel.

But Rogen's mall cop had a better debut than Son Goku, as "Dragonball Evolution" fell short of the top five. The anime adaptation came in at a weak #8 with only $4.7 million and will probably do better overseas, where it's already brought in $25 million. Instead, #5 belonged to "Knowing," which hung on against all newcomers for another $6.7 million, bringing its take to $68 million.

The weekend's top-grossing films are: 

1. Hannah Montana: The Movie, $34 million 

2. Fast & Furious, $28.8 million 

3. Monsters vs. Aliens, $22.6 million 

4. Observe and Report, $11.1 million 

5. Knowing, $6.7 million 

6. I Love You, Man, $6.4 million 

7. The Haunting in Connecticut, $5.7 million 

8. Dragonball: Evolution, $4.7 million 

9. Adventureland, $3.4 million 

10. Duplicity, $3 million

Source: http://www.mtv.com

Madonna still hopes to adopt Malawian child

BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP)

April 13, 2009

Madonna has told a newspaper in Malawi that she still wants to adopt a girl from the poor African nation despite legal obstacles, to educate her and empower her to help people in her country.The pop star told The Nation that she would appeal against a court ruling that she wasn't eligible to adopt a 3-year-old orphan, Chifundo "Mercy" James, because she hasn't lived in Malawi.

"I want to provide Mercy with a home, a loving family environment and the best education and health care possible," she said in an e-mailed response to questions from the newspaper.

"And it's my hope that she, like David, will one day return to Malawi and help the people of their country," Madonna told the Nation on Sunday.

On Monday, Madonna's office confirmed the interview and the quotes.

Madonna spotted both David and Mercy in an orphanage in 2006. She was able to leave the country immediately with David and the adoption is now final.But her plans to take Mercy with her last month foundered when Judge Esme Chombo said Madonna did not meet Malawi's strict definition of "resident." Noting that Madonna had last visited Malawi in 2008, the judge said the pop star "jetted into the country during the weekend just days prior to the hearing of this application."Malawi requires prospective parents to live in the country for 18 to 24 months while child welfare authorities assess their suitability — a rule that was bent when Madonna was allowed to take David to London in 2006. Madonna has two other children, Lourdes, 12, and Rocco, 8. No date has been set for a court hearing to appeal the judge's ruling.

Madonna said she could not say anything else before the ruling, but thanked her friends in Malawi and around the world for their support.Madonna runs a charity, Raising Malawi, to help feed, educate and provide medical care for some of the country's more than 1 million orphans, half of whom have lost parents to AIDS.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.google.com