Kids to shoot documentaries in order to raise awareness

IANS

New Delhi, April 22, 2009

Ever wondered how issues like climate change or environment conservation would be perceived by a child? PVR cinemas' 'Cineart' initiative launched Wednesday will provide for just that, by giving four kids a chance to film issues they believe are 'important.'

At a function to celebrate Earth Day (observed April 22), PVR Nest, the corporate social responsibility wing of the multiplex chain PVR Limited in association with Moser Baer, unveiled the 'Cineart' project for children. The aim of PVR Nest is to converge cinema and art.

"Movies are our passion and if we can teach the art to kids, then what better than this. Being a mother myself, I want my kids to feel free to express themselves and films are a great medium," Selena Bijli, trustee of PVR Nest and a mother of three told IANS.

Around 500 children aged 10-14 years from over 20 schools of Delhi participated at the event held Wednesday. After watching two special screenings, 'Nanook of the North' and 'Jeeyo Aur Jeene Do' at PVR Priya, Basant Lok in south Delhi, the kids were made to fill out feedback forms.
Four children will now be selected based on the forms to assess their creativity and line of thought, a PVR representative said.They will then be given training in film-making after which the kids will get a chance to get behind the camera and shoot their very own documentary film. Once made, these two-three minute films will be screened at PVR and in schools to raise awareness.

Besides the various public schools of the capital that participated, socially underprivileged children also took part in the celebration.Thirteen-year-old Gulaab Kumar was a rag picker till he joined NGO Katha's Katha Khajana school. Kumar was all for film-making but said he wanted to be in front of the camera rather than behind it.

"I want to become an actor once I grow up," he said with a grin.

Mahendra, 13, a resident of Vikaspuri, west Delhi was very enthusiastic after watching the screenings.

"I was very impressed with the film on global warming. It enhanced my knowledge and I really liked it. If I get the opportunity I want to make a film on global warming or water conservation," said Mahendra.

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Lindsay ‘spending every night with different man’

ANI
Posted: Apr 22, 2009

Lindsay Lohan has been spending time with ‘a different man every night’ following her break-up with Samantha Ronson, according to a friend. 

Friends of the ‘Mean Girls’ star say that the actress has been "a complete and utter wreck" since Ronson broke it off with her two weeks ago, and is drowning her sorrows in a sea of men, reports the ‘New York Post’. 

One friend said that some of the guys include ‘90210’ star Kellan Lutz -- who "has been out of town this week, but they are in constant contact” as well as British paparazzo Chris Jepson. 
According to a source, on April 15, Lohan and Jepson were inseparable at a Hollywood Hills house party.

They even went into a bathroom together and didn't come out for quite some time, the source added.Friends are terrified that Lohan is in a ‘meltdown’ situation and has no career to fall back on.

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

Filmmaker Mani Kaul is Osian's new festival director

IANS

New Delhi, April 22, 2009

Filmmaker Mani Kaul, who has made movies like "Uski Roti" (1970), "Duvidha" (1973), has taken over as the new director general of the Osian's-Cinefan Film Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema.

Kaul succeeds film historian Aruna Vasudev, who retired after the 10th edition of the fest last year.

"Irrespective of its independent or mainstream origin, we will strive for a dispassionate portrayal of new and bold cinema. Our programme will range from uncompromising experimentation in films, to an archival kind of cross reference between cinemas of the world, to an articulation of an emerging, thinking new stream cinema in India," Kaul said on the 11th edition of the fest in a statement released here Wednesday.

Kaul has also made critically-acclaimed films "Ashad Ka Ek Din" (1971) and "Idiot" (1992), among others.The 11th edition of the gala will be held July 17-26 at the Siri Fort Complex in the capital.

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Kareena postponed New York trip to celebrate her mother's birthday

By Subhash K. Jha Bollywood Hungama News Network

April 22, 2009

Kareena was supposed to leave for a month-long schedule of Rensil D'Silva's film. But she opted for a sudden change of plan. April 20 happened to be Kareena's mother's birthday. Mama as usual insisted that Kareena must not allow her work to suffer.

But while shooting an ad with Imtiaz Ali in Chandigarh two days prior to mom's birthday Kareena suddenly decided to make April 20 a special day for her mom.Quickly wrapping up her work in Chandigarh she rushed back to Mumbai, postponed her and Saif's trip to New York by a day to arrange a small family get-together over dinner at her swanky new place in Bandra.

Says Kareena, "It was just family for my Mom. That's the way she likes it. That's the way I wanted it to be. Yes, my dad was there too. And of course Saif. He's very much part of the family."

Reluctant to reveal any more detail about the magical evening, Kareena says, "My mom is my world. I'd do anything with her. Postponing mine and Saif's trip to NY was nothing. What did I give my mom? My time and my love. That's all she wants."Incidentally, Saif had the cozy gathering on Monday night in splits with his jokes anecdotes and mimicry.

Seeing him blend with the Kapoors at Kareena's mom's birthday, it is easy to see Saif is now the unofficial son-in-law of the family.

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Miley Cyrus supports gay marriages

ANI
Posted: Apr 22, 2009

Hollywood actress Miley Cyrus has given her nod to gay marriages, as she believes Jesus loves all and does not discriminate between gay people and straight people. 

Cyrus revealed her stance on being quizzed by blogger Perez Hilton, who reached out to top celebrities after attacking Miss California Carrie Prejean for her anti-gay marriage stance at the Miss USA pageant over the weekend. Hilton, who was judging the beauty contest, asked the Carrie for her thoughts on same sex marriage and was aghast when Prejean revealed she believed marriage should be between a man and a woman. After which he asked multifarious celebrities including Cyrus about their say on the whole issue. 

"Jesus loves you and your partner and wants you to know how much he cares! thats like a daddy not loving his lil boy cuz hes gay and that is wrong and very sad! like i said everyone deserves to be happy (sic),” ‘Contactmusic’ quoted Cyrus, as stating on her ‘Twitter’ page. On the other hand Shana Moakler, who was Carrie’s mentor before the pageant, revealed she was pretty upset by Carrie’s answer and is not in talking terms with her ever since. 

"I don’t know how you can call a gay man or woman your friend and not want them 2 have the same joys as yourself. In my family we believe in equal rights for all. I am sad and hurt,” Moakler stated on her Twitter page. 

"It's one thing to have an opinion - I am very opinionated and have dealt with backlash from it - it's another to alienate people who cared about u,” Moakler added.

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

Kareena dubs for her film with Shahid Kapoor

By Subhash K. Jha Bollywood Hungama News Network

April 22, 2009

Shooting for a snack ad in Chandigarh with one of her favourite directors Imtiaz Ali recently, Kareena Kapoor was one worried girl. Before she left for New York on April 20 for a month-long shoot of Rensil D'Silva's film, Kareena had to complete the dubbing for her over-fresh Kambakkht Ishq and woefully-stalled Milenge Milenge.

Close to collapse due to over-exertion and exhaustion, Kareena was determined to prove she's a thorough professional. Defying all the talk that she has been sidelining her only pending assignment with Shahid Kapoor, Kareena in fact was running in and out of the dubbing studio to complete the dubbing of Milenge Mienge before she left the country.

Sighing with fatigue Kareena says, "We're all professionals here. For me it doesn't matter who the leading man in Milenge Milenge is. For me what is important is that I made a commitment to two of my favourite people in the industry producer Boney Kapoor and director Satish Kaushik who've stood by me from the beginning of my career. How can I let them down? Boney wants a summer release for his film. I've to complete my dubbing before I leave."

Putting aside every waking moment Kareena is determined to complete her work on Milenge Milenge. "I'm running in and out of two dubbing studios. I've already completed most of the dubbing for both."The film is special because after Jab We Met this is the only time Kareena will be seen with Shahid Kapoor.

Says Kareena, "I know people have expectations from us individually and as a pair, and they won't be disappointed. It's a very sweet film. And not dated at all though it got delayed. I'm as proud of Milenge Milenge as I am of any of my films," ends Kareena.

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Madonna back to gym after horse accident

Agencies
Posted: Apr 22, 2009

It has been just fives days since she was hospitalised after a horse accident but it seems that superstar Madonna cannot keep away from her daily workout session. 

After taking a few days off from her gruelling gym schedule to recuperate from the accident, Madonna will be back to her gymming sessions to be in best of the shape, ‘Us’ magazine online reported. The 50-year-old was hospitalised on Saturday with minor injuries and bruises after falling off her horse at the Hamptons estate owned by celebrity photographer Steven Klein. 

"She's going to be fine. We're going to train tomorrow," star's trainer Tracy Anderson told the magazine. When it comes to working out, "We have our set training," Anderson added. 

"She's like a professional athlete. She can't mess around with her training. I mean, she has to be able to perform in front of 70,000 people who are sucking the life out of her, and she's singing and dancing. There are no shortcuts when you're training in that way." 

Talking about 'Material Girl' strict regime Anderson said the singer trains six days a week, two hours a day, absolutely."

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

Mariah Carey to celebrate wedding anniversary in Sin City

Agencies
Posted: Apr 22, 2009

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon will ring in their first wedding anniversary with a gala affair in Sin City, Las Vegas. 

The couple, who will complete one year of their marriage on April 30, have already started preparing for a star studded party, with invites being sent out to some of the biggest names in Hollywood and the music industry, reported ‘E!’ Online. Carey and Cannon will host a party at the Moon nightclub in Las Vegas, which will go on "until dawn". Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon eloped last year after a brief relationship that was kept under wraps and the wedding ceremony held in the Bahamas had caused tabloid headlines. The couple had earlier thrown a private party for close friends last month, to celebrate Carey's 40th birthday. 

Cannon had flown the chosen guests to Barbados on a private jet for the celebrations. Cannon had recently denied mounting rumors that he and Mariah were expecting their first child. 

"I think what it is, the public really wants us to have kids. We're going to do it and when we do it we're going to let you all know. But right now, we're trying to enjoy the newlywed aspect," the rapper-actor said during a interview.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Rihanna dating basketball star Andrew Bynum?

Agencies
Posted: Apr 22, 2009

R&B superstar Rihanna seems to have moved on from the Chris Brown fiasco, as latest reports suggest that the singer is dating basketball player Andrew Bynum. 

The rumoured couple were seen enjoying a dinner date at a restaurant in Beverly Hills last week and Rihanna had also attended a game where Bynum was playing, reported X 17, a celebrity website. The couple who left together after dinner were, "very couple-y and were sitting real close to each other in the car," a fellow diner told the website.This was the 21-year-old singer's first date since splitting from Chris Brown. Rihanna and Chris Brown had been dating for several months when it was reported in early February that the 19-year-old singer has been charged of domestic violence after assaulting Rihanna during a heated argument. After the incident the couple broke up, but reconciled within weeks. But the reunion did not go down well with the public, as it was seen by many as an act condoning violence against women. The lovers broke up again last month. 

Since their split, Chris Brown has been linked to 'Girlicious' singer Natalie Mejia, while Rihanna was earlier rumoured to be dating Wilmer Valderrama. 

No comment has been made by Rihanna's side regarding her rumoured fling with Andrew Bynum, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

It’s Game Over for Dancing’s Lawrence Taylor

Dancing with the Stars

Kelsey McNeal/ABC

April 22, 2009

It was Lawrence Taylor’s happiest night at the ballroom. The NFL legend was eliminated from Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday night, and his reaction was something to behold: He couldn’t stop smiling after his name was called by host Tom Bergeron.

“You’re the happiest guy to go home,” Bergeron quipped to Taylor moments before the show ended.“He can’t wait to get back onto the golf course,” Taylor’s partner, Edyta Sliwinska said, laughing.

Despite never getting into the dancing groove, Taylor says he has many fond memories and friendships he’ll take with him.

“I’ve done a lot of different things in my life and this is something I’m going to remember for the rest of my life,” Taylor said to PEOPLE after the show. “I had a great partner and the experience was something that was enjoyable.” 

Even better, Taylor says, was the by-product of weeks of dancing. He dropped 15 lbs., and hopes to maintain that weight loss when he returns home to Miami.There were no tears shed, just happiness for the 50-year-old who honored his commitment to the dancing show and to the fans that voted him back week after week. 

“I played golf with him this morning so that tells you we became good friends so I’m sad to see him go, but he’s ready to get back to the golf couse again,” Tony Dovolani says. “He’s a good man.”

The admiration is mutual. 

“These dancers here are world-class athletes and their work ethic, I am really shocked at how hard they work. I’m in better shape than I have been in three or four years,” Taylor said with a smile. “Not bad for 50, eh?”

Six couples remain in the competition, which resumes next Monday night on ABC. Each couple will perform one dance together and one group number — the tango or the mambo — which the judges will score. –Monica Rizzo

Source: http://tvwatch.people.com

Sanju's pappi-jhappi, cheap talks; yet to learn politics:Bhatt

Agencies
Posted: Apr 21, 2009

Accusing actor-turned-politician Sanjay Dutt of indulging in "cheap talks", Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said the film star has lot to learn about politics. 

Bhatt criticised Dutt for his remarks on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati during a recent election rally where the actor had allegedly said he was ready to give 'jadu ki jhappi (magical hug)' to the BSP leader. 

"Sanjay, who is still the same loving Sanju Baba for me, has started cheap talks such as puppi-jhappi (kiss and hug) since he joined politics," Bhatt told reporters here. 

"He (Dutt) has lot to learn about politics," Bhatt added. The filmmaker said he has deep respect for cine veteran Sunil Dutt "who made Bollywood globally famous after joining politics." Asked about film stars Shatrughan Sinha, Hema Malini and Vinod Khanna joining BJP, Bhatt said that their party may be communal but those who came into politics from cinema are secular in nature. 

"These people have came from cinema where no body talks about religion or cast. They never talk about communal hatred," he added. 

The noted filmmaker sought votes in favour of Congress during various public gatherings at different places as part of an election awareness campaign launched by 'Millat Bedari Muhim'.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

The 'Earth's' pull

Awe-inspiring footage makes Disney Documentary a pleasure

By Kenneth Turan, Film Critic 
April 22, 2009

It would be Pollyannaish to pretend that the documentary "Earth" is without its problems, but the bottom line is, difficulties be damned, it shouldn't be missed. What it does well is so remarkable that by the time the credits roll you likely won't want it to end.

The Walt Disney Co. is hoping people feel that way because it has got a lot invested in this documentary from a corporate point of view, so much so that it has promised to plant a tree in honor of every moviegoer who goes to see it. Hoping to recapture the audience it had in the 1950s with its "True-Life Adventures" films, Disney is using this doc to launch an entire new label, Disneynature, devoted to the call of the wild.

If the notion of eye-popping, state-of-the-art nature photography sounds familiar, that's because this film is the direct descendant of "Planet Earth," the astonishing 11-hour BBC series that went to more than 200 locations in 64 countries, played widely on the Discovery Channel and sold millions of DVDs.

In fact, though the framework and focus of the theatrical feature are different from the TV series, an estimated 60% of "Earth" footage has already been seen at home. Although this is not ideal, the reality is that so much of that footage is so compelling that it's a pleasure to see it again on a theatrical-size screen.

Yes, fans of the series will remember the great white shark leaping completely out of the water with a seal in its mouth, as well as aerial shots of caribou without number on their annual migration. There are vistas magnificent enough to give you vertigo, glimpses of a world that human beings rarely see, and experiencing them for a second time is hardly a hardship.

In keeping with the Disney approach, the nature photography this time around, co-directed by Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield and shot by some 60 cameramen, is focused on the trials of three animal families.

Up in the Arctic, a mother polar bear and her two cubs make an appearance and look for food in the barren snows. In Africa's considerably warmer Kalahari Desert, elephants fight off drought as they head for the promised lushness of the Okavango Delta. And, under the sea, a humpback whale and her calf navigate the 4,000-mile migration that is the longest of any for a marine mammal.

Though these three family groupings get star billing, "Earth" has room for other animals as well, including several kinds of birds, baboons for comic relief and all those caribou.

No matter what animals are on screen, the theme of "Earth" is always the struggle of the different species to find enough to eat and survive. In fact, it is the fang-and-claw stuff that is invariably most compelling and the infrared nighttime shots of a pride of lions making a rare attack on an elephant are riveting.

One of the interesting tensions in "Earth" is between the implacability of the animal world and Disney's determination to make a family film with a G rating.

So, while it is clear in several sequences that the end of an animal's life is seconds away, the film always cuts away before the actual coup de grâce is delivered.

Less successfully negotiated is the tenor of the voice-over delivered by James Earl Jones in what is definitely not his Darth Vader tone. Although the "Planet Earth" narration was crisp and to the point, the talk here is much too cutesy and anthropomorphic for its own good.

These unfortunate lines include describing baby elephants as being on "their first road trip with the family," a bird of paradise portrayed as "cleaning up for the big date tonight" and complimenting obedient polar bear cubs by comparing them to "human beings who don't always listen to their moms."

These frequent remarks are a constant irritant but they're not deal breakers. Even if you have to put cotton in your ears when you see "Earth," if you keep your eyes wide open you'll be amply rewarded.

kenneth.turan@latimes.com

Source: http://www.latimes.com

Lifetime Showcases 2009-10 Season

By Mansha Daswani
Published: April 22, 2009

NEW YORK: Lifetime Networks unveiled a slate of dramas, comedies, unscripted series and movies for the 2009-10 season at its Upfront presentation in New York yesterday, with a development slate that includes a comedy with Cybill Shepherd, an American adaptation of the British detective series Murder in Suburbia and a show based on the 1988 theatrical release Mystic Pizza.

Headlining Lifetime Television's fall season, meanwhile, is season six of Project Runway, which previously aired on Bravo. Now that the legal dispute with NBC Universal has been settled, Lifetime is slated to launch the new season August 20. Produced by The Weinstein Company and Bunim-Murray Productions, the show is back with Heidi Klum as host, Tim Gunn as mentor to the contestants and Michael Kors and Nina Garcia as judges. Airing Thursday nights at 10 p.m., the show leads into Models of the Runway at 11 p.m. The half-hour companion series focuses on the models of Project Runway. Also on the unscripted front, Cook Yourself Thin, based on the British series, premieres May 4, while DietTribe comes back for a second season later this year. 

Returning to the schedule, in its third season, is the channel's top-rated drama series Army Wives on June 7, while the comedy Rita Rocks will be back for a second outing in the fall. New to the slate, meanwhile, is the comedic drama Drop Dead Diva, rolling out July 12. The show was created by Josh Berman and executive-produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

Lifetime also presented a wide-ranging development slate. In comedy, pilots include Sherri, with Sherri Shepherd (The View, 30 Rock); The Valerie Bertinelli Project (working title), from writer/executive producer Dave Caplan (The Drew Carey Show); and Alligator Point, starring Cybill Shepherd (The L Word). The drama development slate features Mona Lisa Smile, based on the feature film of the same name; Mystic Pizza: Another Slice, a two-hour, back-door pilot based on the hit film and executive produced and written by Amy Holden Jones (Mystic Pizza, Indecent Proposal); Marry Me, a limited-run anthology series that starts with a couple who meets in the pilot and concludes with a wedding in the final episode from writer/executive producer Barbara Hall (Judging Amy, Joan of Arcadia); Queens of the Rodeo, a comedic drama; The Fallen (working title), based on T. Jefferson Parker’s novel of the same name, from executive producer McG (The OC, Charlie’s Angels); and Murder in Suburbia, formatted from the British series, written and executive produced by Jon Maas (True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet).

Unscripted series in development at Lifetime include Camping with the In-Laws; Deadbeat Dads, from executive producer JD Roth; Multiple Mayhem, a docu-soap about families with twins, triplets or more; Real Women/Real Lives; and Tough as Nails.

Lifetime is also showcasing a range of new TV movies and mini-series, with 12 originals to air by year's end. The slate includes Maneater, based on Gigi Levangie Grazer’s New York Times best-selling novel; Acceptance, with Joan Cusack; Georgia O’Keeffe, starring Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons; and Sorority Wars, featuring Courtney Thorne-Smith, Faith Ford and Lucy Hale. Lifetime has also acquired the feature film drama Personal Effects, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Ashton Kutcher. Looking ahead to 2010, Lifetime is currently in pre-production on At Risk and The Front, both based on best-selling works from crime writer Patricia Cornwell, and is developing the movie Unanswered Prayers, based on the hit Garth Brooks song, with the singer executive producing.

Source: http://www.worldscreen.com

Get Latest Headlines 'Slumdog Millionaire': Dad did not try to sell actress daughter

By Jeff Labrecque

Apr 22, 2009

Police in Mumbai, India, have concluded that Rafiq Qureshi did not attempt to sell his young daughter, Slumdog Millionaire actress Rubina Ali. "So far there is no evidence of any offense, hence there is no registration of complaint and no arrest," Nisar Tamboli, a senior police officer, informed Reuters. 

Qureshi, 36, had previously told People that a British newspaper story that he was prepared to place his 9-year-old up for adoption for $300,000 was a "lie made up by foreign journalists playing games with me."

Source: http://news-briefs.ew.com

'Terminator Salvation' Director McG Inspired By James Cameron's Films

'The first 'Terminator' picture ... scared the hell out of me, then I saw the second one and it made me want to be a director,' he says.

By Larry Carroll

April 22, 2009

Fill up that bucket of popcorn and order 64 ounces of your favorite soda — the summer movie season has nearly begun! As always, MTV News has it covered for you every which way with our annual Summer Movie Preview Week! Keep checking MTVNews.com all week for exclusive interviews and clips from "Terminator Salvation," "Harry Potter," "Star Trek," "Inglourious Basterds" and more.

HOLLYWOOD — Trying to wrap your head around the entire "Terminator" universe at this point would require the kind of robotic brain capacity that only Skynet could manufacture. So, with a mere four weeks before "Terminator Salvation" rewrites the record books at theaters nationwide, McG is only looking at James Cameron's two classic films when he says, "I'll be back."

"I felt like it was time for a new beginning," the "Charlie's Angels" filmmaker said of his decision to ignore 2003's "Rise of the Machines" and the recently canceled "Sarah Connor Chronicles" and instead create a companion piece to the first two films of the franchise. "I feel as though Jim Cameron finished the story after 'Terminator 2.' We respect the mythology of all three Terminator pictures that have come before us, but this is about the future war. And we only ever got a tiny peek at the world [after 'Judgment Day'] — I thought it would be a really interesting place to start, and therefore worthy of a jumping-off point to tell a new 'Terminator' story and begin again."

Aside from small cameos by Linda Hamilton and (possibly) Arnold Schwarzenegger, the new film has re-cast the apocalyptic battle with Christian Bale, Anton Yelchin, Common, Bryce Dallas Howard and the fast-rising Sam Worthington. 

"These are the films that have touched my life — I saw the first 'Terminator' picture and it scared the hell out of me, then I saw the second one and it made me want to be a director," McG remembered. "It's very important to me. I want to respect [the series] all the way and make sure that we are indeed mindful of what Jim Cameron put into motion." 

The director is also bringing some new killer machines along for the ride, of course — starting with the enormous monster glimpsed briefly in the film's trailer. "There's a Harvester in this picture that goes around collecting people," he explained. "This film is largely about Skynet ... Skynet has to harvest a lot of human beings, and therefore the Harvester. 

"We understand the mythology of Cyberdyne and Skynet, and the nature of everything coming online, and we respect the timelines — even though the time travel makes that a little confusing sometimes," McG said of all the "Terminator" story lines that have emerged over the past three decades. "But put most simply, the first film is about saving Sarah Connor and the second film is about saving John Connor. This film is about saving [Yelchin as] Kyle Reese. 

"Kyle Reese has to go back in time to protect and ultimately impregnate Sarah to give birth to John Connor who is ultimately going to save us all," McG said of what fans need to know heading into the new blockbuster. "That's the triangle of 'Terminator' mythology."

Source: http://www.mtv.com

Simon Cowell: Maybe his exit would be good for 'American Idol'?

By Michael Slezak / Apr 22, 2009

I recently put together an EW.com gallery looking at Simon Cowell's 12 meanest critiques from the first seven seasons of American Idol's semifinals/finals. But while I was recounting Simon's best zingers -- ones that conjured up images of sinking cruise ships and teenagers locked in their bedrooms and poodles in leather jackets -- a funny thing struck me: Somewhere between David Cook's confetti shower in May 2008 and the Rise and Fall of Bikini Girl earlier this year, the cranky British judge seems to have lost a lot of his mojo.

This isn't to say, of course, that Simon is approaching Randy Jackson levels of "for me for you" hackdom. But think about it: When was the last time Simon pulled out a sparkling one-liner durng a live critique -- one that went beyond the standard-operating "cruise ship"/"copycat"/"dreadful" template? And over the last couple seasons, hasn't he seemed more in lockstep with the producers' preordained favorites, and increasingly less willing to recognize great performances by the show's underdogs? Maybe the guy is not, as he keeps telling us (most recently in The New York Times), at the start of negotiations for even bigger bucks to keep him on Idol's slowly listing (but still totally dominant) warship? Maybe he's really and truly burnt out from juggling his stateside Idol work with his duties on Britain's Got Talent and X-Factor? And if that's the case, would it be such a bad thing if season 9 is Simon's last on the show?

I, for one, think Idol's heart would go on -- yes, it's a Celine Dion reference! -- without Mr. Cranky. To me, Idol has never been about the judges -- their disastrously annoying on-stage entrances this year have made that point abundantly clear -- but rather about the discovery of exciting new musical talent. I love seeing waitresses and pharmacy workers and single moms and chorus members from touring productions of Broadway shows get that seemingly impossible opportunity to make America fall in love with them. And I'm sure the show's producers can use the $36 million Simon reportedly makes on Idol annually to find another discerning, outspoken voice to keep the wheels churning, even if said vehicle only pulls in, say, 19 million viewers in future seasons, rather than the 25 or so million it draws now.

Source: http://popwatch.ew.com

"Hannah Montana" rises to top of album chart

By Keith Caulfield

Wed Apr 22, 2009

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - In its fourth week on the Billboard 200, the "Hannah Montana: The Movie" soundtrack reached No. 1 for the first time on Wednesday, becoming the third album from the Disney franchise to accomplish this feat.

The soundtrack to the recent box office champ sold 133,000 copies during the week ended April 19, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"Hannah Montana: the Movie" is the first soundtrack to top the Billboard 200 this year. Last year, three did the trick: "Juno," "Mamma Mia!" and "Twilight." The first and second volumes of the TV show's soundtracks hit No. 1 in 2006 and 2007, respectively.New at No. 2 was Day26's "Forever In a Day," which sold 113,000 copies. Day26's album is the made-on-MTV group's second effort, following its self-titled No. 1-debuting set from just over a year ago. That album started with 190,000 on its way to a cumulative sum of 387,000 in the U.S.Last week's champ, country combo Rascal Flatts' "Unstoppable" slipped to No. 3 with 107,000.

Los Angeles-based indie rock band Silversun Pickups scored the only other debut in the top 50 as "Swoon" arrived at No. 7 with a career-high sales week of 43,000. The group's first release, 2006's "Carnavas," peaked at No. 80, and its best sales week came in March 2007 when it sold nearly 10,000.

Elsewhere in the top 10, the "Twilight" soundtrack jumped four places to No. 4; the "Now 30" compilation held at No. 5; Jadakiss' "The Last Kiss" fell three to No. 6; Lady GaGa's "The Fame" rose two to No. 8; Jason Aldean's "Wide Open" dropped five to No. 9; and Taylor Swift's "Fearless" fell four to No. 10.

Overall album sales totaled 6.36 million units, down 18.8% from the previous week, and down 15.2% from the same week last year. Year-to-date album sales stand at 111.7 million units, down 12.3% compared to the same total at this point last year.

(Editing by Dean Gooodman at Reuters)

© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved

Source: http://www.reuters.com

Slumdog trust hires social worker for Rubina

Agencies
Posted: Apr 22, 2009

The 'Jai Ho' trust by the 'Slumdog Millionaire' filmmakers has hired a social worker to ensure the welfare of Rubina Ali Qureshi after her father allegedly tried to sell her for nearly USD 300,000. 

A British tabloid ‘News of The World’ had on Sunday claimed that Rubina's father Rafiq had tried to sell the nine-year-old to their reporters, who were posing as the agents of a wealthy Arab Sheikh during a sting operation. Rafiq has rubbished the report saying it was a conspiracy to "malign" him. The trust, which was established with financial support from the filmmakers to ensure the welfare of Rubina and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, said that it "is in regular contact with Rubina Ali and her family". Rubina and Azharuddin were plucked from a Mumbai slum to star as young Latika and Salim in the multiple- Oscar- winning film. 

"Danny (Boyle, the director) and I remain committed to working the trust and the family to secure Rubina's long-term best interests," Slumdog producer Christian Colson told ‘Us’ magazine in a statement yesterday. 

"The trust will support Rubina, her parents and responsible authorities to ensure that the rights and best interests of Rubina are protected," said Noshir H Dadrawala, one of the 'Jai Ho' trustees. 

"The trust is in regular contact with Rubina Ali and her family and has hired a social worker to assist in looking after her welfare and that of her co-star," Dadrawala further added. 

The social worker will periodically counsel the children and the family and ensure that they receives suitable accommodations and a fixed sum of money each month for living expenses. The trust will also cover the education costs for Rubina and her siblings and provides her with a lump sum of money after she turns 18 years old.

"Danny and I both fully support Dadrawala's comments," Colson added. Rubina still lives with her father Rafiq Qureshi and step-mother Munni in the slums of Mumbai. Her biological mother Khursheed had filed a complaint against Rafiq with the Nirmal Nagar police station in Mumbai after the tabloid report was published. Meanwhile, film's director Danny Boyle has requested the media to "consider the possible negative impacts of the recent media scrutiny of the nine-year-old Rubina" through the 'Jai Ho' trust, which was founded by the film's team to look after the welfare of the children. 

The Oscar-winning British filmmaker said the media should "assist in protecting her interest through sensitive reporting to limit further unnecessary exploitation her rights and interests," 'The Times’ Online reported. 

Boyle's comments come after a sting operation by a British taboild allegedly revealed that Rubina's father was planning to sell his daughter for USD 300,000 to its reporters, who posed as a wealthy Middle Eastern Family.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Mallika Sherawat honoured with her own milkshake at Millions of Milkshakes

By Bollywood Hungama News Network

April 22, 2009

Mallika Sherawat honoured with her own milkshake at Millions of Milkshakes

Source: http://www.bollywood.com

Becoming a film star in India has been a dream come true: Katrina

ANI
Posted: Apr 22, 2009

Born in Britain, speaks Hindi with an accent—Katrina Kaif is no close to the typical Bollywood actress but still she has made a mark in Indians’ hearts. 

The former model from Finchley, north London, Katrina arrived in Mumbai in 2003 and has played the lead in 10 films till date. After a disastrous start with ‘Boom’, she went on to give a string of hit films and has created her own niche in Bollywood. Earlier, she could not dance or sing and did not speak Hindi, but she reinvented herself to play girlfriends in commercial films. 

"I'm the girl in the tank top and the short skirt who you could take home to meet your mother," ‘The Telegraph’ quoted Katrina as saying. 

She added: "Becoming a film star in India has been a dream come true but you do always have to put on a performance, so sometimes it is good to get away. That's when I head back to London. I can walk down Finchley High Street and no one recognises me. I certainly can't do that in Mumbai or Delhi." But, after seven years of hard work she has no plans to leave it all behind to come back to Finchley. However, she has said she would consider the right British or American project, if offered. Recently, Katrina has been chosen as the face of India's first Barbie doll, which goes into production in September. 

She said that she felt "honoured" to be chosen as the face of the doll, which marks Mattel Toys'' 50th anniversary.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Shilpa Shetty shines in 'Hi! Living'

By Bollywood Hungama News Network

April 22, 2009

Now that the much awaited IPL has started in full swing, can Bollywood be far behind! Even though the cricket tournament isn't being held in India this year, it just hasn't failed to dilute the Indian populace into a frenzied sports driven mania. One can only wait and watch the 'resultant' of the marriage of Bollywood and cricket.

One such initial 'resultant' is in the form of the latest issue of 'Hi Living', which has got the Shilpa 'Miss Long Legs' Shetty, on the cover. Keeping up with the extreme pace of the game, Shilpa drapes herself in some exquisite clothing, thus raising the temperatures on field as well as off it! One must say that, the Shetty girl has really gone all out to promote her team 'Rajasthan Royals', with a music video et al.

Making this month's issue of 'Hi! Living' a must read is Shilpa Shetty and her style quotient that can give the even the most glamorous of the models a run for their moolah!

Source: http://www.bollywood.com