Superiorpics.com: Entertainment News Friday, January 25, 2008

BOYZONE DETERMINED TO BE IN BETTER SHAPE THAN TAKE THAT

Irish boy band BOYZONE are determined to get in shape and revamp their image - so they can achieve the reunion success of pop group TAKE THAT.

BOYZONE

The Love Me For A Reason hitmakers are gearing up for a comeback tour - and have reportedly hired Batman actor Christian Bale's personal trainer in a bid to compete with their former Nineties peers, who have regained their status as hit-making heartthrobs since their 2006 reunion.

Boyzone member Mikey Graham says, "Yes, some of us have put on a few pounds over the past eight years. We know what we're up against with the likes of Take That back touring.

"But we're going to be trim and slim and we want to be bigger and better than before. I've been with the lads this afternoon and everything is going great. Of course things are different - it's slowly morphing into a new thing as we're men now, not boys."

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

SPEARS' UNCLE BLAMES BROTHER FOR SINGER'S TROUBLES

BRITNEY SPEARS' uncle blames the singer's father JAMIE for her reported battle with alcohol and drugs, because he was 'drunk all the time'.

LYNNE and JAMIE SPEARS at WomenRock! - LIFETIME Televsion Fifth Annual Signature Concert Arrivals, held at the Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, California - 28.09.04

William Spears - Jamie's 49-year-old brother - claims the pop star spent her childhood witnessing her family's drunken antics, and insists their boozy lifestyle is responsible for Britney's own reported struggle with the bottle.

He tells British newspaper The Sun, "Just about everyone in the Spears family is a drunk and Britney's dad Jamie was one of the worst.

"He would drink from daylight to night. Britney saw him drunk all the time...

"Britney grew up thinking it was alright to drink and that you can live with a drinking problem."

Jamie Spears checked into rehab in 2004 to kick his alcohol demons and an addiction to painkillers, while 26-year-old Britney had a brief stint at a drug rehabilitation facility in Antigua in February 2007.

William Spears, who lives in a camper van in the star's native Louisiana, is also a recovering addict and claims he has been sober for over four years. He has since been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

HILTON LAUDED AS 'GOOD SINGER'

One-time pop-star PARIS HILTON is a good singer - according to the co-stars of her new movie.

Paris Hilton has lunch at Le Petit Four restaurant, Los Angeles, California - 12.01.08

The star's eponymous 2006 album failed to win over the critics, but Repo! The Genetic Opera choreographer Tre Armstrong insists the socialite impressed him with her vocal prowess.

He says, "I was surprised that she could sing. Honest to God, I will never crack on Paris. I haven't. From what I hear from what they did, I like how she sounded."

And Armstrong isn't the only one praising Hilton's talents - R+B star Keyshia Cole, who appears alongside Hilton in Repo!, adds, "I like the way she sings. I do."

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

LEDGER FAMILY'S MOVING NEWSPAPER TRIBUTES TO TRAGIC STAR

HEATH LEDGER's family have paid tribute to the tragic actor in moving messages printed in a local Australian newspaper.

MICHELLE WILLIAMS and HEATH LEDGER

The Brokeback Mountain star, 28, was found dead in his New York apartment on Tuesday afternoon (22Jan08).

And various relatives have expressed their grief in postings in the death notices section of the West Australian on Friday (25Jan08).

His mother writes: "Our darling boy, special in so many ways to all of us. You knew you were so loved. You lived life with courage and daring and we are so grateful for the wonderful times we shared. We will be there for Matilda (his two-year-old daughter)."

His father Kim reminisces about their close bond, adding, "...No more chess games mate ...this is it, couldn't beat you anyway!

"We were one, in soul and commitment. Just... Father and Son..."

And his older sister Kate, who called Ledger by his nickname Roast, notes how she "can hardly breathe" just writing about her loss, but vows to "continue to talk with you everyday and love you just as if you were here".

Members of Ledger's family are expected to arrive in New York on Friday (25Jan08) to join the actor's ex-fiancee Michelle Williams and their daughter Matilda for a funeral service.

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

SPEARS' UNCLE: 'BRITNEY EXPERIMENTED WITH DRINK AND DRUGS YOUNG'

BRITNEY SPEARS' uncle isn't shocked by his niece's recent personal troubles - because she has reportedly been drinking and experimenting with drugs since her early teens.

Britney Spears pops in to Riteaid with her assistant to buy some make up. Los Angeles, California - 24.01.08

William Spears - the brother of the pop star's dad Jamie - claims the singer started drinking at the tender age of 13, and began smoking marijuana when she was just 14.

But the substance use got worse as she rose to superstardom, according to her uncle, and he even partook in one of her alleged drug binges.

He tells British newspaper The Sun: "I know she did cocaine on her 18th birthday - I was there. We were at a party in an apartment and I spotted her doing a line just before I did one. We smoked pot together too...

"She has tried just about everything - cocaine, crystal meth, ecstasy..."

And the 49-year-old welder fears Britney could be heading for an early grave like her grandmother Emma Jean, who committed suicide aged 31, if she doesn't seek professional help soon.

He adds, "I'm not just a family friend or someone who claims to know them. I was there every day, working with them. I have seen all the terrible things happen...

"Britney is in an unstable state of mind now and there is nothing anyone can do about it. She is not listening to anybody...

"If people think she has reached the bottom, they are very wrong. Suicide is the bottom line for Britney."

Related News:

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

MADONNA'S $12 MILLION HOME GYM

Pop superstar MADONNA has no plans to live in her latest $12 million (GBP6 million) property purchase - she's turned the London mansion into a gym.

Madonna leaving her house to use her newly bought gym next door. London, England - 24.01.08

The Hung Up hitmaker and her film director husband Guy Ritchie bought the 10-bedroom Georgian house next door to their current home last June (07) with plans to knocking through the divide in the two buildings to turn it into one extra-large mansion.

But the ambitious project was allegedly denied planning permission and the singer is now reported to have converted the spare building into her personal fitness centre to ensure her privacy.

Madonna currently exercises at her personal trainer, James D'Silva's studio in St John's Wood, but her fitness sessions have become so routine crowds of fans have begun to form outside the gym to catch a glimpse of the star as she arrives.

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

THE BANK JOB NEW SYNOPSIS

In Theaters March 7, 2008

Director: Roger Donaldson
Cast: Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows, James Faulkner, Daniel Mays, Stephen Campbell Moore
Synopsis: Inspired by the infamous 1971 robbery that took place at the Lloyds Bank in Marylebone London, LIONSGATE's ® THE BANK JOB stars Jason Statham (TRANSPORTER, SNATCH, CRANK, THE ITALIAN JOB) and Saffron Burrows (KLIMT, ENIGMA). The highly-charged heist thriller tautly interweaves high-level corruption, murder and sexual scandal in 1970s England.

A car dealer with a dodgy past and new family, Terry (Statham) has always avoided major-league scams. But when Martine (Burrows), a beautiful model from his old neighborhood, offers him a lead on a foolproof bank hit on London's Baker Street, Terry recognizes the opportunity of a lifetime. Martine targets a roomful of safe deposit boxes worth millions in cash and jewelry. But Terry and his crew don't realize the boxes also contain a treasure trove of dirty secrets - secrets that will thrust them into a deadly web of corruption and illicit scandal that spans London's criminal underworld, the highest echelons of the British government, and the Royal Family itself...the true story of a heist gone wrong...in all the right ways.

Directed by Roger Donaldson (NO WAY OUT, THIRTEEN DAYS, THE RECRUIT) and written by Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais (ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, FLUSHED AWAY), produced by Steven Chasman (TRANSPORTER 2) and Charles Roven (GET SMART, THE DARK KNIGHT); executive producers are George McIndoe, Ryan Kavanaugh, Alan Glazer and Christopher Mapp. THE BANK JOB also stars Richard Lintern (SYRIANA), Stephen Campbell Moore (THE HISTORY BOYS), Daniel Mays (ATONEMENT), Peter Bowles (FREEBIRD), Keeley Hawes (A COCK AND BULL STORY), Colin Salmon (DIE ANOTHER DAY, PUNISHER: WAR ZONE), Peter de Jersey (TV's "Holby City"), James Faulkner (COLOUR ME KUBRICK), Sharon Maughan (ANOTHER STAKEOUT), Alki David (THE FREEDIVER), Michael Jibson (FLYBOYS), Georgia Taylor (TV's "Coronation Street") and three-time Bafta® nominee David Suchet (TV's "Poirot").

Source: Specialopsmedia.com

| Friday, January 25, 2008

COMBS 'NOT CHANGING NAME'

LATEST: Hip-hop mogul SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS has denied reports he is set for a name change.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, Day 6 - " A Raisin In The Sun" premiere. Park City, Utah - 23.01.08

The rapper, 38, has changed his stage moniker five times since starting out in the music industry in 1988, but he reveals claims he wants to be known simply as Sean John - the name of his clothing and fragrance line - are inaccurate.

His representative tells MTV.com, "Recent reports of a name change are totally false, he is still Diddy.

"He is currently in 'Sean John' mode as the upcoming Sean John fashion show is scheduled for February 8 in New York..."

Combs has previously been nicknamed Puff Daddy, Puff, Puffy and P. Diddy, before shortening it to Diddy in 2005.

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

TOY STORY TRIO GOES 3-D

The Walt Disney Studios is taking the latest advances in digital 3-D technology 'to infinity & beyond' with ambitious plans to debut new Disney Digital 3-D™ versions of Disney-Pixar's 'Toy Story' on October 2, 2009 & 'Toy Story 2' on February 12, 2010.

it was announced by Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. Both of these beloved animated features are being newly converted to 3-D in advance of the June 18th, 2010 release of Disney-Pixar's "Toy Story 3," which is being produced as a 3-D motion picture and will represent the state-of-the-art for the genre. Veteran Pixar filmmaker Lee Unkrich (co-director "Toy Story 2") is directing.

Academy Award®-winning filmmaker John Lasseter (director of the first two "Toy Story" films and chief creative officer for Disney and Pixar Animation Studios) will personally oversee the creative side of the 3-D conversions for "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" with his acclaimed team of technical wizards handling all the necessary steps in the conversion process.

Commenting on the announcement, Cook said, "'We are committed to bringing moviegoers the best and most exciting 3-D movie experience, and we think they're going to love seeing Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and all the wonderful 'Toy Story' cast of characters in an eye popping and dazzling way. John Lasseter and the animation team are putting all their passion and hard work into making this the greatest 3-D experience yet, and we're excited to share their efforts with audiences everywhere."

Lasseter added, "The 'Toy Story' films and characters will always hold a very special place in our hearts and we're so excited to be bringing this landmark film back for audiences to enjoy in a whole new way thanks to the latest in 3-D technology. I am sure that this is going to be nothing short of fantastic and people are going to be blown away by the experience. With 'Toy Story 3' shaping up to be another great adventure for Buzz, Woody and the gang from Andy's room, we thought it would be great to let audiences experience the first two films all over again and in a brand new way. 3-D offers lots of great new possibilities for the art of animation and we will continue to use this new technology to tell our stories in the best possible way."

In converting "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" to state-of-the-art 3-D films, the technical team is retrieving all of the original digital elements and rebuilding them in 3-D.

Originally released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1995, "Toy Story" was the first feature film from Pixar Animation Studios and director John Lasseter. The film went on to receive Oscar® nominations for Original Score, Original Song, and Screenplay, and earned Lasseter a Special Achievement Award "for the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film." "Toy Story 2" was released in 1999, and reunited voice talents Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, in their roles as Woody and Buzz. The film became one of the most popular animated features of all time, and received an Academy Award® nomination for Original Song.

Source: Disney.com

| Friday, January 25, 2008

DODGY REUNITE TO PLAY BENEFIT GIG FOR EX-SMITH ROURKE

British band DODGY are reforming to play their first concert in a decade to raise money for a charity run by ex-THE SMITHS bassist ANDY ROURKE.

ANDY ROURKE performing live at the Manchester Versus Cancer Concert held at the Evening News Arena. Manchester, England - 28.01.06

The three-piece will stage their benefit gig for Rourke's Versus Cancer organisation at The Aftershow venue in Manchester, England on 23 February (08).

Boy Kill Boy, Example and The Paddingtons will also perform at the event, which is being organised by Embrace singer Danny McNamara.

Rourke says, "We're really excited to have The Aftershow on board and are massively grateful to Danny for organising such a huge aftershow party for us.

"It will be a fantastic end to a great day of music, and we're really pleased that this year we're able to get the public involved as well as the bands from the concert in celebrating with us."

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

EVA LONGORIA PARKER PROMOTES HER NEW FILM 'OVER HER DEAD BODY' AT THE CLARIDGES HOTEL

London, England - 24.01.08

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

LEDGER THANKS AUSSIE MEDIA IN HAUNTING VOICEMAIL

HEATH LEDGER made peace with Australian journalists his ex-fiancee MICHELLE WILLIAMS claimed had tortured the actor - just three weeks before his death.

HEATH LEDGER

The movie star left a voicemail message on The West Australian film editor Mark Naglazas' voicemail on 30 December (07) - just before leaving his native Australia, where he spent Christmas (07).

In the message, Ledger appeared to have accepted the media who once made his life a living hell - hunting him down for photos and squirting him with water pistols at film premieres.

He said, "I thought I'd ring up and just send some thanks out there to the peeps at The West Australian and (newspaper) The Sunday Times and everyone in Perth in general.

"I don't know whether it's a conscious thing or an unconscious thing, giving me space and respecting my privacy. It's just been awesome, and I've had the most beautiful time back here and being able to see all my friends and family, let alone the press and the people within the community of Perth, it's been so lovely.

"It's really enabled me to be a boy again from home and feel like I'd never left. Like I said, I'm not sure whether it's a conscious decision on the paper's part or not to kind of give me this space, but they have, and I truly, truly thank them for it, and it makes my life a life when I come back here."

Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment on Tuesday (22Jan08). The actor's body will be taken back to his native Perth for a funeral.

Related News:

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

JOLIE + HAVEN TO MARK MUM'S DEATH WITH CANCER DONATION

ANGELINA JOLIE and her brother JAMES HAVEN will mark the first anniversary of their mother's death by making a sizeable donation to the Los Angeles hospital where she lost her battle with ovarian cancer.

Angelina Jolie and her brother James Haven picking up Maddox from school. Prague, Czech Republic - 11.05.07

Marcheline Bertrand passed away at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on 27 January (07) aged 56.

And Jolie and Haven plan to pay their respects to their beloved mother with a day-long vigil on Sunday (27Jan08) to commemorate her life.

The event will see Jolie take her four children - Maddox, six; Pax, four; Zahara, three, and biological daughter Shiloh, 19 months - to the L.A. hospital with her brother to hand over the money to the hospital's women's cancer research fund.

But Haven is said to be concerned about how the Tomb Raider star will cope with the emotional day.

A close family friend says, "James and Angelina adored their mother. They want this day to be solely dedicated to her memory.

"(But) Angie still weeps for her a lot and James has been saying how he's worried she will fall apart on Sunday."

Both siblings were close to Bertrand, but Jolie in particular struggled to come to terms with her mum's death and recently praised her boyfriend Brad Pitt for helping her through the trying time.

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

PHILLIPS STRUGGLING WITH DEATHS

Actress BIJOU PHILLIPS is struggling to cope with the deaths of BRAD RENFRO and HEATH LEDGER because both actors were too talented to die in their 20s.

BIJOU PHILLIPS

The Almost Famous star took off to the Sundance Film Festival in Utah in an effort to escape the tragedy of her "brother" Brad Renfro's death, only to be faced with the passing of another pal.

Speaking to MTV News at the festival, the actress said, "It's just crazy. Two young talented actors die in their sleep? It's just not cool. I don't know what's going on, but it's got to stop."

Phillips, who co-starred in three films with Renfro, insists his death - at 25 - has left her "devastated".

She adds, "Brad and I have been working together since we were 13. We've been hanging out with each other since we were little kids."

Renfro was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment last week (ends15Jan08), while Ledger's body was found in his New York home on Tuesday (22Jan08).

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

DEPP TO TAKE OVER FROM LEDGER IN FINAL FILM?

Director TERRY GILLIAM is determined to finish shooting HEATH LEDGER's last film THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS - with JOHNNY DEPP in his place.

JOHNNY DEPP

Filming on the set of the fantasy movie was allegedly abandoned following the death of the actor, who was found dead in his New York apartment on Tuesday afternoon (22Jan08).

But reports now claim Gilliam is keen to have the Pirates of the Caribbean star stand in for the tragic Ledger to complete the remaining scenes.

A studio source tells British newspaper The Sun, "There is a point in the film when Heath falls through a magic mirror. He could change into another character after that and that is where Johnny would come in.

"It's a weird, fantasy, time-travel movie so Heath's character could easily change appearance. It would be a poignant moment.

"Johnny's not working at the moment so everyone is praying he will do it."

Ledger was said to be less than two months away from wrapping filming on the movie.

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

BANDERAS MUST DEMOLISH SPANISH HOME

Hollywood star ANTONIO BANDERAS has been ordered to demolish part of his luxury $10 million (GBP5 million) mansion in Spain because it had been built illegally by the previous owner.

ANTONIO BANDERAS

The Mask of Zorro star - who is married to actress Melanie Griffith - lost a court bid earlier this week (ends25Jan08) after a judge in Malaga, southern Spain, ruled his beach-front property should never have won planning permission.

The decision was made as part of a government crackdown on illegal homes after officials discovered local councillors had been unlawfully reclassifying land in exchange for financial bribes.

Banderas must now knock down a 300 square foot (27.8 square metre) area of his home within the next eight weeks so that it complies with the country's laws.

The Latin hunk, who bought the property near Marbella in 1997, is expected to appeal the ruling.

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

GLADIATOR LACE ARRESTED

Former AMERICAN GLADIATOR star LACE has been arrested in California on drug charges.

The TV star - real name Marisa Pare - was taken into custody at Van Nuys jail on Thursday afternoon (24Jan08) after Los Angeles police officers found her in possession of narcotic paraphernalia.

She is being held on $250 (GBP125) bond.

Pare competed on the U.S. sporting game show from 1989 to 1992, reports TMZ.com.

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

ROCK RELEASED ON BAIL

LATEST: Rapper ROCK of hip-hop duo HELTAH SKELTAH is free on bail after posting $125,000 (GBP62,500) bond.

The star, also known as Da Rockness Monstah, was arrested last week (15Jan08) after a pimp - who had links to the infamous Bloods gang of the West Coast of America - was shot in New York.

Rock - real name Jamal Bush - was charged with attempted murder and assault charges in the first degree and remanded in custody after appearing in court on Friday (18Jan08).

But after being released from New York's Riker's Island jail on Thursday (24Jan08), the MC insisted he is innocent and believes his name will be cleared in due time.

His lawyer Kenneth Montgomery says, "Rock vehemently denies all charges and patiently awaits his day in court."

The rapper will be arraigned on the felony indictment in Brooklyn Supreme Court within the next few weeks.

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008

MASTA KILLA PRAISED FOR BEING ANIMAL-FRIENDLY

WU-TANG CLAN rapper MASTA KILLA has been honoured by youth animal rights organisation peta2 for his stance on animal cruelty.

The star was named Most Animal-Friendly Hip-Hop Artist by the offshoot of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) this week (ends25Jan08), beating peers Sage Francis, K-os and dead prez.

Masta Killa has previously said, "I'll do anything that's going to save animals. Anytime I can encourage people to think twice before (doing) anything to animals… that's a good thing."

The vegetarian rapper has previously appeared in a peta2 advertising campaign encouraging people to give up meat.

Source: WENN

| Friday, January 25, 2008