Cullum loved working with Eastwood

Jamie Cullum is eager to compose more music for films - but is worried any future endeavours won't compare to working with Clint Eastwood on Gran Torino

The musician wrote the main score for the 2008 drama, after the acclaimed director phoned him up to ask the favour personally.

And although Cullum is keen to write more for movies, he's concerned nothing will live up to the experience of working with Eastwood.

He says, "We ended up recording in his house, playing along to the film on a flatscreen TV. I couldn't believe it. Because after all, he is Clint Eastwood.

"I'd love to do more film work, but it's a bit difficult after working with Clint. I mean, it's a bit like having caviar as your very first grown-up meal." ~ LoveFilm

Sigourney Weaver to play lustful older woman

Weaver is embracing her 60s - by playing an older teacher who lusts after a man half her age in a new comedy.

The actress, who turned 60 in October (09), is currently working on Cedar Rapids, in which she portrays a veteran teacher who romances a 35-year-old former pupil, played by Ed Helms.

And she insists relationships between older women and younger men are actually quite common.

She says, "I play his grade-school science teacher that he had a crush on. Years later, we consummate our relationship and are going out." ~LoveFilm

Susan Boyle tipped to sing next James Bond tune

Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle could perform the next James Bond theme song, according to reports.

A number of official James Bond fan clubs have launched internet campaigns to get the Scottish star on the soundtrack of the film which is due out in 2011.

Monty Norman, who wrote the original Bond theme music, said Ms Boyle is his top choice for the 23rd film.

He added that movie bosses were likely to be considering the former karaoke singer from Blackburn, West Lothian.

Mr Norman said: "She's got the right kind of sweeping voice. I think Susan Boyle is great."

If selected, the 48-year-old will follow legends including Sir Paul McCartney, Tom Jones and Dame Shirley Bassey who have previously preformed theme tunes for the series of films, including Live and Let Die, Thunderball and Goldfinger.

The last James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, was released in 2008 and starred Daniel Craig as the iconic MI6 agent. ~LoveFilm.com

Brittney Murphy dead at 32

Brittney Murphy was found unconscious in the shower this morning by her mother. When paramedics arrived they determined she was in cardiac arrest and administered CPR. Murphy was rushed to Ceder Sinia where she was announced dead on arrival from what appears to be a heart attack.

The 32 year old actress is best known for her parts in Sin City, Girl Interrupted and 8 mile. Murphy died with 5 movies in production including comedy Shrinking Charlotte.

LA County Coroner’s is launching an investigation into Murphy’s death. The Coroner’s office will be picking up Murphy’s body from Cedars later today.

Brittney Murphy was married to British screenwriter and producer Simon Monjack. Brittany Murphy dated Ashton Kutcher, who was Murphy’s co-star in Just Married. She was also once engaged to talent manager Jeff Kwatinetz.

We watched Britney grow up on the silver screen from the awkward teen in “Clueless to the sultry siren in the photo below. She will truly be missed. ~by Bruce Owens

Nicolas Cage wins UN award for humanitarian work

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon presented the 45-year-old Oscar winner with the Global Citizen of the Year award for humanitarian endeavours.

Cage has also been appointed as a UN goodwill ambassador on drugs and crime.

The star said his role would be "to shine a spotlight on the need for global justice".

"My real life role as goodwill ambassador will certainly be even more challenging and meaningful than those I have portrayed on screen," he added.

"Nicolas Cage's characters have exposed us to some of the darkest aspects of human nature," said Antonio Maria Costa, executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

"Now he is championing one of the most noble - the quest for justice. His star status and strong conviction on these issues will help us achieve security and justice for all."

Cage, an Amnesty International advocate, has already donated $2 million (£1.2m) to establish a fund to help former child soldiers and also led a campaign around his film, Lord of War, to raise awareness about international arms control. ~ news.bbc.co.uk

Welcome to District 9, Johannesburg

Available on DVD at movies4africa from 7th December 2009

By Frances Suselo

What if a leaderless, malnourished alien race gets stranded on Planet Earth? What are we going to do with these visitors?

That is exactly the premise behind the new sci-fi District 9, which sees a gigantic alien spacecraft hovering over Johannesburg, unable to return to wherever it came from. Ill-equipped to deal with such an unprecedented arrival, the South African government decides to simply contain the non-humans in one specific area, called District 9. Over time, District 9 descends into chaos, crime and poverty (much like Soweto, the real-life slum in Johannesburg where the movie was shot). The government's knee-jerk reaction is to relocate the aliens (now derogatorily called "prawns") to another (bigger) area, District 10.

The poor sod responsible for the relocation operation is Wikus van de Merwe, a well-meaning but inept government bureaucrat. Though through no fault of his own, Wikus manages to get into serious trouble, and the MNU (Multi National United), a private military contractor, is then called to District 9 to make sure that all the "prawns" sign their eviction notices. Unsurprisingly, the men with weapons escalate the already tense situation, with disastrous consequences. ~ african-films.suite101.com

Barry Ronge gave this movie a 9/10 rating. What did you think?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Casablanca - 26 Nov 1942

The film premiered at the Hollywood Theater in New York City on November 26, 1942, to coincide with the Allied invasion of North Africa and the capture of Casablanca; it went into general release on January 23, 1943, to take advantage of the Casablanca conference, a high-level meeting between Churchill and Roosevelt in the city.

It was a substantial but not spectacular box-office success, taking $3.7 million on its initial U.S. release. Initial critical reaction was generally positive, but some reviews were less enthusiastic: The New Yorker rated it only "pretty tolerable".

At the 1943 Academy Awards, the film won three awards: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture.

The script, based on the unproduced play "Everybody Comes to Rick's" was purchased from authors Murray Burnett and Joan Alison by Warner Brothers for $20,000.

There has been anecdotal evidence that Casablanca may have made a deeper impression among film-lovers than within the professional movie-making establishment. In the November/December 1982 issue of American Film, Chuck Ross claimed that he retyped the screenplay to Casablanca, only changing the title back to "Everybody Comes to Rick's" and the name of the piano player to Dooley Wilson, and submitted it to 217 agencies. Eighty-five of them read it; of those, thirty-eight rejected it outright, thirty-three generally recognized it (but only eight specifically as Casablanca), three declared it commercially viable, and one suggested turning it into a novel.

By 1977, Casablanca was the most frequently broadcast film on American television.

Jennifer Hudson to star in Winnie Mandela film

Hollywood actress Jennifer Hudson is to play Nelson Mandela's ex-wife, Winnie, in a film about her life.

Variety magazine reported Hudson was thrilled about the role and has described Ms Madikizela-Mandela as a "powerful and extraordinary woman".

Ms Madikizela-Mandela played a vital role in freeing her husband after 27 years in jail but has since been linked to a murder and convicted of fraud.

South African film-maker Darrell Roodt will direct the film.

His work also includes world-renowned films Cry, The Beloved Country and Sarafina.

Hudson is the second international actor set to play a South African icon in recent months.

Hollywood is also preparing to release Invictus, a Clint Eastwood film about Mr Mandela in which US actor Morgan Freeman will play South Africa's first black president.

Nelson Mandela and Ms Madikizela-Mandela were divorced in 1996 - six years after his release from prison.

Her role in the release of her ex-husband is celebrated by many South Africans and she is still known as the "mother of the nation" but she is no stranger to controversy.

She was implicated in the kidnap and murder of young activist Stompie Seipei, who was believed to be an informer for the apartheid government - although she has always denied the charges.

She was convicted of theft and fraud in 2003. ~ news.bbc.co.uk

Johnny Depp to Bail Out Nicolas Cage?

By Erik Davis

To further prove that people with lots of money still care about people who used to have lots of money, The Daily Express reports that Johnny Depp may help bail actor Nicolas Cage out of his growing financial problems. Cage, as you may or may not know, is in some serious debt. He's already had two of his homes go into foreclosure, he owes something like $6 million in back taxes and he's currently suing his former business manager for $20 million claiming he sent "him down a path toward financial ruin."

Now, though, things may be looking up for Cage as Depp could be coming to his rescue. The Daily Express says that Depp has contacted Cage and told him not to worry, that he'll sort everything out. Why Depp, you ask? Isn't that sorta random? What, was Depp a big fan of Con Air or something? Actually, no -- Depp feels like he owes his career to Cage in a way since Cage reportedly recommended Depp to his agent way back in the day when Depp was a struggling musician. The story goes that Cage's recommendation led to Depp nabbing a role in the original Nightmare on Elm Street (his first), and the rest is history.

So, is Johnny Depp really going to pony up some crazy cash to bail Nicolas Cage out of trouble? And can Hollywood somehow find a way to turn that into a movie with both power actors starring opposite one another? And would you go to see it?

Charlize Theron and Viggo Mortensen Hit 'The Road'

Charlize Theron and Viggo Mortensen reflect on life at the American Film Institute's premiere of 'The Road' on 4th November in Los Angeles.

Based on the Cormac McCarthy tale of a widower (Viggo) and his son (Kodi Smit-McPhee), the movie follows the two as they struggle to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Viggo, who was honored by the AFI at the event, said of his young co-star, "I felt such affection for the boy who I didn't know before this. Now he is like my son."

Reflecting on what he gained by portraying this role, Viggo said, "I think telling the story made me value just being alive and having family members who are alive, having friends. It's a simple thing, really, but it's like in any work of art, great painting, piece of music, a movie, that in the end tells you something that you already knew...A movie that tells you that and earns that like this one does, it's worth its weight in gold."

Charlize, who plays his deceased wife, said she "really responded to the book." It "made me realize that even given the worst case scenario, that there's great hope in us as human people and we can't forget that," said the actress.

'The Road' opens in theaters abroad on November 25.~ www.etonline.com

George Clooney May Go Sideways With The Descendants

By Josh Tyler

George Clooney is dipping his toe into the world of mildly amusing yet moving Fox Searchlight movies. You know the type, it’s the Little Miss Sunshine genre in which an eccentric group of characters undertakes some sort of journey, laughs are had and lessons are learned. Clooney’s version may come from Alexander Payne who, as the former director of Sideways, is no stranger to smile-worthy movies.

Payne’s movie is called The Descendants and Variety says Clooney’s only circling the project. That either means he’s still in the decision phase, or it means the projects dead and he’s planning to swoop down and gobble up the remains. I’m betting it’s the former.

So what’s it about? If he jumps on board Clooney will star as a wealthy landowner who takes his two daughters on the search for his wife’s lover. You’d think this must be a period movie, since I can’t think of any other reason to refer to any modern man as a “wealthy landowner”, but in fact the way Amazon describes the book it’s based on, it would seem not. I mean technically Donald Trump is a “wealthy landowner”, but wig-wearing douchebag seems so much more appropriate.

In theory Clooney and his kids are on this trip because he wants to keep their family together. But I’ll be damned if I can imagine any scenario in which confronting the man your wife is cheating on you with while your daughters are present results in anything but a couple of scarred kids, a lot of therapy bills, and a divorce. Maybe the world works differently when you’re a wig-wearing douche… I mean wealthy landowner. Hopefully they have the good sense to bring a grumpy yet lovable grandfather along to offer sage advice. I’m also envisioning some sort of lovable family dog. Maybe a pug?

Robert Downey Jr. And Ben Stiller Turned Down Oscar Hosting Gig

By Katey Rich

The hunt for an Oscar host trudges on. Hugh Jackman has officially turned down the chance to do the gig a second time, Ricky Gervais is tied up hosting the Golden Globes, and now Nikki Finke is reporting that producers Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman sent out an offer to Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr. to host as a duo. As incredible as that pairing would have been, they said no.

Can't blame 'em, really-- hosting the Oscars is a thankless job that comes with a lot of criticism, and with Downey starring both in December's Sherlock Holmes and next May's Iron Man 2, he's running a real risk of overexposure. Stiller might actually have more reason to go for it-- his star isn't shining as brightly as Downey Jr.'s these days, and he isn't as likely to wind up gunning for an Oscar in the coming years, meaning he could take more potshots without caring about who he offends. But my guess is Stiller wouldn't get the job without Downey Jr., and RDJ would rather only don the tuxedo as Tony Stark.

There's one bit of good news out of this, though-- the fact that Shankman and Mechanic considered these two at all suggests they're heading in a younger, hipper direction. Sorry to everyone who thinks Billy Crystal should be resurrected as a host; it seems likelier that Tina Fey or Stephen Colbert would get the gig.

31st October - Halloween Collection

For the benefit of all our customers we have compiled a special listing of “Best Halloween Movies” of all time.

The list is accessible on our www.movies4africa.co.za website, from the BROWSE Movies Menu, and is available to existing account holder’s only.

Don’t delay, Sign-Up today! The selection contains the best of the crop from 1939 through to the 2009 and will delight all tastes from horror to comedy and all age groups from adult to kid’s animation.

Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince

Goofs:

Continuity: During the scene in which Harry consumes the Felix Felicis, he empties the entire vial into his mouth. However, in the following shot when he is holding the vial between his hands and is speaking to Hermione and Ron, the vial is completely full with the stopper still on.

Revealing mistakes: During the quidditch match, when Ron is celebrating a save, the wind blows his robes and you can clearly see the bicycle-like seat attached to his broom.

Continuity: In the last scenes of Dumbledore in the tower his beard was untied then a few seconds later was tied for the remainder of the scene.

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: The movie shows the destruction of the Millennium Bridge in London. The events in this part of the movie occurred mid-1996. The bridge's construction began late 1999. But while the books take place in the 1990s, no such time line has ever been given in the movies.

Available to rent at movies4africa on the 16/11/2009.

Like to hear more goofs? Post your comment today!

Robert Pattison to be Cast as Prince Harry?!?

One of the most unexpected casting rumours going around is that Robert Pattison who played Edward Cullen in "Twilight" is up for the role of royalty in an upcoming movie about Prince Harry.

According to UK's OK! Weekly, the Twilight saga star and Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint are vying for the lead in "The Spare", a film that will cover the life of the prince, most notably his reaction to the death of his mother and his time spent in the army.


Robert Pattison as Prince Harry
and CharlizeTheron as Chelsy Devy?
What do you think?

Shooting will begin next year in England and the Middle East.

While Pattinson and Grint supposedly battle over the role, no word yet on who might play Chelsy Davy. Perhaps our home bred Charlize Theron would do us the honour? Got any other other suggestions?

MGM need money more than fame

What's more important, fame or money?

For debt-ridden MGM, the answer is money.

One of the biggest and most well-known movie studios out there is Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, or MGM, known for its classic logo with the lion roaring during the opening credits - an common introduction to many of our movies from the last 85 years.

Today, as the struggling studio launches the remake of the 1980 movie musical "Fame" — its first release in nine months and the only one for the remainder of the year — reports surfaced that MGM is begging its lenders to waive interest payments on its $3.7-billion debt until early next year.

MGM has a $250-million revolving-credit facility that matures in April and faces a debt payment of nearly $1 billion in June 2011, with the remainder due in 2012.

Until this weekend, MGM had not released a movie since last December's World War II drama "Valkyrie," starring Tom Cruise, and will have no other films in theaters before year's end.

Hanging in the balance is the fate of the 23rd installment of MGM's popular 007 Bond movie series and The Hobbit.

Part 1 of The Hobbit was expected to hit theaters in December, 2011, with Part 2 set to follow a year later in December, 2012.

A production and release date for Bond 23 has not been set yet.

What are your thoughts on MGM’s possible bankruptcy? Let us know in the comments below.

"Dirty Dancing" star Patrick Swayze dies age 57

From: AP Associated Press

By CHRISTY LEMIRE

LOS ANGELES – Patrick Swayze personified a particular kind of masculine grace both on and off screen, from his roles in films like "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost" to the way he carried himself in his long fight with pancreatic cancer.

Swayze died from the illness on Monday in Los Angeles, his publicist said. He was 57.

"Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months," Annett Wolf said in a statement Monday evening. She declined to give details.

Fans of the actor were saddened to learn in March 2008 that Swayze was suffering from an especially deadly form of cancer. He continued working despite the diagnosis, putting together a memoir with his wife and shooting "The Beast," an A&E drama series for which he had already made the pilot.

Swayze said he chose not to use painkillers while making "The Beast" because they would have taken the edge off his performance. The show drew a respectable 1.3 million viewers when the 13 episodes ran this year, but A&E said it reluctantly decided not to renew it for a second season.

When he first went public with the illness, some reports gave him only weeks to live, but his doctor said his situation was "considerably more optimistic" than that. Swayze acknowledged that time might be running out given the grim nature of the disease.

"I'd say five years is pretty wishful thinking," Swayze told ABC's Barbara Walters in early 2009. "Two years seems likely if you're going to believe statistics. I want to last until they find a cure, which means I'd better get a fire under it."

And that's exactly what he did. In February, Swayze wrote an op-ed piece in the Washington Post titled, "I'm Battling Cancer. How About Some Help, Congress?" in which he urged senators and representatives to vote for the maximum funding for the National Institutes of Health to fight cancer as part of the economic stimulus package.

He also appeared in the September 2008 live television event "Stand Up to Cancer," where he pleaded: "I keep dreaming of a future, a future with a long and healthy life, a life not lived in the shadow of cancer, but in the light. ... I dream that the word `cure' will no longer be followed by the words `is impossible.'"

Celebrities and fans inspired by Swayze's struggle poured out their condolences, including C. Thomas Howell, who costarred with Swayze in "The Outsiders," "Grandview U.S.A." and "Red Dawn."

"I have always had a special place in my heart for Patrick," he said. "While I was fortunate enough to work with him in three films, it was our passion for horses that forged a friendship between us that I treasure to this day."

Others used Twitter to express their sadness, and "Dirty Dancing" was a top trending topic Monday night, trailed by other Swayze films. Ghost

Demi Moore, who played Swayze's fiancee in "Ghost" wrote: "Patrick you are loved by so many and your light will forever shine in all of our lives." Moore's husband, Ashton Kutcher, tweeted: "RIP P Swayze" and linked to a YouTube clip of the actor poking fun at himself in a classic "Saturday Night Live" sketch, in which he played a wannabe Chippendales dancer alongside the corpulent — and frighteningly shirtless — Chris Farley.

Larry King wrote: "Patrick Swayze was a wonderful actor & a terrific guy. He put his heart in everything. He was an extraordinary fighter in his battle w Cancer." King added that he'd do a tribute to Swayze on his CNN program Tuesday night.

A three-time Golden Globe nominee, Swayze became a star with his performance as the misunderstood bad boy Johnny Castle in "Dirty Dancing." As the son of a choreographer who began his career in musical theater, he seemed a natural to play the role.

A coming-of-age romance starring Jennifer Grey as an idealistic young woman on vacation with her family and Swayze as the Catskills resort's sexy (and much older) dance instructor, the film made use of both his grace on his feet and his muscular physique.

It became an international phenomenon in the summer of 1987, spawning albums, an Oscar-winning hit song in "(I've Had) the Time of My Life," stage productions and a sequel, 2004's "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights," in which he made a cameo.

Swayze performed and co-wrote a song on the soundtrack, the ballad "She's Like the Wind," inspired by his wife, Lisa Niemi. The film also gave him the chance to utter the now-classic line, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner."

Road HouseSwayze followed up with the 1989 action flick "Road House", in which he played a bouncer at a rowdy bar. But it was his performance in 1990's "Ghost" that showed his vulnerable, sensitive side. He starred as a murdered man trying to communicate with his fiancee, with great frustration and longing, through a psychic played by Whoopi Goldberg.

"Ghost" provided yet another indelible musical moment: Swayze and Moore sensually molding pottery together to the strains of the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody." It also earned a best-picture nomination and a supporting-actress Oscar for Goldberg, who said she wouldn't have won if it weren't for Swayze.

"When I won my Academy Award, the only person I really thanked was Patrick," Goldberg said in March 2008 on the ABC daytime talk show "The View."

Swayze himself earned three Golden Globe nominations, for "Dirty Dancing," "Ghost" and 1995's "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar," which allowed him to toy with his masculine image. The role called for him to play a drag queen on a cross-country road trip alongside Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo.

His heartthrob status almost kept him from being considered for the role of Vida Boheme.

"I couldn't get seen on it because everyone viewed me as terminally heterosexually masculine-macho," he told The Associated Press then. But he transformed himself so completely that when his screen test was sent to Steven Spielberg, whose Amblin pictures produced "To Wong Foo," the director didn't recognize him.

Among his earlier films, Swayze was part of the star-studded lineup in Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel "The Outsiders," alongside Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Emilio Estevez and Diane Lane. Other '80s films included "Red Dawn," "Grandview U.S.A." and "Youngblood," once more with Lowe, as Canadian hockey teammates.

Donnie DarkoIn the '90s, he made such eclectic films as "Point Break" (1991) in which he played the leader of a band of bank-robbing surfers, and the family Western "Tall Tale" (1995) in which he starred as Pecos Bill. He appeared on the cover of People magazine as its "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1991, but his career tapered off toward the end of the 1990s, when he went to rehab for alcohol abuse. In 2001, he appeared in the cult favorite "Donnie Darko," and in 2003 he returned to the New York stage with "Chicago"; 2006 found him in the musical "Guys and Dolls" in London.

Swayze was born in 1952 in Houston, the son of Jesse Swayze and choreographer Patsy Swayze, whose films include "Urban Cowboy."

He played football but also was drawn to dance and theater, performing with the Feld, Joffrey and Harkness Ballets and appearing on Broadway as Danny Zuko in "Grease." He turned to acting in 1978 after a series of injuries.

Within a couple years of moving to Los Angeles, he made his debut in the roller-disco movie "Skatetown, U.S.A." The eclectic cast included Scott Baio, Flip Wilson, Maureen McCormack and Billy Barty.

Off-screen, he was an avid conservationist who was moved by his time in Africa to shine a light on "man's greed and absolute unwillingness to operate according to Mother Nature's laws," he told the AP in 2004.
Swayze was married since 1975 to Niemi, a fellow dancer who took lessons with his mother; they met when he was 19 and she was 15. A licensed pilot, Niemi would fly her husband from Los Angeles to Northern California for treatment at Stanford University Medical Center.

On the movies4africa website - Search: Swayze, actor - for a complete in-stock filmography.

Celebrities in The News

BACALL GETS HONORARY OSCAR

Academy Awards bosses will pay tribute to Hollywood legend LAUREN BACALL at a ceremony this year (09) - by presenting her with an honorary Oscar. The star was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars in 1996 but has never won an Academy Award for her screen performances.

She is among this year's recipients of an honorary statue, given to celebrate motion picture achievements not covered by existing Academy Awards.

Veteran director Roger Corman, who has produced more than 300 films in his career, and cinematographer Gordon Willis will also receive the award, announced by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday (10Sep09).

Board members also voted to present the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award to producer John Calley, whose movies include The Remains of the Day and The Da Vinci Code.

The prizes will be presented at the inaugural Governors Awards gala event in November (09).

From: Contact Music

NORTON TO RUN THE NEW YORK MARATHON WITH MAASAI MEN

Movie star EDWARD NORTON has signed up to run the New York Marathon after training for the big race with Maasai tribesmen in Africa.

The actor, 39, will hit the streets with three of the guys he trained with on 1 November (09).
He'll be running to raise awareness and funds for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, which aims to protect the east African grasslands which the Maasai tribe calls home.

One of his co-runners is safari guide Parashi Ntanin, who is so fast he could complete the marathon course in less than 150 minutes.

Norton, who was a champion rower at Yale University, is confident he'll complete the race, even though he's struggling with leg and knee pain.

He says, "I'm enjoying having a goal."

From: Contact Music

DAMON BRUSHES OFF FALSE DEATH REPORT

MATT DAMON killed off a sick report he had plunged to his death from the mountains of California on Thursday (10Sep09) - with a late night appearance on U.S. TV.

An inaccurate rumour alleging the Ocean's Eleven actor had slipped and fallen off the Palos Verdes mountains surfaced online on Thursday morning.

However, Damon showed fans he was alive and well during an appearance on The Late Show with David Letternam and laughed off the bogus claim.

He said, "I didn't know (I was dead), but I feel pretty good! I just heard this. It said that I was in the Palos Verdes mountains, I don't know where this is. The cause (of death) was unknown."
But taking a serious tone, the Hollywood star chastised the pranksters behind the stunt, admitting he was angered by the report because his friends and family could easily have taken the rumour as fact.
He added, "I'm actually really glad I'm on the show because I'd hate to think that one of my friends would read it and think (it's true)... I'm a little bit upset by this because it's a careless, reckless thing to do."

From: Contact Music

Are You Ready For Pirates 4? Johnny Depp Is!

You've got a wait ahead of you since the movie doesn't hit theaters for another three years.

However we can help you out by telling you the name of the film so you can stop referring to it as the fourth one.

Here it is: Pirates of the Caribbean: In Strange Waters!

The big announcement was made at the Walt Disney Co.'s D23 Expo in Anaheim, just as Johnny Depp himself surprised an audience of 5,000 people by appearing on stage, in full costume and character, as Captain Jack Sparrow!

Johnny arrived in style in a gliding replica of his famous Black Pearl ship and cracked jokes with the audience about rum and the tasty dish that appeared before him – Kermit the Frog –(Johnny) Jack joked: "probably tastes like chicken."

We're not going to lie - we're a bit jealous we couldn't have been there.

From: Perez Hilton

CRUZ TIRED OF PREGNANCY REPORTS

PENELOPE CRUZ has been forced to return baby gifts from family and friends in her native Spain - because she's not pregnant.
Reports suggesting the Oscar winner is expecting boyfriend Javier Bardem's baby have been flying around the Internet for weeks, but she insists they're wrong and she's not with child.

The 35-year-old walked out of a TV interview at the Toronto Film Festival in Canada on Thursday (10Sep09), when she was asked about the rumours, and now she's keen to set the story straight.
She says, "I start getting some presents from friends saying, 'Congratulations, you're pregnant.' And I say, 'No, I'm not, so I return the presents. It's amazing."

From: Contact Music

FARRELL CONFIRMS BABY NEWS

COLIN FARRELL has confirmed he's set to become a dad again.
Rumours have been swirling the Irish star's new girlfriend, his Ondine co-star Alicja Bachleda, is pregnant - and now Farrell has revealed the news is true at the Toronto Film Festival in Canada.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday evening (12Sep09), the In Bruges star refused to go into details, but said, "Yes," when asked if the baby news was for real.

Farrell, 33, and the Polish actress, 26, began dating earlier this year (09).

The Irishman has a five-year-old son, James, with his ex-girlfriend Kim Bordenave.

From: Contact Music

'Indiana Jones 5' in the Works!

Grab your fedora, whip and archaeologist garb -- Indiana Jones is ready for his next big screen adventure!

Harrison Ford told France's Le Figaro that he's ready to reprise his role as the outspoken professor-turned-hero for the fifth time -- if the script is right. "The story for the new 'Indiana Jones' is in the process of taking form," Ford explained. "Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and myself are agreed on what the fifth adventure will concern, and George is actively at work. If the script is good, I'll be very happy to put the costume on again."

In June, Harrison's "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystall Skull" co-star Shia LaBeouf - who played Indiana's son Mutt in the film - confirmed that Spielberg was hard at work on the next Indy installment, telling the BBC, "Steven's just said that he's cracked the story."

"Crystal Skull" has earned nearly $800M worldwide.

From: Extra TV

Jennifer Aniston Ready to Reveal Her Singing Voice

Jennifer Aniston will be singing and playing the guitar in an upcoming film, and she makes one guarantee about her big-screen musical debut: "I can carry a tune."

Aniston is both starring in and producing The Goree Girls – the story of a real-life 1940s-era country music group comprised of all-female prison inmates – and is currently honing her singing skills as the production prepares to roll in January.

From: People