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?