Avatar regains top spot in UK box office

James Cameron's blockbuster Avatar has climbed back to the top of the UK box office charts.

The sci-fi film, which was knocked off the top spot by Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel which took £5.9 million, bringing its UK box office total to £32.8 million.

Sherlock Holmes, Guy Ritchie's new film, moved up one place to claim the second position, netting £3.4 million.

Available to rent on the movies4africa website from April 10.

82nd Annual Academy Awards: Oscar Winners

This morning the speculation and debate came to an end when the 82nd Academy Awards sorted through the nominees and picked their winners. 

Below, the complete list of the 2010 winners. The Hurt Locker took the most Oscars coming away with a stunning six nominations in all. See all the results below:


BEST PICTURE: The Hurt Locker
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE: Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE: Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side

ACRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Mo'Nique - Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM: Up
ART DIRECTION: Avatar
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Avatar
COSTUME DESIGN: The Young Victoria
DIRECTING: The Hurt Locker
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: The Cove
DOCYMENTARY SHORT: Music by Prudence
FILM EDITING: The Hurt Locker
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos)
MAKEUP: Start Trek
MUSIC (Original Score): Up
MUSIC (Original Song): Crazy Heart
SHORT FILM (Animated): Logorama
SHORT FILM (Live Action): The New Tenants
SOUND EDITING: The Hurt Locker
SOUND MIXING: The Hurt Locker
VISUAL EFFECTS: Avatar
WRITING (Adapted Screenplay): Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire
WRITING: (Original Screenplay): The Hurt Locker

Bridget Jones heading to TV?

Bosses at American network NBC are reportedly in talks to bring Renee Zellweger's Bridget Jones character to TV in a new weekly show.

Rumours of a third installment in the movie series have been rife over the last few months - Zellweger has shrugged off the gossip insisting she knows nothing about a planned sequel, while her onscreen love interest Colin Firth has spoken out in favour of a follow-up.

And speculation about the future of the franchise has now turned to TV, following a deal between bosses at Working Title, the studio behind Bridget Jones, and U.S. network NBC.

President of NBC Universal International, Pete Smith, has said executives are working on a "reservoir" of content but refused to discuss specifics as film rights are still under discussion, but a Bridget Jones adaptation is said to be a top priority, according to the New York Post. ~ LoveFilm

Chinese author in Avatar copyright lawsuit bid

A Chinese writer is persevering with his threats to sue James Cameron over allegations the director based his blockbuster Avatar on a 1997 novel, even though officials at two courts have refused to submit the breach of copyright case.

Zhou Shaomou claims the plotlines in the sci-fi epic were lifted from his book, Tale Of The Blue Crows, which was published online.

He tells China Daily, "Eighty per cent of the plot and the key elements of Avatar are similar to my 1997 science fiction novel Tale Of The Blue Crows."

Shaomou has failed so far in his attempts to file a lawsuit in China, but the writer is persevering with his legal bid, and is seeking £96.9 million.

He adds, "I realise that no one knows me in China but I insist on fighting for my copyright. Over 10 million people have read my book over the internet.

We've just been informed, the official Rental Release for Avatar is expected on the 22nd April 2010.

Brad Pitt takes a bite out of vampire movie

Brad Pitt is sinking his teeth into the current vampire craze - he's teamed up with the makers of Twilight to revisit the undead in a new bloodsucker movie.

The Hollywood actor, who famously starred in 1994's Interview With The Vampire, is set to produce a new picture called Vlad, which tells the story of the young Count Dracula.

The movie will reportedly focus on Dracula as a young prince and incorporate the true tale of Vlad The Impaler, the Romanian ruler said to have inspired Bram Stoker's legendary vampire.

Pitt's Plan B production company has joined forces with Summit Entertainment, the studio behind the massively popular Twilight franchise, for the venture.

Famed music video director Anthony Mandler, who has worked with Rihanna, The Killers and Eminem, is said to be in negotiations to helm the picture, according to MovieHole.net. It is not yet know whether Pitt will take a starring role in the film. ~LoveFilm

Hugh Grant took panic pills during Music and Lyrics

Hugh Grant was doped up on anti-anxiety pills during the filming of Music And Lyrics - to combat his crippling panic attacks.

The actor has been candid about his chronic anxiety, which began when he made 1999's Notting Hill with Julia Roberts and became most severe while he was shooting the 2007 romantic comedy with Drew Barrymore.

Grant admits he was terrified of the disorder, and turned to powerful anti-anxiety medication lorazepam to get through the project.

He says, "I did the whole film full of lorazepam... It was scary.

"They've (the panic attacks) been growing over the years. There would always be two or three during a film and on Music and Lyrics I had a lot. I don't really know why. They would come and go during the easiest scenes. I'll go in there, rehearse, think it's going to be good and then suddenly they turn the camera round for a close-up and I freeze like a rabbit. It's humiliating and it's so bad I can barely speak so they have to throw the scene away."

He explains, "The one thing that did me some good was a bloke who said that when you have a panic attack, it's your natural adrenalin which you need to do the scene, but just a fraction too much.
"So if you just breathe and take it down a little you can do it. Just knowing that helped, so I got through this movie just about all right. Just." ~LoveFilm

Inglourious Basterds wins Shockwaves NME Award

Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds has taken the top prize at this year's Shockwaves NME Awards.

The movie was named the best film of 2009, ahead of In the Loop, the Twilight Saga: New Moon, 500 Days Of Summer and Where the Wild Things Are.

Starring Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz, the film tells the story of a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" who are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis.

Inglourious Basterds is also up for eight Oscars, including the best picture, best writing, best supporting actor and best director awards.~ LoveFilm

Last year, the London Film Critics' Circle awarded Tarantino with the Dilys Powell gong for excellence in cinema.

Jason Solomons, chairman of the circle's committee, said: "He is currently the most passionate and exciting director in America, always engaged with the future and the history of cinema, his life blood. His award is for daring to keep cinema fresh and vital as an art form."

Inglorious Basterds is now also available in Blu-Ray format on the movies4africa website. 

Clint Eastwood: 'I'm done acting'

Clint Eastwood has quit acting insisting he'll only come out of retirement if a script comes along that he can't turn down.

The movie great has announced last year's Gran Torino was his final film as a leading man - and he wants to spend the rest of his days behind the camera.

The star of many classics; Dirty Harry, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Escape from Alcatraz, The Enforcer, The Good the Bad and the Ugly, For a Few Dollars More, A Fistfull of Dollars, In the Line of Fire, True Crime, Space Cowboys, Million Dollar Baby  revealed, "I'm done... You never know where a good story comes from but I'm a senior here (and) you get to a certain stage and you think, 'Why not just stand behind the camera?'

"Nobody's fooling with you, nobody's wanting to put make-up, do you collar, all that kind of stuff."

Johnny Depp's shock at Bahamas' film award

Johnny Depp was stunned to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award by film bosses in the Bahamas in December 09.

The 46 year old, who made his debut in 1984 cult favourite A Nightmare On Elm Street, was handed the prestigious Career Achievement Award at the 2009 Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) in Nassau by Sean Connery.

Upon receiving the honour, Depp admitted he was "a little stupefied by the notion of winning awards," adding, "I'm amazed I get jobs after all this time".

Roger Moore returns to the big screen

Sir Roger Moore is returning to the big screen in a movie about the making of John Wayne movie The Quiet Man.

The Bond legend hasn't appeared in a film since 2002's Boat Trip, choosing instead to lend his famous voice to animated movies in recent years.

But Moore will take on double duties in the new project, acting as star and executive producer for the film - which will be set in 1950s Ireland, where Wayne and Maureen O'Hara shot their scenes for the popular 1952 movie.

He tells the Daily Express, "The opportunity to revisit the time when Hollywood arrived in Ireland to shoot, was simply too delicious to miss."

Matt Damon slimmed down after 'Matty Fatty' comment

Matt Damon realised it was time to shape up and trim down his waistline when his stepdaughter nicknamed him "Matty Fatty".

The Hollywood star piled on the pounds for recent roles in The Informant! and to portray South African rugby captain Francois Pienaar in the new Clint Eastwood movie, Invictus.

Damon confesses he didn't realise just how big he had gotten after filming on Invictus wrapped and was convinced his clothes had shrunk in the wash.

Even a quiet word of advice from his wife Luciana wasn't enough to send him running to the gym.

He says, "My wife thinks I have a condition: the opposite of anorexia. I look in the mirror and I think I look great.

"We had to go to some film function and I put on a suit. I put it on and it came up to (my forearm). I thought, 'That's strange, my suit's shrunk.' So I put on another one, and same thing. Third one, same again. So I said to my wife, 'Honey, this dry cleaner is no good. These suits were tailored for me.' And she's going,' OK, do you think maybe you put on about 30 pounds?'"

It was only when his stepdaughter Alexia poked fun at his weight that he decided to get fit - but not before suspecting his prankster pal George Clooney was behind his ill-fitting clothes.

He explains, "The situation resolved itself when I said to my stepdaughter, 'Come on, it's time for dinner.' And she goes, 'OK Matty Fatty!' Before, I thought it was more likely that George Clooney had hired someone to tailor my suits!"

"There Will Be Blood" named greatest film of the decade (before Avatar)

There Will Be Blood topped a magazine rundown to find the best movie of the 2000s.

The 2007 drama, which starred Daniel Day-Lewis and won two Academy Awards, was rated as the greatest film of the last ten years by experts at Total Film magazine.

The Dark Knight, released in 2008 and starring late actor Heath Ledger, was named Blockbuster of the Decade, while 2001 hit Donnie Darko was lauded as the top cult movie of the last ten years.

The publication's deputy editor, Jamie Graham, says, "The Total Film selections were designed to identify the films that have most shaped the landscape of modern mainstream cinema."

Avatar has since beaten all records but, more about that later.  

Jackson's "This Is It" tops DVD chart

Michael Jackson has scored another number one - the late King of Pop's This Is It film has topped America's DVD chart.

The documentary was put together using footage from the star's rehearsals ahead of his doomed London comeback concerts.

The cinema release of This Is It has grossed more than £103 million worldwide after it hit screens in October (09).

And now the DVD has followed suit, selling more than 1.2 million copies in its first week of release (ends31Jan10), according to The Hollywood Reporter. The music film saw off competition from Bruce Willis' sci-fi film Surrogates and horror sequel Saw VI in second and third places respectively.

Not being a huge fan of Michael Jackson nor his various escapades the movie was interesting and is well worth seeing.

Michael Douglas: 'Damon is smart to play my gay lover'

Michael Douglas has heaped praise on Matt Damon for agreeing to play his gay lover in a new biopic about flamboyant pianist Liberace.

Douglas will play the Polish-Italian musician in Steven Soderbergh's as-yet-untitled film, while Damon has been drafted in to play his boyfriend Scott Thorson.

And he commends Damon for balancing out his blockbuster films, including the Bourne trilogy, with more unusual projects like their upcoming collaboration.

He says, "I'm just going to get really comfortable so (my portrayal of Liberace) is not a caricature. Matt Damon's going to be my young lover. God bless Matt. He's right to take chances. It's smart to mix it up a bit and maintain the franchise and still get to do a picture that turns you on."

Liberace - real name Wladziu Valentino Liberace - was a huge star in the 1950s and 60s, famous for his showmanship and glittery suits.

He repeatedly refused to acknowledge his homosexuality, right up until his death from AIDS in 1987, at the age of 67 - even successfully suing a tabloid for suggesting he was gay. ~ LoveFilm

Anthony Hopkins bored by theatre

Sir Anthony Hopkins won't be returning to the stage anytime soon because he finds theatre work "boring".

The Silence Of The Lambs star got his big break as a thespian in London, working with acting greats - but he has no wish to tread the boards ever again.

He tells reporters, "It's boring to do the same role night after night in a theatre. I think it was Judy Dench who said the best thing about doing a play is getting the phone call from the director: 'They want you!' So you go on stage and think, 'This is it!' Then the reviews come in and, if they're decent, you go, 'God, I've got nine more weeks of this!'

"You go into the same routine: 'Can I have my keys to the dressing room? Any mail?' Then you go onstage and you've got cell phones going off in the audience and traffic outside passing by. I'd rather not (do it)."

Robert Pattinson: 'I'm not Spider-Man'

Robert Pattinson has laughed off rumours he's set to replace Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man but, insists he'd love to take over the lead role in the superhero series.

Maguire and director Sam Raimi recently quit the blockbuster franchise, and movie bosses subsequently announced plans to reboot the upcoming fourth film as a prequel.

The Twilight heart-throb was rumoured to be in the running to play the comic book hero, along with other actors including Zac Efron.

Pattinson insists Hollywood bosses have yet to approach him about the role, but he'd be tempted to take it if an offer appeared.

He says, "I don't think I am going to be playing Spider-Man, although I would quite like to do it."

Nicholson & Brosnan's kids team up onscreen

Jack Nicholson and Pierce Brosnan's offspring are following in their fathers' famous footsteps - the pair will star in a new biopic about a surfing shark-attack survivor.

Lorraine Nicholson, 19, and 26 year old Sean Brosnan will play the best friend and brother of teen wave-riding sensation Bethany Hamilton, who went back in the water just three weeks after a Great White bit off her arm.

They will support Hollywood newcomer Sophia Robb, who will take on the role of Hamilton in the movie, entitled Soul Surfer.

The actors have both previously landed small parts in a string of movies, but this is Nicholson's first full foray into film since stepping into the limelight as Miss Golden Globes at the 2007 ceremony.

Coroner: 'Murphy's death was preventable'

Brittany Murphy's death could have been prevented if she had only visited her doctor after falling ill with what she thought was a bout of influenza.

The 32-year-old Ramen Girl star passed away on 20 December (09) after suffering a cardiac arrest at her Hollywood Hills home.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office declared the actress' death accidental, listing community acquired pneumonia as the primary cause of death.

The coroners' report, which was released on Thursday (04Feb10), stated anaemia and "multiple drug intoxication" were also contributing factors.

And Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter claims Murphy could still have been alive today if she had sought the advice and treatment of a medical professional as soon as she fell ill last year.

He tells People.com, "This death could've been preventable. Murphy was planning on seeing a doctor, but she unfortunately passed away before she did. This was a case of a person with pneumonia who was anaemic, who was taking medication when she should've been getting medical treatment."

Anne Hathaway's Physics obsession

Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway is a secret geek - she spends her spare time studying Physics.

The Devil Wears Prada beauty admits she shuns fashion magazines and instead stocks up on books by legendary scientist Albert Einstein and Physics textbooks in a bid to better understand the universe.

She tells GQ magazine, "I'm interested in elementary particles. What I like thinking about is how time and space exist in the universe and how we understand it. Any spare time I have, I bury my head in a Physics textbook. I'm learning. I'm reading a lot about Einstein. I like theories. I want to understand string theory. I am dying for someone to explain quarks to me!"

Star Wars to go 3D?

Following the success of James Cameron's Avatar, there are rumours that George Lucas could release Star Wars in 3D.

Speaking to Access Hollywood, Lucas said he "liked" Avatar, adding that he can appreciate what Cameron went through to make the movie.

"I'm happy it's so successful, and worked very well in 3D. Haven't been a big fan of 3D, but that movie definitely improves in the field of 3D," he noted.

He added that he has been looking "for years and years and years" at ways of trying to turn the Star War installments into 3D but had not been able to see a solution.

"Technology hasn't been there. We've been struggling with it, but I think this will be a new impetus to make that happen," he revealed.

The first installment of the franchise Star Wars was released in 1977 and was followed by Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back in 1980. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi was released in 1983.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace was released in 1999, followed by Episode II - Attack of the Clones in 2002 and Episode III – Return of the Sith in 2005. ~ LoveFilm

Prankster George Clooney targets Reitman

Geroge Clooney, renowned for playing jokes on crew and castmates, strikes again at the recent Golden Globes ceremony sending writer/director Jason Reitman into a panic.

Reitman admits he was surprised to have escaped the actor's pranks - but soon realised he had become another one of Clooney's victims at the 17 January (10) awards show when his Golden Globe went missing.

The director says, "He never pranked anybody during the shoot of Up In The Air and we all felt a little hurt to be honest, and then the other night at the Golden Globes, he hid my Golden Globe!"

Winnie Mandela angry about planned biopic

Nelson Mandela's ex-wife Winnie is furious about plans for a new biopic of her life starring Jennifer Hudson because she was "never consulted" about the project.

Dreamgirls Oscar winner was unveiled as the lead in South African filmmaker Darrell J. Roodt's new movie Winnie, documenting her life and marriage to the former South African president.

But Winnie Mandela is "extremely concerned" about the proposed movie because she has not been approached to provide input.

In a letter sent from her attorney Bowman Gilfillan to the film producers, the legal adviser expresses his client's anger and disappointment at being left out of her own story.

He writes, "It is difficult to understand how a production bearing the name of an individual who has not been consulted at all could ever be appropriate or tell the full story of that individual's life as media reports suggest this production is intended to.

"This is certainly the case here, where our client has not responded to allegations and comment which have been made about her, precisely because she has sought to protect her sphere of personal privacy as best she can in extremely difficult and turbulent times."

Roodt's film has already stirred controversy in South Africa - members of a local actors' union hit out at Hudson's casting last month (Dec09), insisting an actor from Mandela's native country should have been cast as the title character in a movie so important to South Africa's history. ~ LoveFilm

Joaquin Phoenix resurfaces with new look

Actor-turned-rapper Joaquin Phoenix has resurfaced after months in the showbiz wilderness, stunning fans with a new clean-shaven look on the set of a new charity ad.

Joaquin quit Hollywood last year (09) to embark on a new career as a rapper, and was last seen sporting a scraggly beard during a series of bizarre TV and public appearances.

But, the beard was gone on Thursday night (21Jan10), when Phoenix joined ex-girlfriend Liv Tyler to tape a promotional ad for To Write Love on Her Arms.

The non-profit movement is dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.

Robert Pattinson spices up new film with sexy romps

Twilight hunk Robert Pattinson is set to test his sex symbol status in upcoming movie Bel Ami - his character enjoys racy romps with Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott-Thomas.

U.S. publication Life & Style has obtained a copy of the script, which leaves little to the imagination.

Pattinson, who plays journalist Georges Duroy in the film, climbs the social ladder by sleeping with a series of prominent women.

One of his sex encounters is a fiery romp with Ricci, another is a quickie with Thurman's Madeline, while Brit Scott Thomas' romp in the film is described by the publication as "rough and ravenous".

Golden Globe Awards 2010 - WINNERS

The winners of the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards were announced this morning at a star-studded ceremony held at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, hosted by Ricky Gervais.

Click on the handy links to view the movies4africa biographies, filmographies and in-stock movies, where titles are Coming Soon! or currently available to rent. We look forward to bringing you the remaining titles as soon as they become available! 

The full list of winners below:

BEST MOVIE (DRAMA)

Avatar

ACTOR (DRAMA)

Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart

ACTRESS (DRAMA)

Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side

BEST MUSICAL OR COMEDY

The Hangover

ACTOR (MUSICAL OR COMEDY)

Robert Downey, Jr. - Sherlock Holmes

ACTRESS (MUSICAL OR COMEDY)

Meryl Streep - Julie & Julia

FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM

The White Ribbon

ANIMATED FILM

Up

SUPPORTING ACTOR

Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Mo'Nique - Precious

DIRECTOR

James Cameron - Avatar

SCREENPLAY

Up in the Air

ORIGINAL SCORE

Michael Giacchino - Up

ORIGINAL SONG

"The Weary Kind" - Crazy Heart

Decil B Demille (lifetime achievement) Award

Martin Scorsese

Robert Pattinson to replace Maguire in Spider-Man 4?

Actor Robert Pattinson is set to swing into action to replace Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man 4, according to reports.

The Twilight hunk is reportedly the top choice with Columbia executives to star in the film, after Maguire pulled out last week (11 Jan 10) over a reported script issue.

Daily Variety claimed movie bosses are planning to make a prequel about Spider-Man and his alter-ego, Peter Parker, as a teenager instead - and Pattinson is the hot favourite to land the role, reports the Daily Mirror.

A source tells the publication, "The buzz in Hollywood is all about R-Patz as the hot, young thing being lined up to fill Tobey Maguire's shoes. It would be a hard act to follow as fans were traumatised at the news Tobey was going.

"His mild-mannered portrayal as Peter Parker and the transformation to Spider-Man kept millions of fans in the cinemas for the box-office smash. He also had great chemistry with Kirsten Dunst, who plays love interest Mary Jane."

But Pattinson faces tough competition for the coveted role - High School Musical star Zac Efron also has his eye on playing the web-slinger.

He says, "I don't know what the chances are to be honest. I assume they're pretty slim. It's a long-shot but if it came down to it, it'd be a dream come true. What young actor wouldn't?"

Sandra Bullock donates £625,000 to Haiti

Sandra Bullock has followed in the footsteps of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and George Clooney, donating £625,000 to help the victims of Tuesday's (12 Jan 10) Haiti earthquake.

The Miss Congeniality star has handed over the cash to the Doctors Without Borders' emergency operations in Port-Au-Prince, after seeing news coverage of the devastation the 7.0-magnitude quake caused. In a statement, she says, "I wanted to ensure that my donation would be used immediately to meet the needs of the Haitian people affected by this catastrophic event."

Earlier this week, Pitt & Jolie personally donated the same sum, while Clooney's Not On Our Watch charity has donated another £610,000.

Actress Emily Blunt has vowed to add her support to the two-hour Hope For Haiti telethon: "I'm going to be doing the thing that George is organising; the telethon. But I think, really, it's just about everyone needs to jump in. Everyone needs to get involved in whatever way they can.

Jackie Chan planning a musical?

Jackie Chan is planning to tell his life story through song and dance - the martial arts star is writing his own musical.

The Chinese action hero admits he's been a fan of American musicals since he was a kid, and now he's eager to complete one of his own - and share his inspiring rise to the top.

He explains, "I love The Sound of Music. When I was young, I didn't know English and I saw the whole movie.

"I'm planning to do I Am Jackie Chan: The Musical. I've got a very interesting background. I will talk about how I got into the film business... and how I've come to be today. It's a very interesting, classical musical."

Chubby Matt Damon, The Informant!

The sexy Matt Damon is trying to lose the extra pounds he gained for his role in the upcoming movie The Informant by taking up boxing, according to itv.com.

The 37-year-old actor, who was named People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive last year, has reportedly said: “Now I’m the Sexiest Man Alive’s chunky cousin! Losing weight is not fun; putting on weight is - because you get to eat whatever you like! For this movie I probably weighed 205 pounds, for Courage Under Fire I weighed 130 pounds.”

The Informant is a dark comedy thriller based on a true story and directed by Steven Soderbergh. The film will be available on DVD at movies4africa on the 15th February 2010.

Mamma Mia, UK's top grossing film of the decade

Musical comedy Mamma Mia was the UK's highest grossing film of the last decade, according to the Film Distributors' Association.

A report on the BBC's website shows that the big hits of the decade were adaptations of books, musicals and even a theme park ride.

Mamma Mia , based on the Abba musical, made nearly £70 million at the UK box office, with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone coming in second.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy occupied the next three spaces, with the Fellowship of the Ring coming third, followed by Return of the King and the Two Towers .

Bond film Casino Royale , starring Daniel Craig as OO7, took the sixth spot, while Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets followed in seventh place.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest occupied the eight spot, while another Bond film, Quantum of Solace followed at number nine.

Last year's summer hit Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince finished off the list. ~LoveFilm

Sandra Bullock, No.1 on the top ten actors list

Hollywood star Sandra Bullock is said to have been the biggest draw at the U.S. box office in 2009, according to a survey.

The actress appeared in three movies in the past 12 months - romantic comedy The Proposal, American football drama The Blind Side and a comedy All About Steve. Of these, only the first has been released on DVD in South Africa so far.

Bullock's popularity put her ahead of actors like Johnny Depp and George Clooney in the annual list by Quigley Publishing Company, which collates various pieces of information from cinema owners across the U.S.

The news tops a stellar year for the actress - she was also recently named Entertainment Weekly magazine's Entertainer of the Year, beating stars including Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift to the top spot.

The top 10 actors in 2009 are as follows:

1) Sandra Bullock
2) Johnny Depp
3) Matt Damon
4) George Clooney
5) Robert Downey Jr
6) Tom Hanks
7) Meryl Streep
8) Brad Pitt
9) Shia LaBeouf
10) Denzel Washington

Protests over Gibson's Mexican movie

Mel Gobson's new movie is already causing controversy in Mexico - relatives of inmates at a Veracruz jail have blasted plans to move prisoners to make way for the film shoot.

The Hollywood actor-turned-director has set his sights on filming at the Ignacio Allende prison in the eastern coastal city.

Veracruz state governor, Fidel Herrera Beltran, announced earlier this month (Dec09) that prisoners would be moved out of the jail to allow the film crew to work there.

Authorities previously planned to transfer inmates to a new prison in the town next year (10) - but families fear their loved ones will be sent to facilities across the country if the jail is not built in time.

Hundreds of family members launched demonstrations outside the prison on Monday (28Dec09) in a bid to stop the transfers until the new unit is ready. The 24-hour protest reportedly came to an end on Tuesday (29Dec09) after the prison's director announced he had received no orders to transfer inmates and vowed families would be informed if any prisoners are to be moved.

Gibson previously filmed his 2006 epic Apocalypto in Veracruz and subsequently handed local authorities a £690,000 donation to help build new homes for victims of 2005's Hurricane Stan. ~LoveFilm