Steven Spielberg likes to make films the “old-fashioned way”

The ‘E.T.’ director began making movies as a child and believes many people can now make films by even using a mobile phone to shoot something, but he prefers older forms of filmmaking.

He said: “All kids have to do these days is take their cellphone, flip it open and make a movie, but I like the way it started. “It wasn’t a point-and-click art form, it was a craft. It involved solvents, photo-chemistry, cutting out poster board with industrial scissors and getting your fingers fused with Elmer’s glue.

“It was all homemade stuff. If I was a chef, a microwave would be my worst enemy. I would want to do it the old-fashioned way”. His love of cinema started when his father used to take a camera on holiday with them as a child.

He explained to Empire magazine: “My dad used to film our camping trips. He’d put the camera outside the window as we were driving along, and all you’d see was a blurring, brown motion of the Arizona desert streaking past. It got to the point where I begged him to be the videographer.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Amanda Tapping (born 28 August 1965 in Rochford, Essex) is an English-born Canadian actress, producer and director. She is best known for portraying Samantha Carter in Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. Currently she stars as Dr. Helen Magnus in the Syfy Channel series Sanctuary.

Amanda appeared in several television commercials and played a variety of roles in television and film productions, such as The Outer Limits and The X-Files. She also formed a comedy troupe, the “Random Acts”, with collaborators Katherine Jackson and Anne Marie Kerr, in Toronto in the early 1990s.

She is best known for her portrayal of Samantha Carter in the science fiction television series Stargate SG-1, which debuted in 1997. After SG-1 aired its final episode, Tapping reprised the role of Samantha Carter on Stargate Atlantis as the new commander of the Atlantis expedition.

In season five however, Tapping’s role on the show was reduced to that of “special guest-star” with only occasional appearances due to her choosing to focus attention on the development of a new series for Syfy called Sanctuary. The show consists of 26 episodes over 2 seasons, which expanded on an original show released on the internet in 2007 as a series of eight webisodes, where the bulk of the scenery and characters are entirely green screen and CGI creations. Tapping serves as both star and executive producer of the show. Sanctuary has been renewed for a third season due to air during fall of 2010. Amanda won a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Actress for her role in the short film Breakdown in 2007.

Source: Wikipedia

David Arquette — Moving … But Not Moving Out

David Arquette called a U-Haul truck to his home in Beverly Hills this morning … but TMZ has learned, it has nothing to do with his relationship with Courteney Cox.

We’re told David was moving a few mini-cars from his home to the theater at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood to prep for “Beacher’s Madhouse” – a variety show he’s heavily involved with.

Why the mini-cars?? Let’s just say the show features a bunch of mini-stars.

Source: TMZ

Shia LaBeouf has blasted his film ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ for “dropping the ball”

The actor felt the film – the fourth instalment in the adventures of the titular archaeologist, directed by Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg and also starring Harrison Ford – didn’t live up to the legacy of the previous movies.

Despite the film’s huge box office success – it took over £500 million – Shia was worried his current project ‘Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps’, the sequel to ‘Wall Street’, could suffer the same critical mauling.

He told The Sun newspaper: “I had already been involved in a movie where I felt we had dropped the ball on a legacy, and I was part of it.

“And then you jump into a situation with heavier hitters, just a stronger legacy. You drop the ball twice and it’s over for you.

“In ‘Indiana Jones…’ I felt sort of pigeon-holed. I didn’t have enough meat to chew on, and I was put there for reasons.

“It was like we were trying to enforce innocence on an audience that was not willing. You cannot enforce this.”

Shia is fast becoming one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors, but he is determined not to get complacent in his film choices and performances like some other stars.

He added: “I am not where I want to be at. And I hope I will never go to the (Robert) De Niro stage where I’ve gotten there and I am comfortable. Because that’s the death of an actor.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Ben Affleck was once mistaken for a bank robber

The actor-and-director was shooting scenes for his new movie ‘The Town’ - about a group of bank robbers in Boston – when he forgot he was still in costume and walked into a financial depository, terrifying the customers as he was holding a gun.

Ben – whose character dressed as a skeleton for the movie raids – said: “One day we were shooting near a bank and they wanted to keep the bank open for the day so we tried to accommodate them as best we could.

“And we had this scene where I have my mask on and a machine gun and Jeremy Renner is the same and we’re dragging Rebecca Hall into the van.

“I realised that I should start from inside the bank to give myself a place to cut so I went into the bank. I walked in wearing a skeleton mask, holding a machine gun and I have never seen true terror until that moment. Including from the security guard.”

However, the 38-year-old actor admitted that he only made things worse when he tried to calm one customer down.

He explained to US TV talk show host Jay Leno: “One lady just screamed so I took my mask off and went ‘It’s OK, it’s just me’ and that made her scream even louder!”

Ben also revealed that hiring criminals to take part in the movie in order to make it more realistic proved difficult on set.

He explained: “We had a lot of felons in the movie which caused problems when we were shooting scenes because they’re supposed to hold guns and stuff but they’re not allowed to.

“So we had to go to the federal judge and their probation officers. It turns out they take those laws very seriously.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Michael Bay’s Lawyer: Apologize, Or Else!

Michael Bay’s lawyer is red-faced angry over a lawsuit filed against him … alleging his bodyguard pistol-whipped two dudes outside a Hollywood nightclub.

Legal pit bull Marty Singer has fired off a letter — obtained by TMZ — to lawyers for the two alleged pistol-whipped dudes, claiming their lawsuit is “false and fabricated” and if it isn’t dismissed immediately … Singer will file a mega-suit of his own.

Singer claims Bay was not even at the nightclub in question on August 24, 2008.  What’s more, Singer says Bay has never had a bodyguard, so the whole thing is bogus.

But wait, there’s more.  Singer not only wants the lawsuit against Bay dismissed, he wants “a sincere public apology” for what he calls “malicious prosecution.”

Source: TMZ

Drew Barrymore (born February 22, 1975) is an American actress, film producer and film director. She is a member of the Barrymore family of American actors and granddaughter of John Barrymore. She first appeared in an advertisement when she was eleven months old. Barrymore made her film debut in Altered States in 1980. Afterwards, she starred in her breakout role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Drew quickly became one of Hollywood’s most recognized child actors, going on to establish herself in mainly comic roles.

Following a turbulent childhood which was marked by drug and alcohol abuse and two stints in rehab, she wrote the 1990 autobiography, Little Girl Lost. Drew successfully made the transition from child star to adult actress with a number of films including Poison Ivy, Bad Girls, Boys on the Side, and Everyone Says I Love You. Subsequently, she established herself in romantic comedies such as The Wedding Singer and Lucky You.

Drew and partner Nancy Juvonen formed the production company Flower Films in 1995, with its first production the 1999 Barrymore film Never Been Kissed. Flower Films has gone on to produce the Barrymore vehicle films Charlie’s Angels, 50 First Dates, and Music and Lyrics, as well as the cult film Donnie Darko. Drew’s more recent projects include He’s Just Not That into You, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and Everybody’s Fine. A recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Barrymore appeared on the cover of the 2007 People magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful issue.

Drew was named Ambassador Against Hunger for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Since then, she has donated over $1 million to the program. In 2007, Drew became both CoverGirl’s newest model and spokeswoman for the cosmetic and the face for Gucci’s newest jewelry line. In 2010, she was awarded the Screen Actors Guild Award and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film for her portrayal of Little Edie in Grey Gardens.

Source: Wikipedia

Montana Fishburne — Mom’s Got My Back

Montana Fishburne finally found out what her mother thinks about her becoming a XXX star – but she says it’s still radio silence from her dad Laurence Fishburne.

In the conversation — best described as uneasy, but supportive — Montana tells TMZ her mother said, “She loves me and is concerned and worried about me. She wants me to be ok and wants whatever is best for me.”

Mom is Hajna Moss-Fishburne – a former actress and current fitness trainer.

Montana is still trying to reach Laurence. She says he won’t call her back.

Source: TMZ

Salma Hayek (born September 2, 1966) is a Mexican actress, television director, and television and film producer. She is the first Mexican national to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. Salma is one of the most prominent Mexican figures in Hollywood since silent film actress Dolores del Río. She is also, after Fernanda Montenegro, the second of three Latin American actresses to achieve a Best Actress Oscar nomination.

At the age of 23, Salma landed the title role in Teresa (1989), a successful Mexican telenovela that made her a star in Mexico. In 1994, Hayek starred in the film El Callejón de los Milagros (Miracle Alley), which has won more awards than any other movie in the history of Mexican cinema. For her performance, Hayek was nominated for an Ariel Award.

Salma moved to Los Angeles, California in 1991 to study acting under Stella Adler. She had limited fluency in English, which was attributed to her suffering from dyslexia. Robert Rodriguez and his producer wife Elizabeth Avellan soon gave her the break she needed, a starring role opposite Antonio Banderas in 1995’s Desperado. The movie caught Hollywood’s attention, as moviegoers proved to be dazzled by Hayek as Rodriguez had been. Due to Salma’s loyalty to the director, she would later decline playing the role Catherine Zeta-Jones eventually took in The Mask of Zorro after Rodriguez abandoned the project. She also appeared in the Spy Kids trilogy.

Around 2000, Hayek founded film production company Ventanarosa, through which she produces film and television projects. Salma’s first feature as a producer was 1999’s El Coronel No Tiene Quien Le Escriba, Mexico’s official selection for submission for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars.

Source: Wikipedia

Dennis Hopper’s friends, loved-ones and co-stars have been paying tribute to the late actor.

The Hollywood legend - who passed away yesterday (29.05.10) aged 74, due to complications caused by his prostate cancer – has been praised by numerous celebrities friends who are keen to pay their respects to the screen star.

Dennis’ ‘Easy Rider‘ co-star Peter Fonda – who he also wrote the Oscar-nominated script with – admits he was “blessed” to know him.
He said: “Dennis introduced me to the world of Pop Art and ‘lost‘ films. We rode the highways of America and changed the way movies were made in Hollywood. I was blessed by his passion and friendship.”

Dennis’ ‘Hoosiers‘ co-star Gene Hackman admits he also felt privileged to work with the late star.
He said: “As an actor, one is always taken by someone who is different. An iconoclast, Dennis was an artist and I will always treasure having worked with him. He will be missed.”

Isabella Rossellini, who starred alongside Dennis in ‘Blue Velvet’, has revealed she was shocked by the late actor’s kindness.
She said: “When I first met Dennis on the set of ‘Blue Velvet‘, he had just come out of rehab. I was afraid of him, but Dennis turned out to be infinitely kind, compassionate and understanding. He had gone to hell and came back from it with great wisdom. It will take me a while to realise and accept he isn’t with us any longer.”

Former Guns N’ Roses rocker Slash was also quick to take to his twitter page in honour of the film star – who was also known for appearing in ‘Apocalypse Now‘ and ‘Rebel Without a Cause‘, as well as directing several movies.

He tweeted: “You take the great ones for granted until they’re gone. RIP Dennis Hopper.”

Actress Christina Applegate also wrote: “Sweet Dennis Hopper. Bless you for your gifts you gave us all these years.”
The actor was surrounded by family and friends for his final moments and dozens of bouquets of flowers are being left at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Dennis Hopper has died after losing his battle with prostate cancer.

The Hollywood legend passed away aged 74 due to complications caused by the disease at his home in Venice, California, at 8.15am today (29.05.10).

The actor was surrounded by family and friends for his final moments.

Hopper starred in a host of classic movies including ‘Easy Rider’, ‘Apocalypse Now’, ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ and ‘Blue Velvet’ and also directed several films.

He is survived by four children, adults Marin, Henry and Ruthiana and seven-year-old daughter Galen.

Hopper was married five times during his lifetime, and in the final months before his death he was embroiled in a bitter divorce battle with his wife of 14 years Victoria Duffy.

During the divorce Victoria alleged the actor’s three children from previous marriages had turned him against her and wanted her to be cut from his will.

The legal battle became so acrimonious Hopper applied for a court order to keep his 42-year-old spouse at least 10ft away from him to eliminate unnecessary stress.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Justin Bieber has been nominated for a Black Entertainment Television (BET) award.

The 16-year-old singer’s speedy rise to super-stardom, aided by R&B star Usher, has earned him a nod in the Best New Artist category at the upcoming ceremony, because he’s thought of as a “crossover” artist.

Stephen Hill, BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials, said: “Bieber has crossed the colour boundaries the same way that hip-hop has crossed the boundaries the other way for a number of years. He’s had rhythm in his music. He makes the type of music our audience likes.”

The awards – which generally only recognise black entertainers, singers, actors and athletes – will see Justin battle it out against fellow rising stars Nicki Minaj, B.o.B, Young Money and Melanie Fiona.

Rapper Jay-Z has the most nominations with five and will compete with wife Beyonce Knowles for Video of the Year, Best Collaboration and the Viewers’ Choice accolade.

Other nominees include Alicia Keys, Rihanna and Kanye West.

Queen Latifah is set to present the ceremony which will air live on June 27 from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards 2010 nominations:

Best Female R&B Artist:

Beyonce Knowles

Mary J. Blige

Melanie Fiona

Alicia Keys

Rihanna

Best Male R&B Artist:

Chris Brown

Raheem DeVaughn

Maxwell

Trey Songz

Usher

Best Gospel:

The Anointed Pace Sisters

Kirk Franklin Presents Artists United For Haiti

Tamela Mann

Marvin Sapp

Vickie Winans

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist:

Ester Dean

Lil Kim

Nicki Minaj

Rasheeda

Trina

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist:

B.o.B.

Drake

Fabolous

Jay-Z

Ludacris

Best Group:

Black Eyed Peas

Clipse

Diddy-Dirty Money

New Boyz

Young Money

Best New Artist:

Justin Bieber

Melanie Fiona

Nicki Minaj

Wale

Young Money

Best Collaboration:

Beyonce Knowles f/ Lady Gaga – ‘Video Phone’

B.o.B. f/ Bruno Mars – ‘Nothin’ On You’

Drake & Trey Songz – ‘Successful’

Drake f/ Lil Wayne, Kanye West & Eminem – ‘Forever’

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – ‘Empire State of Mind’

Trey Songz f/ Fabolous – ‘Say Aah’

Video of the Year:

Beyonce f/ Lady Gaga – ‘Video Phone’

B.o.B. f/ Bruno Mars – ‘Nothin’ On You’

Melanie Fiona – ‘It Kills Me’

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – ‘Empire State of Mind’

Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West – ‘Run This Town’

Video Director of the Year:

Benny Boom

Gil Green

Anthony Mandler

Chris Robinson

Hype Williams

Best Actress:

Taraji P. Henson

Regina King

Mo’Nique

Zoe Saldana

Gabourey Sidibe

Best Actor:

Quinton Aaron

Don Cheadle

Idris Elba

Jamie Foxx

Denzel Washington

Young Stars Award:

Selena Gomez

Lil JJ

Keke Palmer

Willow Smith

Tyler James Williams

Best Movie:

‘Avatar’

‘Law Abiding Citizen’

‘Michael Jackson’s This Is It’

‘Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire’

‘The Blindside’

Subway Sportswoman of the Year:

Tamika Catchings

Vanessa James

Candace Parker

Serena Williams

Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year:

Carmelo Anthony

Usain Bolt

Kobe Bryant

LeBron James

Tiger Woods

Viewers Choice Nominees:

Beyonce Knowles – ‘Sweet Dreams’

Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – ‘Empire State of Mind’

Monica – ‘Everything To Me’

Rihanna f/ Young Jeezy – ‘Hard’

Trey Songz f/ Fabolous – ‘Say Aah’

Young Money (Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda, Nicki Minaj, Jae Millz, Drake, Tyga) f/ Lloyd – ‘Bedrock’

Centric Award:

Melanie Fiona

Maxwell

Chrisette Michele

Monica

Sade

Best International Act:

Kojo Antwi (Ghana)

Chipmunk (UK)

Dizzee Rascal (UK)

Estelle (UK)

Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP) (South Africa)

K’NAAN (Somalia)

M.I. (Nigeria)

P-Square (Nigeria)

Corinne Bailey Rae (UK)

Sade (UK)

Source: BANG Showbiz

‘Water For Elephants‘ director Francis Lawrence earlier revealed that Hal Holbrook will play the older Jacob Jankowski. Recently he tweeted: “Just rehearsed under the big top with Marlena, Jacob, August and Rosie. Great to see everyone together.”

‘Water for Elephants’ is a historical novel by Sara Gruen. The story is told as a series of memories by Jacob Jankowski, a ninety or ninety-three year-old man. The novel’s protagonist is an old nursing home resident reminiscing on the time he spent as a circus veterinarian during the Great Depression.

The movie is set to be directed by Francis Lawrence, with production design by Jack Fisk. The film will star Robert Pattinson as Jacob Jankowski, Reese Witherspoon, and Christoph Waltz.

In 2007, Francis Lawrence directed ‘I Am Legend‘, starring Will Smith. The film was the seventh highest grossing film of 2007.

Russell Crowe couldn’t fight with his ‘Robin Hood’ director because he’s so “non-confrontational”.

The actor – who stars as the titular outlaw in the forthcoming big screen epic – can be argumentative on set at times, but had a great relationship with director Ridley Scott because he was such a calming influence.

He said: “It’s a common misconception, but we never argue. He’s non-confrontational! He wants the best f***ing idea and he wants it now. He said to me when we first met, ‘If you tell me a good idea in post-production that you sat on, I will hate you forever. I want all your ideas while I can do something about it.’ And he probably regretted doing that so often.

“At the end of the day, all Ridley wants to do is paint the canvas. If you give him all the bits and pieces and don’t get between the paint and the canvas, you’re going to be fine.”

Although the 45-year-old star – who famously fell out with a television producer at the 2002 BAFTAs and was involved in an altercation with a New York concierge in 2005 – has a reputation as a “Hollywood hardman” he is adamant it is an undeserved title.

He added to Britain’s GQ magazine: “People build this thing that isn’t real. I am always described as a Hollywood mad man, it’s just ridiculous. I know some hard men, and I am not a hard man. I’m a guy who likes poetry, who writes songs. I put make-up on for a living. Give me a break. If I was a hard man, I wouldn’t be any good at my job. In reality, actors are not intimidating. Actors are naturally garrulous. All the great actors I know play instruments.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The former “Survivor” producer — Bruce Beresford-Redman –  suspected of killing his wife may now lose custody of his kids, because his parents have now made their move to get permanent guardianship … TMZ has learned.

David and Juanita Beresford-Redman – who now have temporary guardianship — filed legal docs in L.A. County Superior Court asking to make them guardians of the two children permanent.  They say Bruce wants it that way.

David and Juanita — who filed papers without a lawyer — say they are retired and in good heath, they’ve had a relationship with Alec and Camilia since birth, and are “able to devote ourselves to the care and nurture of our grandchildren.”

David and Juanita say, “We are both well-educated, each with a masters degree … we will be able to address questions that arise from our grandchildren…”

Those questions will surely include the murder of their mother, Monica, in Mexico.  Bruce was detained but released and ordered to stay in the country pending the outcome of the investigation.

David and Juanita say their son is “assisting the Mexican authorities in matters concerning the murder.”

Source: TMZ

Tim Burton thinks Hollywood will cannibalise 3-D technology.

The director’s most recent big screen offering ‘Alice in Wonderland’ is in 3-D and although he is pleased with the results he is predicting a host of bad three dimensional movies in the coming months.

He said: “It’s true that 3-D is being hyped at the moment. It was different when we started working on ‘Alice in Wonderland’ a few years ago. I’m glad I started using it early on and wasn’t forced to shoot a film in 3-D at all costs, because everyone’s doing it now. We’re surely going to see a lot of bad 3-D films in the near future, because Hollywood cannibalises every recipe for success. That’s how the industry works.”

Despite his concerns at 3-D being overused, Tim finds the technology thrilling.

He added: “It’s a great thing when you use it as a technical tool and not as a wonder weapon.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The 51-year-old film director – who has a six-year-old son Billy and two-year-old daughter Nell with partner Helena Bonham Carter – claims to have had an experience with the supernatural, which he insists is not uncommon.

He said: “I’ve seen things and felt things. I think most people do. I think it’s just how much you suppress it. I don’t go out and say, ‘Oh, my god, I was abducted by a UFO,’ or, ‘I’ve seen these ghosts.’

“You feel an energy.”

The ‘Alice in Wonderland’ filmmaker also claims to find cemeteries “positive” places.

He added to Interview magazine: “Most people say about graveyards, ‘Oh, it’s just a bunch of dead people; it’s creepy.’ But for me, there’s an energy to it that is not creepy or dark. It has a positive sense to it.”

However, the eccentric filmmaker doesn’t believe anyone can force a spirit to reveal themselves.

He said: “I think anytime you try, it ain’t gonna happen. It always seems to occur when you’re sort of open but not thinking about it. I’ve never held a seance.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe was the highest paid actor in Hollywood in 2009.

The 20-year-old actor – who plays the title character in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise – was paid a staggering £25.6 million last year according to a list of the top 40 earners by Vanity Fair magazine, making him the most bankable actor in Hollywood – though not worth as much as leading directors..

‘Transformers’ movie maker Michael Bay at number one, with £79 million, and Steven Spielberg, 63, with £53 million, second. Roland Emmerich, James Cameron and Todd Phillips took the remaining places ahead of Daniel, who was sixth in the list.

Daniel – who has already used some of his earnings to build up a property portfolio in Britain and the US – also beat his co-star, Emma Watson, 19, who made £20 million.

The British actress – who plays Harry’s friend Hermione Granger in the movies – was one of only two women to make the list, with ‘Charlie’s Angels’ beauty Cameron Diaz ranked twentieth.

The Hogwarts actors and actresses are also set to have another couple of years worth of money heading their way with the next two films which will be released in November and July 2011.

The list of Hollywood earners was made based on factors such as up-front fees, box office gross percentages and other estimated revenue streams.

Other top stars to make the list included Ben Stiller in seventh place, Tom Hanks in eighth, Adam Sandler in the tenth spot and Denzel Washington a place behind him.

Daniel and Emma’s co-star Rupert Grint placed fifteenth in the list, while debt-ridden actor Nicolas Cage was ranked in seventeenth position.

Vanity Fair magazine’s Top Twenty Hollywood earners of 2009

1. Michael Bay – £125 million

2. Steven Spielberg – £85 million

3. Roland Emmerich – £70 million

4. James Cameron – £50 million

5. Todd Phillips – £44 million

6. Daniel Radcliffe – £41 million

7. Ben Stiller – £40 million

8. Tom Hanks – £36 million

9. J.J Abrams – £36 million

10. Jerry Bruckheimer – £35.5 million

11. Tyler Perry – £32.5 million

12. Adam Sandler – £31.5 million

13. Denzel Washington – £31 million

14. Emma Watson – £30 million

15. Rupert Grint – £30 million

16. Owen Wilson – £29 million

17. Nicholas Cage – £28 million

18. Russell Crowe – £28 million

19. Cameron Diaz – £27 million

20. Brian Grazer and Ron Howard – £25.5 million

The 41-year-old British director – whose 2002 movie ‘Swept Away’ starring his ex-wife Madonna, 51, flopped at the cinema and went straight to DVD in the UK – said he wasn’t upset by the critics, because you have to do some things wrong in order to know what works.

He said: “’Swept Away’ was always going to have a limited audience. The idea was that it was going to be a small film…  but you can’t do small films with the ex.”

The romantic comedy was a disaster at the box office, just like his 2005 film ‘Revolver’ which starred Jason Stratham, but Guy said he doesn’t take too much criticism on board, and in fact, ‘Revolver’ was still his favourite movie.

He said:  “I think on reflection it always will be. Celebrity culture can only be capricious and ephemeral, sometimes you are in synch with what everybody wants, sometimes you are not.”

Speaking to The Sunday Times newspaper, Guy said one of the best things about making his newest film, ‘Sherlock Holmes’ – starring Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. – was the huge £80 million budget he was given.

He said: “It was good having deep pockets, I never had deep pockets before.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The ‘Sherlock Holmes’ director – who has nine-year-old son Rocco and adopted Malawian son David Banda with ‘Celebration’ singer Madonna – is going all out to make the day “traditional” and special for the youngsters after his ex-wife gave permission for them to spend the day at his home.

A source said: “Guy is really pleased, and cannot quite believe he and Madonna came to such an amicable arrangement. He is a huge fan of Christmas and wants to do everything by the book, very traditionally.”

The British filmmaker is so determined to make the day memorable, he has promised to rustle up a delicious roast turkey lunch with all the trimmings and “spoilt them rotten”.

The source explained to the Daily Mirror newspaper: “This means stockings hanging from under the kids’ beds, presents under the tree and a massive turkey, Brussels sprouts, chestnuts, the works.

“When Guy and Madonna were together they didn’t really celebrate Christmas Day due to Madonna’s staunch Kabbalah beliefs. Now that he’s a single man, Guy is determined to spoil them rotten and give the youngsters a Christmas they’ll never forget.”

Madonna – who also has daughter Lourdes, 13, and four-year-old adopted daughter Mercy – and Guy announced they were to divorce in October 2008 after almost eight years of marriage.

It is not clear whether the girls will also be invited to Guy’s Christmas bash.

Guy’s attitude to Christmas is very different to when he was married to the ‘Holiday’ hitmaker.

In 2007 he revealed that the family didn’t give each other gifts.

He said at the time: “We cancelled Christmas a few years ago. Stopped all the presents. And ever since we stopped the presents, we’re actually enjoying it.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The 76-year-old film director has been released from jail in Switzerland and moved to another location for security reasons.

Polanski – who was arrested in September while attending a film festival in Zurich – was granted bail last week but remained in custody until he paid the full amount of $4.5 million.

A spokeswoman from the justice ministry said: “He will be taken to Gstaad on Friday and will arrive by 2pm.

“The bail money has been deposited and there are a few administrative procedures left to do.”

The £1,200 installation fee for the electronic monitoring and £120 monthly maintenance cost will be met by Polanski.

The filmmaker had had three previous bail attempts denied but authorities say they believe the high price he has posted will be enough to make him stick to the conditions of his house arrest.

In 1977, he pleaded guilty to charges of having underage sex with 13-year-old Samantha Gailey, now known as Samantha Geimer.

He believed he would face a jail term of just 42 days, and claimed a judge had reneged on a plea bargain deal to reduce the charges from rape and serious sexual assault if he admitted under-age sex. However, on the day of his sentencing he fled to London then Paris.

France does not have an extradition treaty to the US, so if he escaped over the boarder he would be safe.

The comedy filmmaker would “love” to portray the music mogul on big screen because he is convinced there are huge similarities between Simon and his fictional news reader character Ron Burgundy from the film ‘Anchorman’.

He said: “I would love to play Simon Cowell in a movie. It would be my dream role. Simon’s become a legend in five years. Nobody in the US knew who he was five years ago and now he is one of the most famous people on TV.

“It wouldn’t be that hard for me to play him because I see a lot of Ron Burgundy in Simon Cowell.”

In the 2004 box office hit, Will portrayed haphazard 70s newsreader Ron – who was known for his permanent tan, immaculately groomed hair and outrageous views.

The 42-year-old actor believes the similarities between the iconic character and Simon are uncanny.

He explained to Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “Like Simon, Ron was the biggest thing on TV, loved himself and had that whole irresistible middle-aged man thing going on. I could play Simon, but to be honest Simon could play Ron. They are like long-lost twin brothers separated at birth. Simon Cowell and Ron Burgundy are pretty much the same role, apart from Simon being ruder.”

The comic is also keen to be made over like the 50-year-old ‘X Factor’ and ‘American Idol’ judge.

Will added: “It would be pretty fun getting into character as well. I would have to walk along the street and say, ‘Hey, you’re too fat to be a star,’ or go to a concert and shout out to the artist, ‘Never gonna happen.’ I could also probably get whoever is making the movie to pay for me to get Simon teeth done. How great would it be – to have a smile like that? It literally shines when he opens his mouth. I would become irresistible.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The veteran film director had his offer of $4.5 million bail accepted, which should allow him to be released from prison and kept under house arrest at a ski chalet he owns in the resort of Gstaad.

However, the Swiss Justice Ministry is considering appealing against the bail conditions at the country’s Supreme Court – meaning he currently has to remain behind bars.

Polanski, 76, presently faces extradition to the US from the European country, where he was arrested on September 26, over a conviction for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977.

Justice Ministry spokesman Folco Galli said: “We have ten days to appeal, but will come to our decision quickly.”

Galli said the reason for appealing was because ‘The Pianist’ director is considered a “high flight risk” and may flee back to his home in Paris.

Judges in Geneva were reportedly swayed in granting the bail offer because of Polanski’s family circumstances.

The director’s lawyer Herve Temime said his wife and two children are currently suffering the most because of the high-profile case.

He added that they are “very upset psychologically by this separation that is a true heartbreak for them”.

In 1977, Roman pleaded guilty to charges of having underage sex with 13-year-old Samantha Gailey, now known as Samantha Geimer.

He believed he would face a jail term of just 42 days, and claimed a judge had reneged on a plea bargain deal to reduce the charges from rape and serious sexual assault if he admitted under-age sex. However, on the day of his sentencing he fled to London then Paris.

France does not have an extradition treaty to the US, so if he escaped over the boarder he would be safe.

Source: BANG Showbiz