July 23, 2009

A New 'Do

What do you think of Michelle Obama's new, shorter hair 'do?


I think it's change we can believe in...

Happy Birthday D Rad!

Today, 'Harry Potter' star Daniel Racliffe celebrates his 20th Birthday.


And, since David Letterman already gifted him the Handi-Vac he'd asked for, I hope he gets everything else he wants.

Cheers!

July 21, 2009

When Daniel Met Rupert

David Heyman, producer of the wildly popular Harry Potter films, recently shared a never-before-seen photograph of 'Potter' stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint meeting for the very first time (9 years ago).

In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Daivd revealed the photo and said, "This is a photo taken the day the boys met. No one’s really seen this before. They were taking a little walk together to get to know one another...”


That's super cute!

And, while I'm blogging "HP", I should mention that the films female star, Emma Watson, has finally announced where she'll be attending college in the fall: Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island!

July 19, 2009

The Half-Blood Prince Makes Magic

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince whipped up the biggest worldwide opening of all time, selling an estimated $396.7 million worth of tickets during its first five days, distributor Warner Bros. Pictures said on Sunday.

The film also shattered the record for the biggest midnight premiere of all time by grossing $22.2 million.

Hip hip, hurray!!!

July 12, 2009

Britney Spears Exclusive


Be sure to watch Entertainment Tonight on Monday!

Update:



July 10, 2009

Harry And The City

The bright young stars of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince attended the films US premiere at New York City’s Ziegfeld Theatre on Thursday:


I can't get enough of them!

July 9, 2009

'Harry' Cast Covers EW


The wizarding world's most loved trio graces the cover of the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, on stands Friday.

Harry Potter and the London Premiere

If Potions Professor Horace Slughorn had mixed a brew to conjure up torrential rain, the weather could not have been worse for the premiere of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

Dedicated fans braved thunder, lightning and Biblical downpours in London's Leicester Square to catch a glimpse of the film's stars arriving at the opening of the sixth film in the wildly popular "Harry Potter" franchise.

While dreadful weather has become an unfortunate tradition at Potter premieres (it rained during the 2007 premiere of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"), the latest installment holds something new for fans.

"The Half-Blood Prince" offers up an uncommonly large helping of humor as Harry, Hermione and Ron enter their sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"I think this film's funnier," said star Daniel Radcliffe who plays the titular young hero. "There are a couple of moments which I laughed out loud at."

Hormones are also running high inside the castle walls, with romances blossoming between some of the formerly chaste characters. But, says director David Yates, for all the romance and humor, the film still has a very dark side.

"It is a bit bipolar," Yates told CNN. "On the one hand, there's all this snogging and romance and on the other hand people are getting killed and bridges are being blown up."

"The humor is there to kind of leaven the intensity of what happens later on in the movie," he added.

If the latest Harry Potter installment treads more adult terrain, it's not just because the three lead actors -- who started as unknown children -- have grown up.

The three have amassed huge fortunes and international recognition off the back of the films. Daniel Radcliffe wowed Broadway by going nude in "Equus," Emma Watson has become the face of Burberry and Rupert Grint recently hit the headlines with a dose of swine flu.

A dark storyline runs through the core of "The Half-Blood Prince": The ascendancy of the malevolent Lord Voldemort threatens the wizarding world, while tragic events provide some genuinely scary moments and spell the end of childhood for Harry and the others.

"I think it's aimed at a slightly older audience," says Emma Watson, 19, who plays bookish heroine Hermione Granger in the franchise. "I think the films have grown up with the audience."

The change of pace also affords a bigger role for Draco Malfoy, Potter's long-time enemy, when he is charged by Voldemort with a very special evil mission.

"It's fantastic for me personally to get a chance to sink my teeth slightly more into this young lad we've spent five years establishing as a vile evil so-and-so," said Tom Felton, who plays Malfoy. "This film was a chance to show some other side of him -- some vulnerability and guilt for the first time."

The relationship between Harry and Hogwarts headmaster, Professor Albus Dumbledore, reprised by award-winning Brit Michael Gambon, is also explored in more depth in this film. Potter has changed from a schooboy into a young man and their relationship becomes more of a close friendship.

It is Harry that Dumbledore takes with him on the quest for a "horcrux" that forms the genuinely chilling and visually stunning climax of the film.

Fans have had to wait an extra eight months for the latest installment after Warner Bros (which, like CNN, is owned by Time Warner) delayed the release of the movie after the success of "The Dark Knight" to spread out its blockbusters. It is estimated the film cost $250 million to make.

The last film, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," came out in 2007 and took $938 million at the box office worldwide. The five films have so far made $4.5 billion in worldwide box office, making it the most successful movie franchise in history.

The Harry Potter franchise is based on the best-selling series of books by British writer J.K Rowling. The first film, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," directed by Chris Columbus, was released in 2001.

Source: CNN


Here are some photos, courtesy of Yahoo!:






And here are a couple videos from CNN. The first is coverage of the premiere, and the second is the cast aswering fans questions:


July 4, 2009

Go Anderson, Go!

Last night, on CNN's AC360, Anderson Cooper spoke with Meg Stapleton - Sarah Palin's Spokesperson - about the Governors awkward decision to resign from her post several months before the first term is up. And between oppositional views of leadership and unnecessary basketball metaphors, the conversation resulted in Andy Coop "keepin' [Stapleton] honest." Or at least trying to. And it was hilarious!


Anderson doesn't take bullsh*t from anyone! I love him.


... By the way, Happy 4th of July! And, Happy 11th Birthday Malia Obama!

July 2, 2009

Tribute By Magazine








MJ Rehearsal Footage

Check out this video footage, obtained by CNN, of Michael Jackson rehearsing with dancers on June 23rd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles:


It looks like he would have put on an extraordinary comeback performance.

LiLo's Happy 23rd

Today, Lindsay Lohan turns 23 years old. Cheers to the birthday girl!

Lindsay celebrated her birthday over the weekend, poolisde, at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.



She looks happy and healthy!

Britney On A Boat

Making the most of her tour break in the States, a newly brunette Britney Spears treated her two boys, Jayden James and Sean Preston, to a day full of fun on Tuesday, June 30.


The singer and her family headed out on a yacht in Marina Del Rey for a relaxing boat ride.

Source: Celebrity Gossip

July 1, 2009

Jude Heads Stateside


Jude Law will bring the Donmar Warehouse production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet to Broadway for a 12-week engagement at the Broadhurst Theater in New York City beginning September 12.

Source: Just Jared


OMG! It looks like I'll be able to see ex-lovers Jude Law and Sienna Miller on Broadway in one weekend! America just got better!

On My Radar

The new music video for Britney Spears' latest single off of her Circus (and Blackout) album, "Radar," has leaked! Enjoy:

June 29, 2009

The King of Music Videos

Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, and he was also the King of Music Videos. He didn't just stand in front of a camera and sing, he made movies. He changed the way they were done, and the way they were viewed (his influence on the rise of MTV is a great example).

Here are some of his best, and my favorites:






Visit The Official Michael Jackson YouTube Channel for others like "Bad", "The Way You Make Me Feel", and "Black Or White".

June 27, 2009

Gone Too Soon

Fans all over the world are mourning the death, and celebrating the life of Michael Jackson.



In tribute, VH1 Classic will be playing Michael's greatest music video's for the rest of the weekend. And CNN is airing a special on his life, Man in the Mirror, Saturday and Sunday at 8 PM.


Michael, you were so very much loved.

June 26, 2009

Michael Jackson

At first, the grief and the anxiety took over. The sorrow. The questioning... But now I'm starting to relax, to go numb, in the wake of this devastating news. The King of Pop has died, but his legacy lives on - in his music, and in every artist he's inspired.

June 24, 2009

Revenge In Theaters Now



Update: June, 29, 2009

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen exploded at the box office last week, defying negative reviews, shattering Paramount's expectations and leaving several records smoldering in its robotic wake. Michael Bay's highly anticipated sequel bowed on Wednesday, and with a $60.6 million take in its first day, it broke the Wednesday record previously held by Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix back in 2007.

'Transformers' went on to make another $112 million over the weekend, enjoying a five-day cumulative of $201.2 million, bringing it right behind "The Dark Knight" for the largest five-day gross in movie history. It's a very close call, as "The Dark Knight" stands at $203.8 million, but so far no one is calling for a recount. 'Transformers' did steal the IMAX record, however, and is currently the biggest weekend and the largest five-day haul that the specialty screener has ever enjoyed.

Source: MTV Music Television

June 23, 2009

London's Finest

Here's a good-lookin' photograph of Jude Law at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at London’s All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.


Work it, Jude!

June 22, 2009

Cameron Gets A Star

Today, Cameron Diaz was honored with the 2386th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!


Her latest film, My Sister's Keeper, hits theaters Friday.

Emma Enchanted

Emma Watson has magically transformed from Harry Potter's precocious overachiever to a full-blown glamour girl in the August 2009 issue of Teen Vogue!

Here are a few photos from the shoot (courtesy of TeenVogue.com):




I absolutely adore this beautiful young Brit! Not only is she an incredibly talented actress, she's also a terribly brilliant girl with a bright future ahead. She has her priorities in order, her head on straight, and she seems as sweet as can be (how refreshing!). I'm sure she'll experience nothing but success when she heads to University, and I hope she'll consider acting again once she's done.

TF2

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is already off to an excellent start, making $20 million in Japan and the United Kingdom (and outselling The Dark Knight), and is set for a mega U.S. release this week!


Advance tickets are on sale now, and 12:01 AM screenings will be available at many theaters on Wednesday.

June 18, 2009

Cameron Saves The World

Cameron Diaz wants to make Planet Earth a star! And she needs everyone's help.

In the mini-documentary below, Cameron travels the U.S. to learn what environmental worries are on people's minds:


She's the best! She really is.

Thanks to Marie Claire for the film.

All Hail The Purple And Gold

Here are a few pictures from yesterday's Lakers Championship parade / celebration in Los Angeles:









According to the Los Angeles Times, approximately a quarter of a million fans came out to celebrate the teams victory.

Here are a couple videos of the parade and the celebration at the Colisuem:





I wish I would have been there!

June 16, 2009

Harry Takes The Subway

A couple of Harry Potter fans snapped photographs of New York City's 42nd St. Times Square Subway Station, plastered with 'Half-Blood Prince' advertisements, and sent them to HP's #1 fansite, MuggleNet.com. Take a look:







Sienna's In Vogue

Sexy British superstar Sienna Miller has nabbed the July cover of Vogue magazine. Cheers!


Sienna looks fab in the photoshoot; wearing a sleek ponytail and posing by a luscious pool. Yet, I can still recall a time when Vogue editor Anna Wintour complaining about Sienna being "too toothy" for the magazine. Perhaps the August release of G.I. Joe and Sienna's upcoming Broadway debut changed her mind?

June 15, 2009

What 1 Year + 1 Month Makes

Kobe Bryant has accomplished so much in the past 13 months.

In May 2008 he was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the very first time. In August 2008 he helped lead Team USA to a Gold Medal victory in the Beijing Olympics. In February 2009 he was named co-MVP, alongside Shaquille O'Neal, at the NBA All Star game (his 3rd All Star MVP trophy). And now, at just 30-years-old, he's won his 4th NBA Championship and his first ever NBA Finals MVP honor!



He is, without a doubt, the best player in the NBA. The best player in the world.

The 2009 NBA Champions

4 for Kobe. 10 for Phil. And 15 for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Congratulations L.A. on winning Game 5, 99-86, and clinching the NBA Championship!!! You are the best in the west, and the best in the world!


Phil, you've coached the greatest, and now you are the greatest. Not only in basketball, but in all of sports. Stay zen, my master!


And Kobe, you don't need a trophy or a gold medal to prove how incredibly talented you are, but they sure are nice to have around the office. And I am so, so proud of you for earning them! You are and always will be my MVP.


I love you!

"Anything is possible!"