"New Moon" aims for big bite from box offices

Actors Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner pose during a photocall to promote their latest film "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" in Madrid, November 12, 2009.

Hollywood watchers think vampire romance "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" could take a nearly $100 million bite from movie theater box offices when it debuts this weekend, and score one of the biggest openings ever for a non-summer film.

"New Moon," which debuts in the United States and Canada on Friday, is independent studio Summit Entertainment's sequel to last year's "Twilight," which surpassed expectations by making $69.6 million in its first weekend.

Exactly one year later, no one will be surprised if "New Moon" has a blockbuster opening in domestic markets, but the question is just how big it will be.

The film follows the romance between high school student Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen, and her friendship with Jacob Black, a werewolf. It has a built-in audience from the first movie and from millions of readers of the "Twilight" books by Stephenie Meyer on which the movies are based.

"I have huge expectations for the movie," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box office division of film website Hollywood.com. "I'm not going to say it's going to exceed it, but a $100 million opening weekend I think is totally in the cards for this one."

Jeff Bock, box office analyst with tracking firm Exhibitor Relations Co Inc, also believes the film could make nearly $100 million, and a source close to Summit said it could rake in nearly $85 million.

The film is slated to debut in 4,024 theaters in the U.S. and Canada, which is not a record but is far more than the roughly 3,500 theaters in which major releases normally open.

If "New Moon" reaches the $100 million mark, it will approach the record $102 million for "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," which debuted in November 2005 and sits atop the charts as the biggest opening weekends outside Hollywood's blockbuster-heavy summer season of May to August.

Online ticket sellers Fandango.com and MovieTickets.com reported this week that "New Moon" is their biggest advance ticket seller of all time.

The film is unusual for an expected blockbuster because of its heavy romance and appeal to young women, elements not typically seen in other mega-hits like the "Spider-Man" or "Transformer" aimed mostly at teenage boys and filled with action and special effects.

In an informal Fandango.com survey, 66 percent of respondents said "New Moon's" love story is its biggest draw.

Summit has sought to increase "New Moon's" appeal to boys by featuring action sequences from the film in TV commercials.

Bock said last year's "Twilight" opened to an audience that was 75 percent female, and if "New Moon" reaches just slightly more males it will exceed "Twilight's" success -- something other box office watchers said is likely.

"Girls are going to drag their boyfriends to it," Dergarabedian said.

Brad Pitt chooses kids over cash

Brad Pitt reportedly turned down $5 million for a public appearance to spend time with his children.

The 'Burn After Reading' star had been due to attend the Grand Prix Ball Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on October 31, but failed to show up.

Photographs later revealed he had joined partner Angelina Jolie and their six children trick-or-treating for Halloween in Los Angeles.

A source told Life and Style magazine: "He's spending more time with the family and doing less of these appearances, even though it's a huge sum of cash."

A spokesperson for the event - which featured performances from Beyonce Knowles, Aerosmith and Timbaland, and raised money for clean water charity Fresh2o - admitted Brad had been expected to attend and was unsure why he had shunned the huge appearance fee.

James Magee, a representative for Global Event Management, said: "We were told he would be attending as the guest of the Tourism Development and Investment Company. But he was a no-show, and nobody seemed to know why."

Heidi Klum wows crowd at Victoria's Secret show

Model Heidi Klum attends the 2009 Victoria's Secret fashion show in New York, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009.

Heidi Klum and her post-baby body led the parade at the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show, which returned to New York with some fresh faces after four years on the road.

The lingerie retailer inducted five more women into its "Angel" ranks — a designation reserved for top models — in front of a packed house Thursday night at the Lexington Avenue Armory. They are Emanuela de Paula, Chanel Iman, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Lindsay Ellingson and Candice Swanepoel.

But Klum, who gave birth to a daughter five weeks ago, was the audience favorite in her purple corset covered with a half gown with poufs of tulle. She emerged from the huge, castlelike set to applause.

Musical guest The Black Eyed Peas — especially Fergie, its only female member, who wore a black, jeweled bodysuit — was another crowd-pleaser. Fergie came out later in a green corset gown.

Of course, fashion really is secondary here. Victoria's Secret always puts on an elaborate production (this time with a choir, acrobatic dancers and a giant polka-dot dog balloon) and fuels hype about its models. An online model search started earlier this month and is now down to two contestants, one of whom will be chosen by the public to appear in the televised version of the fashion show that CBS will air Dec. 1.

"I could watch this online, but it's a fun scene," said Russell Simmons from his front row seat. "This show is always fun and a great production."

"It's always a spectacular," agreed costume designer Patricia Field. "Victoria's Secret does that extra thing I like."

Klum, who normally wears the most elaborate outfits, only appeared once, so it was former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover girl Marissa Miller who had the honor of wearing a $3 million, diamond-encrusted bra.

Splashy jewels, it seemed, were one of the themes of the show with many models dripping in diamonds, crystals and other bling. Others wore faux fur stoles over their bras and panties. Thigh-high boots were the other must-have accessory.

Outfits fell into one of four themes: Star Trooper with breast plates and body armor; Pink Planet, which had a hippie vibe; the ethereal Enchanted Forest; and Romantic Journey that featured a lot of lace.

Compared to previous years, the overall collection didn't seem as skimpy, although Miranda Kerr wore an itsy-bitsy black thong get-up that might have to be edited out of the TV show.

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz set for B'way's 'Chicago'

In this Aug. 22, 2009 file photo, actress Ashlee Simpson-Wentz arrives at the premiere party of the television show 'Melrose Place,' in Los Angeles.

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is ready to show some razzle-dazzle on Broadway.

The pop singer who was recently booted from "Melrose Place," is set to play Roxie Hart in the long-running musical revival of "Chicago."

Producer Barry Weissler says Simpson-Wentz will join the production on Nov. 30 for a 10-week engagement ending in early February. The performer played Roxie in the London production of "Chicago" in 2006.

Among her best-selling singles are such songs as "Pieces of Me," "Boyfriend" and "L.O.V.E." She is married to musician Pete Wentz.

Eva Longoria's Desperate sex life

'Desperate Housewives' is affecting Eva Longoria Parker's sex life.

The actress admits she and husband Tony Parker can only get steamy between the sheets at weekends because of her filming schedule in Hollywood and his commitments to his basketball team the San Antonio Spurs, who are based in Texas.

She told Joy magazine: "I work three to four days per week. And then I fly to Texas to spend a long weekend with Tony. So we only have sex during the weekend."

Eva and Tony's lovemaking time is further reduced by her interests away from the US TV show.

The 34-year-old actress has set up her own production company and owns a Hollywood restaurant Beso, which serves Mexican food, and admits she hates not being busy.

She added: "I can never sit still and must always be doing something. I founded my own production company. We have already developed three TV shows and are currently working on two film projects. At the same time Tony and I are building a house in San Antonio and this takes a very long time. Luckily, I inherited my mother's multi-tasking gene. But you have to set priorities!"

Despite her hectic life, Eva is happy being a wife and does anything she can to please Tony.

She said: "I love being married. I'm part of something bigger and more important now. The marriage gives me so much more than my job. Tony and I feel incredibly connected. I love being a housewife. It's great fun. I cook, clean and sew. I even wash Tony's laundry."

Rihanna looking for big love

Rihanna wants a man with a big penis.

The 'Umbrella' singer - who has been single since Chris Brown assaulted her in February - is ready to date again but isn't interested in suitors who don't measure up in the bedroom.

When asked what a guy needed to impress her, she quipped to German magazine Bravo: "He has to be good in bed and the size matters. You know what I mean? The inner beauty counts as well, but without a toy it doesn't make it fun. Right now I don't want to have a serious relationship, I want to have fun."

Although she is on the look-out for a guy, Rihanna is careful about who she gives her number to.

She said: "I love flirting at the moment. I'm single and I'm enjoying my freedom. But I don´t give my phone number out that often. But if I'm dating, I check the boy from the top to the bottom."

One guy Rihanna has her eye is 'Grey's Anatomy' actor Jesse Williams - who plays her love interest in the video for 'Russian Roulette'.

The 21-year-old star revealed: "Jesse, who's in my music video for 'Russian Roulette', is soooo hot!"

Celebs arrive for Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York

Model Heidi Klum arrives for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York, November 19, 2009.