Top 10 ShowTime

Demi Lovato not ready for TV return

2012-02-01T20:45:00.000+04:00

Demi Lovato is not confident enough to appear on TV again.

The former 'Sonny with a Chance' star is taking a break from acting after admitting her battles with self-harming and an eating disorder, and she doesn't feel ready to be on camera again yet.

She told Britain's Glamour magazine: "Right now I don't need to get in front of a TV camera which adds 10 pounds and makes you feel more self-conscious about your body image. Being on camera makes me nervous. It takes a level of confidence and security which I'm still working on.

"When I'm ready I'll find the right role and get back into it, but for now I'm being cautious.

"I'm walking with my head held high, but I never forget that I'm a work in progress."

Demi was admitted to rehab for her issues in 2010, and her time in therapy was intense, with her undergoing sessions lasting for over half a day at a time.

She explained: "I had 14 hours of therapy every day, so I definitely learned a lot about myself. For the first 48 hours I wasn't allowed any communication with my friends or family, a lot of people give up and check themselves out, but I made it and I'm proud of myself."

Since rehab, Demi has been concentrating on her pop career, releasing her third album 'Unbroken' last September.

Bieber, Gomez attend entertainment events

2012-01-30T21:01:00.000+04:00

Actress and singer Selena Gomez smiles during a photocall before a news conference at a hotel in Mexico City January 26, 2012. Gomez will perform two concerts as part of her "We Own The Night" tour in Mexico City on Janaury 26 and in Guadalajara on January 27

Bieber, Gomez attend entertainment events

2012-01-29T19:53:00.000+04:00

Singer Justin Bieber speaks at a ceremony where Michael Jackson's shoes and gloves are used to make hand and foot imprints in cement in the courtyard of Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on January 26, 2012

Mila Kunis attends Golden Globe Awards

2012-01-28T10:35:00.000+04:00

Actress Mila Kunis arrives at the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California January 15, 2012

Natalie Portman attends Golden Globe Awards

2012-01-27T11:54:00.000+04:00

Actress Natalie Portman is seen at the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California January 15, 2012

Claire Danes attends Golden Globe Awards

2012-01-20T15:37:00.000+04:00

Claire Danes poses with the award for best performance by an actress in a drama television series for "Homeland" backstage at the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California January 15, 2012

Taylor Swift aims at Jake Gyllenhaal on new album?

2012-01-18T20:57:00.000+04:00

Singer Taylor Swift arrives at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards show in Las Vegas, May 22, 2011.

Taylor Swift says her new album will be about an "absolute crash-and-burn heartbreak," prompting speculation in the media that the latest subject of her songwriting skills may be her short-lived 2010 crush on Jake Gyllenhaal.

Swift, 22, whose "Dear John" song was seen as a bitter ode to ex-boyfriend John Mayer, told Vogue magazine that she was working on her fourth album, and is currently single.

The country-pop crossover artist, who famously wears her heart on her songwriter's sleeve, said that writing about past loves is a way to ease the pain.

"There's just been this earth-shattering, not recent, but absolute crash-and-burn heartbreak and that will turn out to be what the next album is about," she told Vogue in a cover story for its February edition.

"The only way that I can feel better about myself -- pull myself out of that awful pain of losing someone -- is writing songs about it to get some sort of clarity," she said.

Swift dated "Brokeback Mountain" star Gyllenhaal for about three months in late 2010 before their much-photographed relationship ended suddenly around the Christmas holidays that year. U.S. celebrity magazines claimed that Gyllenhaal had ended the relationship because he was unhappy at the attention the couple was generating.

Swift told Vogue she did not feel like dating at the moment. "I really have this great life right now, and I'm not sad and I'm not crying this Christmas, so I am really stoked about that."

Asked whether she was crying last Christmas, Swift replied, "I am not gonna go into it! It's a sad story!"

Swift gave no details, but media speculation over whom she was talking about quickly fell on Gyllenhaal, her last known relationship.

The Grammy-winning young singer's previous romances with "Twilight" actor Taylor Lautner and singer Joe Jonas are widely thought to have inspired her songs "Back to December" and "Forever and Always".

"I think I am smart unless I am really, really in love, and then I am ridiculously stupid," she told Vogue. But she said she had learned some of the romantic pitfalls to avoid, including obsessive privacy.

"I can't deal with someone who's obsessed with privacy. People kind of care if there are two famous people dating. But no one cares that much. If you care about privacy to the point where we need to dig a tunnel under this restaurant so that we can leave? I can't do that," she said.

Stewart to front Balenciaga fragrances

2012-01-16T19:59:00.000+04:00

Kristen Stewart is to become the face of Balenciaga fragrances.

The 'Twilight Saga' actress - who has previously confessed to not knowing much about the fashion world - is excited to be involved with the "cool" brand, as she has always been a big fan of the Spanish design house.

She said: "Balenciaga has always stood out to me. Even when I first began to consider fashion and admittedly rarely knew the brand I was wearing, I always knew and loved Balenciaga. It feels full circle to be involved with something that spoke to me then and of course continues to excite me now. The brand is just cool. That's the way it is."

Creative director of the brand Nicolas Ghesquiere admitted Kristen - who is currently dating her 'Twilight Saga' co-star Robert Pattinson - was great for Balenciaga because of her "progressive character".

He told WWD: "Kristen embodies the modernity of the new Balenciaga fragrance with her unique sensibility and intelligence.

"From her early appearance in 'Panic Room' to her independent choice of 'Welcome to the Rileys', I've always sensed her progressive character. In 2006, I invited her to appear in a project shot by Bruce Weber. Since then, I've always wished to collaborate with her further, knowing that she shares the radical spirit of Balenciaga."

Charlotte Gainsbourg will continue to be the face of Balenciaga Paris.

Black Star over China

2012-01-15T20:14:00.000+04:00

Pop queen Avril Lavigne shows how she's been transforming from girlish to womanly as she tours the Middle Kingdom. Chen Nan reports.

Chinese fans went crazy when they heard Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne would attend the New Year's Eve gala in Hubei's provincial capital Wuhan.

They joined the paparazzi to pack the lobby of the Shangri-La Hotel, where Lavigne and her 15-member crew were staying.

They knew Lavigne had flown in on a private jet from Shanghai the day before and wouldn't leave the hotel until showtime.

The audience became frantic when the camera followed Lavigne as she walked through the dimly lit backstage hallway and dashed onstage, brandishing a red microphone.

More than 1,000 fans, mostly young, crammed into the ground floor to catch a fleeting glimpse of the star. They kept security busy, as some hopped over the metal fence and others stood on chairs.

Lavigne is among the most beloved Western stars in China. She headlined the China Music Valley International Festival, performing for a crowd of 40,000, on Beijing's outskirts in March 2011.

She began her Black Star Tour at the end of April 2011 and will finish in February.

She will perform in Guangdong's provincial capital Guangzhou on Feb 11 and in Beijing on Feb 14.

Although Lavigne usually shuns media, she gave a handful of interviews in Wuhan' Shangri-La Hotel before the show.

Clad in a sable blazer and boots, and a black T-shirt emblazoned with a skull, Lavigne appeared more catlike than her triumphant stage persona.

It seemed perhaps representative of her transformation from an unrepentant teen tomboy into a sophisticated woman, since her career began.

While she's sassy onstage, she appeared nervous in the interview seat.

Lavigne paused thoughtfully before answering every question, often twisting her blond hair, narrowing her eyes and pursing her lips.

She laughed loudly at her own accent when answering requests to say "Happy New Year" in Chinese for the cameras. She seemed more girlish than womanly at that moment.

"Speaking Chinese is really hard for me, you know. I've practised for months to sing the lyrics of Girlfriend in Chinese," she says, smiling and muttering, "nupengyou (girlfriend)".

"I spent last year's New Year Eve in Hawaii. And this year, I am here in China with my band, on the other side of the globe. China has been good to me, and I spent lots of time in Asia last year. It's always exciting to see the crowds. The Chinese food is good. I can always find delicious noodles in China."

Lavigne was 16 when she released her debut album, Let Go, which was 2002's best-selling debut.

She has gone on to win fans of many ages with chart-toppers like pop rock hits Skater Boy and Complicated.

She is quick to name her brother as her idol.

"He is always supportive and inspiring," Lavigne says. "I feel safe and comfortable when he is around."

She realizes she has grown up over the past decade.

"Everything is unpredictable, and I just follow my instincts, which made me who I am today," she says.

Her fourth album, Goodbye Lullaby, which was released in March 2011, showcases her songwriting abilities.

"It's a slower-paced album than my previous stuff," she says. "It's very personal and sums up what I've been through in the past few years."

Her drummer explained her transition like this: "She's like your little sister. She is growing up, but she is still the little sister."

Lavigne says she wanted to show a different side of herself.

"Rocking out onstage, running around fist-pumping, jumping - I love to do that. But I also have to be solo at a piano and sing or an acoustic guitar," she explains.

"I don't want to make the same record over and over. For the new album, which I am still working on, I will have energetic songs and slow songs. They are all from my real life."

Lavigne has also morphed into a businesswoman in her late 20s, with her own perfume and fashion line.

An hour before the show, Lavigne was told it was inappropriate to wear a shirt printed with a skull for the New Year's Eve gala, because Chinese audiences might consider the image to be bad luck.

Her team became anxious, as everything had long been planned out and set up.

"It's okay," Lavigne says, giggling.

"I am the stylist. I love black T-shirts, and I've got many. I have one with me without a skull."

The discussion ends with a question about her favorite part of pop stardom.

Without hesitation, she replies: "Playing live. Being on the stage is awesome!"

Rihanna enjoys NBA game

2012-01-13T10:43:00.000+04:00

Singer Rihanna sits courtside during the NBA game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Miami Heat in Los Angeles, California January 11, 2012

Shakira attends FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011

2012-01-12T06:31:00.000+04:00

Lionel Messi of Argentina, FIFA World Player of the Year holds his FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011 trophy next to singer Shakira during the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011 soccer awards ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich January 9, 2012

Justin Bieber talks to God, directly

2012-01-11T02:44:00.000+04:00

Justin Bieber talks directly to God.

The 17-year-old pop superstar is a Christian and believes there is a higher power guiding everyone's lives, but he doesn't go to church to affirm his faith and instead focuses on praying to God in private.

He told V magazine: "A lot of people who are religious, I think they get lost. They go to church just to go to church. I'm not trying to disrespect them ... but for me, I focus more on praying and talking to Him. I don't have to go to church."

Although he doesn't go to a place of worship, the 'Baby' singer recently got a tattoo of Jesus Christ's face on his left calf and showed it off during a trip to a Los Angeles beach.

In the interview, Justin - who is dating 19-year-old star Selena Gomez - also complained that as he has got more successful and famous he has become a target for people.

He added: "Now that I'm on top, everyone wants to bring me down ... Everyone's trying to tug at me and take my spot. Like Floyd Mayweather, he's the best boxer in the world. Now he is a champion. Every time he goes to a fight now, people are like, 'He's going to lose this time.' "

Justin was stunned last year when a 20-year-old fan, Mariah Yeater, accused him of being the father of her baby Tristyn, a claim which he vehemently denied and is yet unproven.

Mila Kunis is newest face of Dior

2012-01-06T20:18:00.000+04:00

Actress Mila Kunis is shown in this publicity photo for fashion house Dior, released to Reuters January 5, 2011.

"Friends with Benefits" actress Mila Kunis is the latest celebrity to become the face of Dior, the French fashion label said on Thursday.

"I am absolutely thrilled to be working with Dior. The brand is iconic in so many ways. It defines fashion, elegance and sophistication," Kunis said in a statement.

Kunis, 28, will be the model for the Miss Dior handbag collection in the brand's Spring/Summer 2012 advertising campaign, appearing worldwide this month.

The "Black Swan" actress is joining her Oscar-winning co-star Natalie Portman, who is the face of the Miss Dior Cherie perfume, along with Charlize Theron, who is the face of the J'Adore Dior fragrance and French actress Marion Cotillard, who models the Lady Dior handbags. Theron and Cotillard are also recent Oscar winners.

French fashion house Christian Dior, part of LVMH luxury goods group, is a staple in the high-end clothing and beauty industry.

Justin Bieber performs at Times Square

2012-01-05T21:34:00.000+04:00

Singer Justin Bieber (R) performs with Mexican rock guitarist Carlos Santana (L) at Times Square during a celebration to mark the start of the new year in New York, December 31, 2011

Top earning female artists of 2011

2011-12-30T13:11:00.000+04:00

Forbes has released its ranking of the top-earning female singers in 2011. The following are the top ten on the list.

1. Lady Gaga ($90 million)

Top earning female artists of 2011

Singer Lady Gaga takes the stage before posing for photographers at the International Emmy Awards in New York November 21, 2011.

Bieber goes home for basketball

2011-12-29T22:39:00.000+04:00

Musician Justin Bieber watches the Toronto Raptors play the Indiana Pacers during the second half of their NBA basketball game in Toronto December 28, 2011

Selena Gomez thanks fans for support

2011-12-28T21:19:00.000+04:00

Singer Selena Gomez poses on arrival at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011.

Selena Gomez has thanked fans for their support following her mother's miscarriage.

The 19-year-old singer-and-actress pulled out of two concert appearances earlier this month when her mother Mandy Teefey lost the baby she was expecting and has now spoken publicly about the tragedy in a Christmas message to her followers.

She wrote on her Facebook page: "Belated Merry Christmas everybody... I can't thank you enough for all of your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate every one of you... I love you all so much and we hope you and your family had a beautiful Christmas!"

In her posting, Selena - who is dating Justin Bieber - revealed the baby was a girl who her mother and stepfather Brian had named Scarlett.

Signing off the message, she wrote: "Me, Momma, Brian and our guardian angel Scarlett."

Last month, the 'Wizards of Waverley Place' actress had spoken of her excitement at becoming a "big sister".

She tweeted: "Momma and Brian are finally letting me share the news... My mommys carrying my baby brother or sister :) I'm the happiest girl in the world! (sic)"

Mandy, a former actress, was married to Selena's father Ricardo Joel Gomez until the Disney star was five years old. She went on to tie the knot with Brian in 2006.

'X Factor' brings wins for 'shocked' Amaro, and Fox

2011-12-27T19:43:00.000+04:00

Final contestant Melanie Amaro poses for photographs before a news conference for the television show ''The X Factor'' held in Los Angeles December 19, 2011.

"The X Factor" winner Melanie Amaro said on Friday she was shocked at her victory but believed that singing from her heart had given her the edge over her rivals in the TV contest.

Amaro's triumph also gave broadcaster Fox a ratings win, with Thursday's two-hour finale bringing in 12.4 million viewers, making "X Factor" the most-watched show of the night on U.S. television.

The 19 year-old from Florida won a $5 million recording contract, but said on Friday she was going to keep details of her first album a secret.

"I am going to keep everyone guessing as to what is going to come out, so people will go get it and they will be amazed," she told reporters on a conference call.

But she said she planned to spend some of her winnings on a foot massager and a new house for her mother.

"I feel as though I am in a dream. I feel as though this is not real...I was so thrilled to have won and so shocked," said Amaro.

Amaro's powerhouse vocals had made her a front-runner since her first audition for the show.

But she was cut from competition's early rounds, only to be later reinstated by "X Factor" creator Simon Cowell, in what TV watchers widely considered a manufactured drama to hype interest in the show's first season on U.S. TV.

Amaro on Friday said she did not know whether her initial elimination and call-back had been deliberately staged, but said she genuinely thought she was out of the contest.

"I had no clue Simon was coming to my house. I thought I was out of it ... I kept thinking I wasn't good enough," she said. "All I know is that he (Cowell) apologized about it. Whatever happened in the past, is the past."

Asked why she thought she had won, the modest teen said; "I think doing what I do, with all of my heart, put me apart from some of the other contestants ... I sing to the very, very pit of my soul because singing is something I truly enjoy."

Amaro's win closed a mixed first season for "X Factor", which Cowell brought to the United States from Britain with huge fanfare and predictions it would topple long-running "American Idol", also on Fox, as the nation's most-watched show.

But "X Factor" audiences have been about half those of "Idol" and producers on Friday declined to disclose the number of votes cast by the public in the finale.

Fox executives, however, say the show has been a success and has helped the network win Thursday nights in the fall with the key 18-49 age group for the first time in its history.

Fox also noted that the audience for Thursday's finale was 1.4 million more than that for the summer climax of NBC's rival TV singing contest, "The Voice".

Fox has already renewed "X Factor" for a second season but media speculation is rife over whether heavily-criticized judge Nicole Scherzinger, and British host Steve Jones will be returning in 2012.

Taylor Swift, T-Bone Burnett on 'Hunger Games' album

2011-12-25T20:54:00.000+04:00

Singer Taylor Swift accepts the award for Favorite Female Country Artist at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011.

Country singer Taylor Swift will lead a host of musicians collaborating with Oscar-winning artist T. Bone Burnett for a companion album to the upcoming film, "The Hunger Games."

Movie studio Lionsgate said on Friday that Burnett has joined forces with Swift, The Decemberists, Arcade Fire and The Civil Wars to create original songs for the film, set for release in March 2012.

"We are thrilled to have such a hauntingly beautiful companion album taking shape," said Joe Drake, co-COO of Lionsgate.

Swift and The Civil Wars' collaborated together on the single "Safe and Sound," which was released on iTunes on Friday and topped the iTunes songs chart.

"The Hunger Games," starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson, is based on the young adult series of novels, and tells the story of teenage boys and girls fighting to the death on a nationally televised event in a country called Panem, built on the remains of North America.

The film is set for release in U.S. theaters on March 23, 2012.

We Found Love' tops chart in milestone for Rihanna

2011-12-24T22:51:00.000+04:00

Singer Rihanna performs during a concert as part of her tour for her latest album ''Loud'' in Nilson Nelson gymnasium in Brasilia September 21, 2011.

Rihanna's single "We Found Love" on Thursday held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the eighth straight week, making it the singer's longest-running No. 1 single of her career.

The Barbadian chanteuse's single overtook Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," which stayed at No. 1 for seven weeks earlier this year, and beat her previous top-selling singles, 2007's "Umbrella" and 2010's "Love The Way You Lie" featuring Eminem.

"We Found Love" is the lead single from Rihanna's sixth studio album "Talk That Talk," and the singer will wrap her last concert on her "Loud" tour in London on Thursday.

LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It," notched a seventh week at No. 2 on the singles chart, while Bruno Mars' "It Will Rain" held steady at No. 3, Flo Rida's "Good Feeling" climbed to No. 4 and Katy Perry's "One That Got Away" rounded out the top five.

Katy Perry named '1st artist of year'

2011-12-23T09:07:00.000+04:00

Singer Katy Perry arrives at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011.

Katy Perry's run of No. 1 singles has earned her the distinction of becoming MTV's first artist of the year.

Perry topped Adele after a spirited discussion among MTV's internal panel of experts, the network said Thursday. Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" was chosen top song of 2011, said Amy Doyle, the network's chief of music programming.

MTV also declared Skrillex its electronic dance music artist of the year over David Guetta.

Different parts of MTV would make "best of" lists in the past, but the network wanted to establish a franchise that brought all its online and TV arms together and emphasized MTV's music roots, Doyle said. The network, established in 1981, hopes it becomes an annual thing.

Seven panelists made the final choice, and their deliberations were featured in MTV programming this week.

"Rolling in the Deep" was an obvious selection as top song, Doyle said. Runners-up were Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass" and Rihanna's "We Found Love."

"I loved the song the moment I wrote it," Adele said. "The melody and the beat added some conviction to it. I think that's why people connected with it."

Perry's achievement of tying Michael Jackson's "Bad" as the only albums to yield five No. 1 singles was particularly impressive, Doyle said. Along with the title cut, "California Gurls," ''E.T.," "Firework" and "Last Friday Night" (T.G.I.F.) all topped the charts. She's trying to beat the record with the current single "The One That Got Away."

"You just really felt her presence in pop culture throughout the year," Doyle said.

Skrillex, whose real name is Sonny Moore, describes his music as a combination of "dubstep, electro and glitch." MTV included the category of best electronic dance music artist to pay tribute to the way the style is taking off with its young viewers, she said.

MTV also asked its viewers to vote on their choice of the best live performances shown on MTV all year. Their choice was "Hurricane" by Thirty Seconds to Mars.

Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez to ring in MTV New Year

2011-12-21T20:11:00.000+04:00

Singer Demi Lovato performs at the Z100's Jingle Ball concert at Madison Square Garden in New York December 9, 2011.

Hey Justin Bieber - Selena Gomez already has plans for New Year's Eve.

Gomez will be ringing in the New Year in New York City's Times Square with fellow star Demi Lovato for MTV's live special.

MTV said Monday that both are due to perform, along with singer Jason Derulo and rappers J Cole and Mac Miller. The night's festivities will be hosted by Lovato and Tyler Posey of MTV's "Teen Wolf."

The show will air from MTV's Times Square studios. Fans can bid to be part of the audience. Proceeds will go to FWD, to help with the crisis in East Africa.

'The Iron Lady' premieres in New York

2011-12-18T10:03:00.000+04:00

Actress Anne Hathaway arrives for the New York premiere of the film "The Iron Lady" in New York December 13, 2011

'We Bought a Zoo' premieres in NY

2011-12-17T00:00:00.000+04:00

Cast members Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson arrive for the premiere of the film "We Bought a Zoo" in New York, December 12, 2011

All-Star Tribute to CNN Heroes

2011-12-15T07:50:00.000+04:00

Actress and musician Miley Cyrus (R) and actor Liam Hemsworth arrive at the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute event at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California December 11, 2011

Justin Bieber 'still learning about girls'

2011-12-09T13:42:00.000+04:00

Singer Justin Bieber kisses his girlfriend, singer Selena Gomez, as they arrive at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011.

Justin Bieber is "still learning about girls".

The 17-year-old singer - who has been dating actress Selena Gomez since early this year - admitted he doesn't know whether he will ever "really figure out" women, but he is happy to have found love so early in life.

He said in an interview with Atlanta Radio's 'The Bert Show': "I'm still learning about girls. Everyday is different. You have to go through different things. I don't know if you ever really figure it out but it's great!

"Life's all about that - finding the girl you love."

The 'Baby' hitmaker recently explained he is attracted to Selena, 19, because she is "hot" but he also insisted they share a connection because of their similar family backgrounds.

Justin said: "Everybody can see she is hot and that's great, but there is so much more to her than that. She makes me laugh and she puts up with my practical jokes. She has really strong family values as well.

"We were both raised by our moms in single-parent households, and that's given us a lot of the same family values in life."

'Twilight' movie wins slow box office weekend

2011-12-05T14:35:00.000+04:00

Actors Robert Pattinson (L) and Kristen Stewart arrive for the British premiere of 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn' at Westfield Stratford City cinemas in east London November 16, 2011.

The newest "Twilight" vampire movie ruled the domestic box office for a third time with $16.9 million in ticket sales over one of the slowest movie-going weekends of the year, studio estimates released on Sunday showed.

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1" from independent studio Summit Entertainment beat a pack of family films at U.S. and Canadian theaters. The fourth and second-to-last film in one of Hollywood's most lucrative franchises added $40.2 million at international locations.

After three weekends in theaters, "Breaking Dawn" has soaked up $588.3 million in global ticket sales.

The "Twilight" movies are based on best-selling novels by Stephenie Meyer about a human-vampire-werewolf love triangle.

The third domestic win in a row for "Breaking Dawn" came during the post-Thanksgiving weekend, typically one of the bleakest of the year at movie theaters following big releases a week earlier.

This year, total U.S. and Canadian ticket sales rang up at an estimated $82 million for the weekend, making it the year's second slowest, according to Hollywood.com Box Office. Overall sales only slightly edged the $81.5 million take from the September 9 weekend that followed Labor Day.

With no new films released nationwide, sales also slumped 4.8 percent below the same weekend last year.

After "Breaking Dawn," the rest of the weekend's top five belonged to family fare.

Disney's "The Muppets" starring Jason Segel and Amy Adams alongside Kermit, Miss Piggy and their puppet friends, rang up $11.2 million at North American (U.S. and Canadian) theaters. The movie represents a comeback for the Muppet characters, last seen in movie theaters in 1999. Worldwide sales for the new film have reached $60.1 million through Sunday.

"Hugo," a 3D family movie about an orphaned boy who lives in a 1930s Paris train station, moved up to third place from its fifth place finish last weekend after expanding to more theaters. The film pulled in $7.6 million domestically, bringing its total after two weekends to $25.2 million.

Animated 3D movie "Arthur Christmas," which explains how Santa delivers presents around the world in one night, pulled in $7.4 million domestically to finish in fourth place. To date, the movie has brought in $70.6 million worldwide.

In fifth place, dancing penguin sequel "Happy Feet Two" earned $6.0 million at domestic theaters. Total global sales reached $85.8 million after three weekends of release.

Walt Disney Co released "The Muppets." Privately held Summit Entertainment released "Breaking Dawn - Part 1." "Arthur Christmas" was distributed by Sony, and Hugo was released by Paramount, a unit of Viacom Inc.. Time Warner unit Warner Bros. distributed "Happy Feet Two."

Star Tracks in December

2011-12-04T16:51:00.000+04:00

Jessica Alba Sighting - Los Angeles. Jessica Alba is seen out and about in Los Angeles, USA on Nov 30, 2011

Tom Cruise promotes 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol'

2011-12-03T01:40:00.000+04:00

Cast members Paula Patton (L) and Tom Cruise pose at a promotional event for their latest film "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" in Tokyo December 1, 2011. Cruise kicked off the rollout of the fourth installment of his "Mission Impossible" franchise with a limited fan screening in Japan on Thursday ahead of its official world premiere next week

Star Tracks in December

2011-12-01T09:44:00.000+04:00

US actor Tom Cruise is pictured upon his arrival at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan, 30 November 2011. Cruise is in Tokyo for the promotion of his latest movie 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol'.

Selena Gomez planning Xmas break

2011-11-29T13:54:00.000+04:00

Selena Gomez is taking some time off around Christmas.

The 19-year-old beauty - who is dating 'Baby' hitmaker Justin Bieber - wants to have a few weeks off around the festive period after a busy year of touring and performing, and may be spending it with her boyfriend.

She said: "I've had a week off for Thanksgiving, and then I'm having a week-and-a-half or two weeks off for Christmas time. And then I'm just going to relax and do nothing."

Selena is particularly looking forward to seeing in 2012, but admits she has not "planned" anything in particular for the next year.

She told MTV News: "I feel like this approach of this year, I wasn't expecting any of the things that happened.

"And so I just kind of want to go into the end of this year and the beginning of next year just excited and in a good place and not planning anything."

The former 'Wizards of Waverley Place' star recently revealed she loves to bake in her downtime.

She said: "I like to bake - cookies and cakes and stuff. I'm not that good but that's the whole fun of it; you get to mess around and experiment."

Enrique Iglesias performs at NFL half time

2011-11-27T14:20:00.000+04:00

Singer Enrique Iglesias performs at half time of the NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins in Arlington, Texas November 24, 2011

Celebrities perform at 2011 American Music Awards

2011-11-25T16:53:00.000+04:00

Singer Justin Bieber performs at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011

2011 American Music Awards held in LA

2011-11-24T15:24:00.000+04:00

Singer Justin Bieber and his girlfriend, singer Selena Gomez arrive at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 20, 2011

GQ 'Men of the Year' party held in LA

2011-11-21T03:08:00.000+04:00

Justin Timberlake attends the GQ "Men of the Year" party in Los Angeles November 17, 2011

Selena Gomez loves to bake

2011-11-20T11:03:00.000+04:00

Selena Gomez's main hobby is baking.

The 19-year-old star - who is dating Justin Bieber - loves to spend her free time in the kitchen when she is not on tour or on set, and although she confesses she isn't a culinary master she is getting better.

She revealed: "I like to bake - cookies and cakes and stuff. I'm not that good but that's the whole fun of it; you get to mess around and experiment."

When she's not baking in her spare time, Selena also likes to just relax at home and watch movies in her comfy clothes.

The 'Monte Carlo' star added: "It's nice to feel pretty and get dressed up but otherwise I'm definitely in jeans and my hair is up. I just like sitting on my couch watching movies."

This week, Selena has been worried about her three-month-old puppy Baylor after he almost died from eating some small rocks.

Selena - who adopted the Purina Puppy Chow last month with Justin - wrote on her twitter page: "My baby is sick :( praying for his surgery. (sic)"

Justin and Selena adopted Baylor after visiting the Winnipeg animal rescue centre D'Arcy's ARC, where they fell in love with him.

Justin Bieber staying positive

2011-11-20T02:06:00.000+04:00

Justin Bieber is keeping his "head high" amid allegations he fathered a fan's baby.

The 17-year-old singer - who is dating Selena Gomez - has vehemently denied Mariah Yeater's claims that he is the dad of her four-month-old son and is doing his best to stay focused on his work despite the speculation in his personal life.

He told New York radio station Z100: "Right now, I'm focusing on my album and the music and the Pencils of Promise charity we're doing, and just being positive because Christmas time is a time for joy and happiness, so that's what I'm thinking.

"As far as the whole baby situation, it's unfortunate that it had to happen like that that. People make false accusations, but things happen in this industry and you have to keep your head high and be positive."

Despite admitting the claims could damage his reputation as a role model, Justin was able to joke about the claims, saying he wishes he had been the target of a different story.

He joked: "If it was up to me, it would have been a better story like, 'Justin Bieber went off to South America with this 27-year-old supermodel.' That would have been awesome.

"They say that any press is good press - I do not believe that's true. If you're in the spotlight, then people are looking at you to be a role model, and if you're doing bad things to be getting press, I think that's really, really sad."

Justin's manager Scooter Braun has also hit out at Mariah and her legal team after her new lawyer said yesterday he intended to pursue the matter privately out of court.

Scooter said: "Look, I don't usually talk in front of mics but the bottom line is they said they're in settlement talks with us, and the only thing I'm gonna say is they will never be in settlement talks with us.

"We will never settle with them. That's my little guy right there - I protect him - and they messed with the wrong crew.

"It's false and people should be held accountable when they run out and say this stuff. And they have this lawyer running around saying, 'Well, we want everything to be held confidentially now.' But you don't get to go out there and bad-mouth a 17-year-old kid to the entire world then suddenly think it's going to stay confidential. We're not gonna go away quietly."

Mila Kunis: acting was 'babysitter'

2011-11-19T13:17:00.000+04:00

Mila Kunis started acting because her family couldn't afford a babysitter.

The Ukranian-born actress moved to Los Angeles with her family when she was seven years old and enrolled in a drama class as a way to meet other children.

She said: "My English was a little janky. I didn't have very many friends. And there was this place advertised on the radio as a place for kids to meet other kids - an acting class. My parents couldn't afford a babysitter. They said, 'Great, that takes up our Saturday.' "

Mila - who voiced Meg in animated adult comedy series 'Family Guy' - also admitted she can't understand why other actors regard their profession as "art".

Speaking to the new issue of GQ magazine - in which she is named Knockout of the Year - she said: "I love what I do, but my theory is that it's people who doubt what they do and want to prove it to you, they're like 'It's art. I create art. It's art, art, art.' I'm like, Holy s**t, are you f***ing kidding me? I run around and pretend I'm someone else for twelve hours; I record 'Family Guy'. Then I get to go home and watch 'Jersey Shore'."

The Black Eyed Peas tours in Asuncion

2011-11-18T10:24:00.000+04:00

Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas performs during a concert on their Latin America tour at the Jockey Club in Asuncion November 15, 2011

'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn' premieres in London

2011-11-17T12:36:00.000+04:00

Actors Robert Pattinson (L), Kristen Stewart (C) and Taylor Lautner arrive for the British premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn" at Westfield in east London November 16, 2011

'Twilight' premieres in Los Angeles

2011-11-16T09:02:00.000+04:00

Cast member Kristen Stewart poses at the premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles November 14, 2011. The movie opens in the U.S. on Friday.

45th Country Music Association Awards

2011-11-13T15:40:00.000+04:00

Singer Taylor Swift poses with her award for entertainer of the year at the 45th Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee November 9, 2011

Shakira named Person of the Year

2011-11-12T12:52:00.000+04:00

Honoree Shakira arrives at the 2011 Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year tribute dinner and concert honoring her at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada November 9, 2011

Shakira inducted into Hollywood Walk of Fame

2011-11-11T05:12:00.000+04:00

Colombian singer Shakira poses on her star after it was unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California November 8, 2011

Entertainment weekly photos: Oct 31-Nov 6

2011-11-10T10:31:00.000+04:00

Actors Robert Pattinson (L), Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner hold hands after putting their handprints in cement during a hand and footprint ceremony at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California November 3, 2011

Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez perform at MTV awards

2011-11-08T09:10:00.000+04:00

Actress and singer and host of the show Selena Gomez addresses the audience at the MTV Europe Music Awards show in Belfast November 6, 2011

Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez perform at MTV awards

2011-11-07T21:06:00.000+04:00

Actress and singer and host of the show Selena Gomez arrives on the red carpet at the MTV Europe Music Awards show in Belfast November 6, 2011

Selena Gomez speaks on 2011 MRV EMA

2011-11-06T18:53:00.000+04:00

Actress, singer and 2011 MTV EMA host, Selena Gomez, poses for photographers at a news conference at the Odyssey Arena, in Belfast November 5, 2011. The 2011 MTV EMA will be held at the Odyssey Arena on Sunday.

Star tracks in November

2011-11-05T16:22:00.000+04:00

Beyonce Knowles out in New York. Pregnant singer Beyonce Knowles arrives at a business appointment in Midtown, New York, NY on November 3, 2011.

Selena Gomez to stay professional with Bieber

2011-11-02T14:43:00.000+04:00

Selena Gomez isn't worried about having to present Justin Bieber with an award at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs).

The 19-year-old pop star will host the awards ceremony - which will take place on Sunday (06.11.11) in Belfast, Northern Ireland - and insists she will remain professional if her 17-year-old boyfriend, who is to perform at the event, wins a prize.

Asked what she will do if Justin wins and she has to present him with an award in front of the crowd and a worldwide TV audience of millions, Selena said: " It's an awards show which I'm presenting, so I'm sure I'll be fine if I have to present an award to Justin."

Selena is excited about presenting the awards in Belfast as it gives her the opportunity to do some sightseeing as well as check out her favourite acts, though she admits she is worried some of the audience won't know who she is.

She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I can't wait, it's going to be really awesome. I am quite nervous though, especially because it's the European awards, not many people will be that familiar with who I am so there's even more pressure on me to be a good host.

"We're going to try to come up with really fun skits and my band and I will perform. I'm really wanting to make it be about the artists and people that are nominated, I really overall want to make it a fun show, not too crazy, just stuff that's about the music. I'm really excited to see Coldplay perform though, I think they're going to be phenomenal but there are so many great people nominated that it's going to be an awesome show.

"I'm going to come in for rehearsals so I'm really excited at the thought of spending a couple of days in Ireland and hopefully doing some sightseeing too."

The 2011 MTV EMA airs live from Belfast Sunday, 6th November at 9pm on MTV.

Lady Gaga visits India

2011-10-30T11:31:00.000+04:00

U.S. singer Lady Gaga waves during a news conference in New Delhi October 28, 2011. Lady Gaga is on a visit to India this weekend, where she will be part of the star-studded unveiling of the country's first Formula 1 race

Coco Lee marries billionaire

2011-10-29T14:53:00.000+04:00

Singer Coco Lee poses with her husband Bruce Rockowitz, President and CEO of Li & Fung Ltd, during their wedding in Hong Kong October 27, 2011

Michelle Yeoh is 'The Lady'

2011-10-28T17:52:00.000+04:00

Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh poses on the red carpet for her movie "The Lady" directed by French director Luc Besson at Rome Film Festival October 27, 2011

Ashley Greene becomes face of DKNY

2011-10-23T11:22:00.000+04:00

Ashley Greene has become the new face of DKNY and DKNY Jeans.

The 'Twilight' star will appear in the brands' spring 2012 ad campaigns and says she can't wait to get to work.

She revealed: "I've always loved Donna Karan's creations. To be a part of the brands' message is incredibly exciting because it feels like such an organic fit. It's easy to talk about how these clothes work for my lifestyle, whether I'm in New York, L.A. or traveling for work."

Donna Karan vice president Patti Cohen says Ashley was the ideal person to front the campaigns because she is aware of the importance of social media sites such as twitter and Facebook.

She said: "Ashley embodies everything DKNY - her energy, her spirit, her eclectic personal style. She is on the forefront of what it means to connect with a global fan base through social media, a focus that is aligned with our digital and new media initiatives."

Ashley has previously revealed she refuses to get so slim she has a "child's body" as she prefers to have a healthy and toned figure.

She said: "A lot of people like to be super tiny, but I don't want a child's body - I want a woman's body that is extremely fit. It's so much sexier."

Justin Bieber tours in Caracas

2011-10-22T01:23:00.000+04:00

Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber performs during his "My World Tour" concert in Caracas October 19, 2011

'In Time' premieres in California

2011-10-21T15:16:00.000+04:00

Cast member Amanda Seyfried poses at the premiere of "In Time" at the Regency Village Theatre in Westwood, California October 20, 2011. The movie opens in the U.S. on October 28

Reports: French first lady gives birth to girl

2011-10-20T15:04:00.000+04:00

French President Nicolas Sarkozy puts his hands on his pregnant wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy as they greet leaders for dinner at the G8 Summit in Deauville in this May 26, 2011 file photo.

French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy gave birth to a baby girl on Wednesday night - the first infant born to a sitting president of modern-day France, the French media reported.

President Nicolas Sarkozy, finishing up a meeting in Frankfurt on the euro debt crisis, was absent when the couple's first child was born shortly before 8 p.m. (1800 GMT), according to BFM TV. He reportedly arrived at the small, private Muette Clinic about 11 p.m. (0900 GMT) - his third trip Wednesday to the facility.

Europe 1 radio said the birth "went well" for the 43-year-old mother, a singer and former supermodel. She entered the medical facility in western Paris in the morning accompanied by Sarkozy, according to the reports.

There was no official confirmation of the birth. The presidential entourage reiterated earlier Wednesday that no birth announcement would be forthcoming.

The couple had been coy about the impending birth from the start, with measured doses of information.

"It's obviously a happy event," Nadine Morano, a junior minister and friend of the president, told BFM, clearly reacting to the news reports. Sarkozy was "very attentive, full of attention toward Carlo" when he spoke with her by phone on Tuesday during a flight with the minister to Nice, she said.

The couple married in February 2008, less than a year after Sarkozy took office iand less than four months after his divorce from second wife Cecilia Ciganer-Albeniz.

The Italian-born first lady has a 10-year-old son from a previous relationship and the president has three sons from his two previous marriages - and is a grandfather since January.

Sarkozy was seen entering the medical clinic in late afternoon, then leaving about 30 minutes later - before rushing off to Frankfurt for a meeting on the euro debt crisis ahead of a European summit on Sunday. With a scheduled visit Thursday morning to Normandy, Sarkozy was taking a gamble. It was not immediately clear whether he would cancel his visit to Normandy.

The birth ended sometimes breathless speculation about Bruni-Sarkozy's due date. Photographers staked out the clinic since early October, with a security detail limiting their access.

Bruni-Sarkozy has said that she was staying mum about the event because she's superstitious. The couple also decided not to find out the baby's sex in advance.

"You don't have a child for the gallery," Bruni-Sarkozy told French TV network TF1 earlier this month. "I will do everything to protect this child ... I will not show photos of this child, I will never expose this child."

While a newborn surely offers new personal horizons for the presidential couple, the question is whether a baby will bolster the sympathy quotient for the perpetually unpopular Sarkozy, especially if the infant remains in the shadows.

Sarkozy is expected to seek a second mandate in presidential elections six months away. However, recent polls put his chief rival, Socialist candidate Francois Hollande, in the lead.

Elle's 18th Annual Women in Hollywood Tribute

2011-10-19T15:26:00.000+04:00

Actress Evan Rachel Wood poses at Elle's 18th Annual Women in Hollywood Tribute in Los Angeles October 17, 2011

Blake Lively visits Ryan Reynolds

2011-10-18T11:53:00.000+04:00

Blake Lively has made a second visit to see Ryan Reynolds in Boston.

The 'Gossip Girl' actress - who recently split from Leonardo DiCaprio after five months of dating - was reportedly spotted having a romantic dinner with the 35-year-old hunk in exclusive Boston eatery Mistral Bistro last Monday (10.10.11).

A source told the New York Daily News newspaper: "It's getting more serious. Ryan really respects her."

While Blake was said to be keen to spend "a few days" with Ryan, who is filming new movie 'C.I.P.D' in the city, she was only able to stay one night before heading back to New York.

The visit came just days after the 'Change Up' star - who split from wife Scarlett Johansson last December - headed to the Big Apple to visit Blake on the set of 'Gossip Girl' last weekend.

A source previously said: "They hugged and then got in a car together. They became good friends on the set [of 'Green Lantern']. Now they're both single and trying it out. They're seeing each other casually."

During Blake's first visit to Boston, the pair enjoyed a romantic meal at sushi palace O Ya in the Leather District and were reportedly spotted kissing at Boston's South Train Station on October 3.

Despite also having been linked to Charlize Theron and Sandra Bullock since his split from Scarlett, Ryan insists he isn't "potent enough" to handle so many ladies.

He recently said: "Right now I seem to be on a speed-dating mission - at least according to those stories that are going around at the moment. Even my mom is confused. No man is potent enough to be able to go through as many women as that in such a short amount of time like I allegedly have!"

Kristen Stewart: Bella is best in Twilight

2011-10-17T12:09:00.000+04:00

Kristen Stewart says the best character in 'The Twilight Saga' is Bella Swan.

Although she enjoys and respects the other characters in Stephenie Meyer's books, which the film franchise is based on, the 21-year-old actress believes Bella, who she portrays, is the most important persona in the vampire stories.

In an interview with Box Office Magazine, she said: "I sound so lame, but vampire Bella really is my favourite character - she's very representative of a matriarch. She's very intuitive on almost a psychic level and no one ever acknowledges it, which is interesting. And I think it's nice to see her finally get what she wants. That's probably the best thing, even if it sounds simple and indulgent, which is why the thing is criticised all the time. It's nice to see people be happy. And she really - if I've played it right - is born to be where she is."

Kristen admits it was a strange experience shooting the final two movies 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Parts 1 and 2' because the cast were saying goodbye to such a big part of their lives.

The actress also found it difficult to film scenes out of sequence because Bella undergoes so many changes over the two movies, including marrying her vampire lover Edward Cullen - played by her boyfriend Robert Pattinson - giving birth and becoming an undead bloodsucker.

Speaking about the end of the franchise, she explained: "It felt good. It was really weird. It was such a long process of the two movies being shot at the same time as if they're one. You shoot, obviously, out of order and you keep going back and forth between pregnant, human and dead vampire Bella. There's so many different versions of Bella in this, it's insane."

Dyan Cannon book recounts life with Cary Grant

2011-10-16T11:37:00.000+04:00

Actress Dyan Cannon poses for a portrait at her home in West Hollywood, California October 12, 2011.

It was a fairy tale romance that turned in to a stormy marriage, and now Dyan Cannon has chronicled her relationship with Hollywood legend Cary Grant in her new book, "Dear Cary: My Life with Cary Grant."

With an age difference of over 30 years, the duo had a magical courtship in the 1960s that eventually gave way to the dark side of Grant after they were engaged. Following three years of marriage and not long after the birth of their daughter Jennifer, the couple divorced and Cannon suffered a nervous breakdown.

Cannon, now in her early 70s, sat down with Reuters to talk about her former late husband and what she's learned about love over the years.

Q: Why focus the book just on your years with Cary?

A: "I've been offered so much money over the years to write a kiss and tell, which this is not. I wanted this to be a helpful book, an inspirational book. It's really about the little things that happen in our relationships that tear us asunder, so I felt people would benefit from most of this."

Q: Is there an underlying message you wanted to relay?

A: "One of the biggest messages is that it is wonderful to love and to serve and to give. It's wonderful to try and make people happy, but it's impossible to do so."

Q: What was the biggest challenge in writing this book?

A: "I know how people feel about Cary -- they love him. I didn't want people to lose the stars in their eyes about him. I wanted people to love him more at the end of this book than they did before. This book humanizes him. They'll understand what formed him. And I had such compassion for what formed him. But I also suffered a breakdown. So balancing all that was my biggest challenge."

Q: There must have been a lot of stories to sort through.

A: "I didn't know what to put in and what to leave out. The first (draft) was so out of balance. The second time around it started to take shape. The third time I thought, 'Maybe I've got it now.'"

Q: Cary was a big proponent of LSD use and wanted you to do it with him. But for you it was a disastrous experience. Do you think Cary had a drug problem?

A: "Absolutely not. With specificity, no. He thought LSD was his gateway to God, to peace, to that turmoil that wouldn't leave him alone. He thought it helped him, but I don't think it did. If it did, it gave him a peace that enabled him without being tormented 24 hours a day."

Q: Were you able to have a friendship after the divorce?

A: "We were polite."

Q: Was it hard getting your career back on track afterward? Did studio executives have to choose sides?

A: "Maybe some people for a moment. But Mike Frankovich was a good friend of Cary's. He was the head of Columbia Pictures and he chose me for 'Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice' (which earned Cannon an Oscar nomination). So no, not really."

Q: When Cary passed away in 1986 at the age of 82, did that affect you at all?

A: "I was amazed at how I mourned him. I couldn't believe how hammered I was by his death, how deeply I felt his loss. I loved him so dearly, but some of that love had to get pushed down through all the pain."

Q: Was he the greatest love of your life?

A: "I've known a lot of wonderful men. I've known a couple of jerks. And I think the best is yet to come (laughs). I do. Because I understand love now. That's why I can say I'm a whole, satisfied, complete woman. But up to now, I've certainly had no experience with anybody like I had with Cary. I loved him and he loved me. I was the only woman in the world that he trusted enough to have a baby with. That's a big deal to me."

Q: Your daughter, Jennifer, has a three year-old son, Cary Benjamin. Do you see traits of Cary in her or in little Cary?

A: "More with the grandchild. There's traits in Jennifer that remind me of Cary -- wonderful traits. But the little guy, he's something else!."

Q: Will you write another book to encompass all the other aspects of your life?

A: "I'm not sure about writing another book. I've had offers but writing a book is the hardest thing I've ever done. I'd like to write and perform a one-woman show with other people as a part of it. I've talked to a friend of mine, we're contemplating it and I've made a lot of notes. But as far as a second book about my career and things that happened to me? I'm not motivated to do that."

Stars celebrate the 'Decade of Difference'

2011-10-15T14:07:00.000+04:00

Actress Jessica Alba (R) and her husband Cash Warren arrive at The Clinton Foundation Gala in celebration of the organization's "Decade of Difference" in Los Angeles October 14, 2011

Looking for a good film? Head to the museum

2011-10-14T15:53:00.000+04:00

Cast member Johnny Depp waves to fans as he arrives for a photocall to promote the movie ''Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'' at the 64th Cannes Film Festival, May 14, 2011.

When Johnny Depp appears on Thursday at a museum to introduce his movie "The Rum Diary," he will be doing what many stars do these days to promote passion projects that are seeing fewer art houses debut their films.

Depp is putting in a personal appearance to build word-of-mouth buzz for his movie among an audience group that most likely favors dramas over the feel-good comedies and escapist fare that are dominating theaters these days.

Moreover, he will be appearing at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) as part of a movie series backed by Los Angeles-based non-profit group Film Independent and LACMA that, like other museums around the country, are hosting more and more events for movies made outside Hollywood's major studios, as well as foreign-language films and obscure or older titles.

Depp and Bruce Robinson, who directed the movie based on the novel by Depp's friend Hunter S. Thompson, will sit down to discuss "The Rum Diary" with the Film Independent at LACMA curator and former New York Times film critic Elvis Mitchell.

The overall series combines classic movies like Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times" with new films like "Rum Diary" or the soon-to-be released, "Martha Marcy May Marlene," winner of the directing award at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

"I want it to be as expansive and as eclectic a program as possible," Mitchell said of the series. "I think it cuts quite a swath between Bruce Robinson and ('Accatone' director Pier Paolo) Pasolini to Charlie Chaplin and 'Jackie Brown,' the film that opened the series last month.

At the screening of "Jackie Brown," director Quentin Tarantino surprised audiences by showing up to field questions alongside cast members Pam Grier and Robert Forster. Down the road, the series will host a live table read of 1985 Brat Pack film "The Breakfast Club" featuring a surprise cast directed by Jason Reitman ("Up in the Air").

"Audiences don't really get a chance to see actors shaping a performance in front of their eyes," said Mitchell. "There's a whole group of filmgoers who have never seen live theater."

MUSEUMS AND MOVIES

Movies shown at alternative venues is nothing new, of course, but 'extras' like question-and-answer sessions and celebrity appearances are increasingly being used by museums and independent filmmakers as they compete harder than ever for a audiences distracted by information inundation.

Mimi Brody, curator at Northwestern University's Block Museum in Chicago recalls having to discourage students from opening their laptops during screenings.

"It's funny to see from the projection booth a sea of open laptops," she laughs. "They may be on Facebook while we're asking them to watch 'Guys and Dolls.'"

Tom Vick, curator of the Smithsonian Institute's film department, said it is increasingly difficult to generate crowds by simply showing a movie. Ideally, there is some extra ingredient to the mix to make an event special.

Vick currently is collaborating with the museum's contemporary art curator on a show in which video art will be displayed and the artist may be asked to select movies that have influenced their own work.

While fears persist that dramas, foreign-language and older movies by master directors may be crowded out of theaters, most curators remain confident that, over time, nothing will replace the collective experience of seeing a movie on a big screen. They say museums are the perfect place for that.

"You go (to a museum) because you want to get close to the artifact itself," declares National Gallery curator Margaret Parsons. "You don't want to see a digital version, whether it's a painting, a sculpture or some piece of archeological evidence, and likewise for a screening."

SWAT team raid Brad Pitt's World War Z

2011-10-13T23:44:00.000+04:00

A SWAT team has raided the set of Brad Pitt's movie 'World War Z'.

The Special Weapons and Tactics unit was called to a warehouse in Budapest holding props for the horror apocalypse movie where they discovered and seized 85 weapons - including AK-47s and sniper rifles - which all contained live ammunition.

A police spokesperson told gossip website X17 the collection of assault rifles were a "disaster waiting to happen" and claimed an accident could easily have occurred with the loaded weapons.

This is not the only near disaster averted on set, 47-year-old Brad saved an extra from being trampled during a battle scene for the film in Glasgow, Scotland with 700 extras when she fell to the ground.

The quick-thinking actor scooped her up in his arms and put her back on her feet before she faced the risk of getting badly injured.

A source said: "Lots of people hurt themselves and Brad came to the rescue of one woman who slipped. I don't think she could believe it when Brad picked her up.

"He didn't have time to speak to her as it was mid-shoot. But she said afterwards how grateful she was, despite having a grazed knee."

Although the actress had her very own Hollywood hero to save her, many of the other extras weren't so lucky and were left with injuries following the dangerous battle scene.

The source added: "Loads of extras suffered bumps and scrapes. One extra playing a soldier was even hit by a moving car and ended up on the vehicle's bonnet, but fortunately he escaped unhurt."

U.N. goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie visits Libya

2011-10-12T10:41:00.000+04:00

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Goodwill Ambassador and actress Angelina Jolie (C) arrives at a hotel during a visit to Misrata October 11, 2011. Jolie was in Libya on Tuesday for a visit to help agencies bringing aid to Libyans in Tripoli and Misrata. She met representatives from UNHCR, Medecins Sans Frontieres and local non-governmental organisations delivering assistance to Libyans in Misrata and Tripoli

Selena Gomez attends premiere of 'The Thing'

2011-10-11T13:25:00.000+04:00

Actress and singer Selena Gomez poses at the world premiere of "The Thing" at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, California October 10, 2011. The movie opens in the U.S. on October 14

Defense criticizes Jackson crime scene investigation

2011-10-10T11:04:00.000+04:00

An attorney for Michael Jackson's in-house doctor challenged a crime scene investigator on Thursday and suggested she conducted a shoddy examination of the bedroom where the "Thriller" singer stopped breathing in 2009.

Jurors in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray also heard from a toxicologist, who said he found the anesthetic propofol in Jackson's blood, liver, urine and stomach. The sedative lorazepam and other medications were also found in his body.

Authorities have ruled that Jackson died of acute propofol intoxication, combined with the sedative lorazepam.

But the day's most confrontational exchange came during the testimony of coroner's investigator Elissa Fleak. Murray's attorney, Ed Chernoff, mounted the defense team's most forceful challenge since the trial began in Los Angeles on September 27.

Murray has admitted to giving Jackson propofol through an intravenous injection as a sleep aid on June 25, 2009. His attorneys say Jackson gave himself an extra, fatal dose of the drug once Murray was out of the room.

Fleak combed through Jackson's bedroom with police after the singer's death.

"Would you agree with me that you made a substantial number of mistakes in your investigation?" Chernoff asked her.

Fleak denied that suggestion, but acknowledged her original hand-written notes were destroyed when they were transferred into an official report. "I do that in all my cases," she added.

Chernoff questioned Fleak on her assertion that a bottle of propofol was found inside an IV bag.

Investigators found the propofol bottle and IV bag stashed inside a shopping bag in a closet area four days after Jackson's death, Fleak said.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys agree Murray's fingerprint was on the propofol bottle. They also stated that Jackson's fingerprints could not be found on vials of propofol and other drugs retrieved from the bedroom and nearby.

Fleak admitted her original notes did not mention finding the propofol bottle inside the IV bag, and that the first time she placed that in her notes was earlier this year.

But she denied suggestions by Chernoff she had changed her findings to make them fit in with another witness. "I've never talked to prosecutors about another witness," she said.

In one of the odder moments, prosecutors on Thursday also showed jurors a photo of a toy doll, that appeared to be made of porcelain or plastic, and was found on the bed where Jackson was found lying lifeless.

Schwarzenegger opens museum

2011-10-09T09:08:00.000+04:00

A figure from the movie 'The Terminator' is displayed inside the house where Austrian actor, former champion bodybuilder and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was born, in the southern Austrian village of Thal, October 7, 2011. Schwarzenegger officially opened a museum dedicated to his life in the house on Friday

Katy Perry to get fans' help on perfume

2011-10-08T01:06:00.000+04:00

Katy Perry will ask her fans to guess the name of her new perfume via twitter.

The 'California Gurls' hitmaker - who released her debut fragrance Purr, earlier this year - will launch the new scent later this year in association with Gigantic Parfums and from next week on will invite her twitter followers to submit their ideas for its name.

According to WWD, Katy, 26, created the new fragrance while on her 'California Dreams' world tour.

The popstar has previously claimed her Purr fragrance is "like the Goldilocks of perfume", saying people can tell from their very first sniff that the "cute" scent is "just right" and matched perfectly to her wild, fun loving, loud and convivial nature.

She said: "It's like the Goldilocks of perfume. It s not too much, it's not too forgettable, it's just right. It's basically me in a bottle. I think a lot of people go up and they go, 'That's definitely Katy Perry. This is definitely Katy Perry's perfume.' "

She has also gave advice on the best way to apply the scent.

She said: "I usually spray and walk through. I never spray directly on

"I've heard that you're not supposed to spray directly on the skin. Then it's not so concentrated, because everybody knows sometimes when a woman walks into a room, she can smell like her grandmother."

Liz Hurley promotes breast cancer awareness

2011-10-07T08:14:00.000+04:00

Former Australian cricketer Shane Warne (L) stands next to his fiance actress and model Liz Hurley, during a breast cancer awareness campaign event at a department store in Edinburgh, Scotland October 4, 2011

Juliette Binoche at premiere of the movie Copie Conforme in Berlin

2011-10-06T01:25:00.000+04:00

Cast member Juliette Binoche (C) arrives for the German premiere of the movie Copie Conforme (Certified Copy) by director Abbas Kiarostami in Berlin, September 29, 2011.

Rihanna revealed at Madame Tussauds

2011-10-05T20:01:00.000+04:00

Stylists pose for photographers with a wax figure of singer Rihanna during the unveiling at Madame Tussauds in London October 3, 2011

Kirsten Dunst at the British premiere of 'Melancholia'

2011-10-04T21:46:00.000+04:00

Actress Kirsten Dunst poses for photographers as she arrives for the British premiere of "Melancholia" the Curzon cinema in Mayfair, London September 28, 2011.

Star tracks in October

2011-10-03T20:24:00.000+04:00

Lindsay Lohan attends the KW by Kanye West Ready to Wear Spring / Summer 2012 show during Paris Fashion Week at Lycee Henri IV on October 1, 2011 in Paris, France.

Jodie Foster attends premiere of 'Carnage' in NYC

2011-10-02T07:22:00.000+04:00

Cast member Jodie Foster arrives at the premiere of "Carnage" which opens the 49th annual New York Film Festival in New York City September 30, 2011.

Will and Kate visit Royal Marsden Hospital

2011-10-01T03:15:00.000+04:00

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge smiles as she leaves after a visit to the Royal Marsden hospital in Sutton, southern England, September 29, 2011

Heidi Klum releases new fragrance

2011-09-30T16:00:00.000+04:00

German model Heidi Klum poses during the launch of her new fragrance shine in West Hollywood, California September 28, 2011

The screening of 'Midnight In Paris' at opening ceremony of the 64th Cannes Film Festival

2011-09-29T11:53:00.000+04:00

Jury members Uma Thurman (L) and Jude Law arrive on the red carpet for the screening of "Midnight In Paris" by director Woody Allen and for the opening ceremony of the 64th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, May 11, 2011. Twenty films compete at the May 11 to 22 cinema showcase with an impressive roll call of major screen stars, revered "auteur" directors and relative newcomers.

Celebrities pose at Power of Women luncheon

2011-09-25T10:49:00.000+04:00

Actress and honoree Eva Longoria poses at Variety's 3rd Annual Power of Women luncheon in Beverly Hills, California September 23, 2011

A 'Loud' Rihanna on tour

2011-09-24T14:03:00.000+04:00

Rihanna performs at the Nilson Nelson Arena in Brasilia as part of the "Loud" tour September 21, 2011

New Beyonce Pulse fragrance released

2011-09-23T12:29:00.000+04:00

Singer Beyonce poses for a photo while she arrives to debut her newest fragrance Beyonce Pulse at Macy's store in New York, September 22, 2011

Anne Hathaway in talks for Glee role

2011-09-20T13:22:00.000+04:00

Anne Hathaway is to meet with 'Glee' bosses to discuss a role in the show.

The 'Love and Other Drugs' actress has made no secret of her desire to have a cameo role in the musical drama series and creator Ryan Murphy has admitted he is "curious" to see what she would like to do on the programme.

He told MTV News: "I'm meeting with Anne in the next couple weeks. We're not going to do guest stars at all the first half of the season, but I would love to work with her and she supposedly has the whole thing mapped out. I'm curious as to what she wants to do. I love her. I think she's great."

Anne has previously spoken of her desire to appear in 'Glee', revealing she even has specific song ideas in mind for her character, which she would like to be the lesbian aunt of gay student Kurt Hummel - who is played by Chris Colfer.

She said last year: "I would love to be on 'Glee'. Can I make a confession? In my head I've written a part for myself! It's so arrogant and obnoxious, it's like, 'Ryan Murphy no one else wants to be on your show.' But in my head I've cast myself and I know which song I'd sing. I would want to play Kurt's long-lost aunt, his mother's sister who is also gay, who comes back to help him deal with his sexuality and I would sing 'No One Is Alone' from Stephen Sondheim's epic show 'Into the Woods'."

Lily Collins: Julia Roberts is 'creepy and eerie' as evil queen

2011-09-19T15:14:00.000+04:00

Julia Roberts is "creepy and eerie" on the set of 'Brothers Grimm: Snow White'.

The 43-year-old actress is playing the evil queen in the forthcoming adaptation of the classic fairytale, and co-star Lily Collins - who plays the titular beauty - admits she is impressed by the "brilliant" performance she's been giving.

She said: "Everyone loves that Julia smile and laugh and she maintains that, but in such this creepy eerie way that you don't know if you love her or hate her.

"She's brilliant. She's so nice, she's classy, she's just everything I had hoped she'd be."

The 22-year-old actress has been working hard on the film - which is being released at around the same time as 'Snow White and the Huntsman' with Kristen Stewart - and reveals it is close to wrapping.

She added to Access Hollywood: "I flew in this morning, I fly back out tonight, I'm working tomorrow morning. It's been the most incredible experience. I feel like I'm literally in a fairytale every day. And I finish in about a week and a half, so I'm almost done."

Taylor Lautner attends 'Abduction' world premiere

2011-09-17T10:48:00.000+04:00

Cast member Lily Collins poses at the world premiere of "Abduction" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California September 15, 2011. The movie opens in the U.S. on September 23

Cheryl Cole visits troops in Afghanistan

2011-09-15T20:49:00.000+04:00

Cheryl Cole has made a secret trip to Afghanistan to boost troops' morale.

The 'Promise This' singer flew to Camp Bastion in Helmand Province in the south west area of the country last night (13.09.11) to film a special tribute to mark 10 years of UK forces fighting in the war torn region and said she was "delighted" to be there.

A friend of the pop star added: "Cheryl's amazed by the courage of all those serving our country.

"When she was invited to go out to see them in Afghanistan, she immediately said 'yes'.

"She thinks it's such a great cause ad they deserve all of the recognition they get."

Cheryl, 28, flew to Afghanistan on a troop carrier from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire with soldiers from 20 Brigade who are about to start a six-month tour of duty and raised their spirits during the 12-hour flight.

One soldier told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I couldn't believe it was Cheryl joining us.

"It's great she's made the effort to come all the way out here. Not only does she look amazing but it's a pretty big gesture, it's cheered everyone up."

Cheryl underwent hostile environment training before the secret trip and is expected to meet with troops, travel in a heavily-armed Jackal vehicle and attend a performance by the Royal Marine band.

The dog lover will also meet military dogs responsible for sniffing out bombs and members of the counter-Improvised Explosive Device team who are responsible for device disposal.

'Friends With Kids' in Toronto

2011-09-10T21:33:00.000+04:00

Actress Megan Fox arrives on the red carpet for the film "Friends With Kids" during the 36th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, September 9, 2011. TIFF runs from September 8 to 18.

Pattinson: Kristen looks like an alien

2011-09-07T17:57:00.000+04:00

Robert Pattinson thinks Kristen Stewart looks like "an alien".

The 25-year-old heartthrob - who is dating his 'Twilight' co-star, who plays Bella Swan in the vampire franchise - admitted in scenes from 'Breaking Dawn', in which Kristen's alter-ego's baby eats her from inside, he was shocked by how "thin and ghastly" she looks.

He told Premiere magazine: "There are scenes were Bella looks like an alien. When the baby eats her from inside, she looks so thin and ghastly.

"Kristen had to wear this horrible makeup and when I'd see her come on set, I'd ask the crew, 'Are you sure we're filming 'Twilight'? Isn't it supposed to be harmless and PG-13?'"

Despite Robert's concern over his girlfriend's shocking look in the latest 'Twilight' movie, Kristen recently admitted she "loves" playing a vampire.

She said: "I f***ing love being a vampire. I was 17 when I read 'Twilight,' and at the time it was so perfect for me.

"The script was about young kids who think they can handle stuff that they just can't. And they're going to do it anyway. Because, why not? Just torture yourself. I relate to that. Vampires are a little dangerous - and we girls like to test ourselves."

Star tracks in August

2011-09-06T14:12:00.000+04:00

David Beckham was seen launching his children into the Malibu surf while playing with Gordon Ramsay and family at the beach in California, August 21, 2011

Actress Winslet poses during 68th Venice Film Festival

2011-09-05T14:37:00.000+04:00

Actress Evan Rachel Wood (L) gestures as she poses with Kate Winslet during a photocall of film "Mildred Pierce" by director Todd Haynes at the Film Cinema's Place in Venice during the 68th Venice Film Festival September 2, 2011

Star tracks in August

2011-09-04T06:55:00.000+04:00

Kylie Minogue was seen in London on August 31, 2011

Director Madonna arrives on the 'W.E' red carpet in Venice

2011-09-03T03:21:00.000+04:00

U.S. pop star and director Madonna, poses for photographers as she arrives on the "W.E" red carpet at the 68th Venice Film Festival in Venice September 1, 2011

Vittoria Puccini for the 68th Venice Film Festival

2011-09-02T06:18:00.000+04:00

Italian actress Vittoria Puccini poses for photographers in Venice August 30, 2011. The 68th Venice Film Festival will take place from August 31 to September 10, 2011

Beyonce's baby bump reveal sparks Twitter record

2011-09-01T01:04:00.000+04:00

Singer Beyonce places her hands on her belly as she poses at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles August 28, 2011.

Beyonce's pregnant performance at the MTV Video Music Awards sparked a Twitter record.

When Beyonce performed at 10:35 p.m. EDT Sunday night, there were 8,868 tweets per second. Twitter said that rate was a record for the service.

At the VMAs, Beyonce revealed a baby bump, cupping her growing belly for photographers as she arrived and rubbing her tummy when she performed. The 29-year-old singer is married to Jay-Z.

The VMAs drew MTV's biggest audience since the network began measuring its viewership. Sunday night's show attracted 12.4 million viewers.

2011 MTV Video Music Awards

2011-08-31T01:42:00.000+04:00

Singer Selena Gomez poses on arrival at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles August 28, 2011

2011-08-30T16:38:00.000+04:00

Chinese actress Fan Bingbing poses with a "bald" look for the September issue of Esquire.

The battle of September covers of renowned magazines is on.

September, the month that marks the change of seasons, is critical for magazines. Editors give it all they've got in coming up with great ideas and producing an excellent issue.

The cover, as the first thing readers see, naturally becomes the most important part that goes into making a magazine. The best of the best will be used, from photographers, stylists, makeup artists and the most attractive and 'in' models or stars.

Cosmopolitan invited Angelababy, a Hong Kong based model, to add new vitality into the cover. Harper's BAZAAR asked Tang Wei to shoot a face-shot cover with dazzling and charming red lips. Zhang Ziyi and Shu Qi both collaborated with ELLE and shot feminine and graceful covers. Vogue and Marie Claire gathered supermodels to cover this significant month.

Chinese actress Fan Bingbing has joined hands with top-class men's magazine Esquire and worked up quite a transformation for the magazine's 15th anniversary issue. Her delicate features and beautiful locks were nowhere to be seen with her new 'bald' head and masculine expression, making her stand out among the numerous feminine covers of other magazines.

This is the third time Fan Bingbing worked with Esquire. When asked whether she is scared for her upcoming 30th birthday, Fan replied: "I'm scared of drinks with color, nightmares and tanning under the sun, but I'm not afraid of turning 30."

The world's richest couples

2011-08-29T04:49:00.000+04:00

5. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart: $40 million

"Twilight" stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have both hauled in $20 million last year. The "Twilight" series have earned the couple their fame and pay, but with the franchise coming to an end, these young starlets must both prepare for post-vampire careers. Will they become one-hit wonders? Hopefully not, and I wish them both the best.

The world's richest couples

2011-08-28T06:06:00.000+04:00

4. David Beckham and Victoria Beckham: $45 million

With a total earning of $45 million, David Beckham is in fourth place with his wife, Victoria. The football superstar's falling position in the athletic world did not seem to affect the number of zeros in his paycheck. Beckham has earned a total of $40 million from endorsements like Adidas and Samsung, while wife "Posh" Spice cashed in the other $5 million from the earnings from her fashion line.

The world's richest couples

2011-08-27T14:36:00.000+04:00

3. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt: $50 million

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt came in third on list with an annual income of $50 million. Jolie currently holds the title as the highest-paid actress in the world and made $30 million for starring in only two movies in the 12-month period. Pitt, on the other hand, cashed in about $20 million, and has been keeping himself busy both as a producer and an actor.

The world's richest couples

2011-08-26T20:26:00.001+04:00

2. Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z: $72 million

Undoubtedly the most powerful couple in the music scene right now, Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z pocketed more than $72 million over the past year, earning them a steady position as number two on Forbes' list. The R&B diva hauled in $35 million from deals and endorsements while the rap mogul earned his portion from the 10-year $150 million Live Nation deal and as a shareholder in New Jersey Nets, 40/40 Club chain and ad firm Translation.

The world's richest couples

2011-08-25T14:04:00.000+04:00

If the combination is right, two of anything can act together to produce a sum that's larger than two. However, according to Forbes, one plus one equals "millions" when it comes to celebrity couples - $283 million, to be exact. That's the estimated sum earned by the world's highest-paid celebrity couples between May 2010 and May 2011, according to data from Forbes' latest Celebrity 100 list.

1. Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady: $76 million

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen had a busy year, thanks to her fashion and endorsement deals and a few business ventures. With a $45 million paycheck in her pocket, Bundchen could become the world's first billionaire supermodel. NFL superstar Tom Brady, who married Bundchen in 2009, has just signed a four-year, $72 million contract extension with the New England Patriots. He has earned a whopping $31 million within the 12-month period, putting the duo's gross annual earning at $76 million.