"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.

Dallerup: 'I will not shower naked'

Strictly Come Dancing's Camilla Dallerup has insisted that she will not shower naked on I'm A Celebrity....

However, the Danish professional dancer, 35, confessed that she is packing a bikini to emulate 2006 contestant Myleene Klass.

"Myleene looked fantastic and I think she did come across so lovely on the show. I think it is important to get a bikini because I certainly will not be showering naked," she said.

"I shall find one that doesn't fall down when you're showering. But, I have heard that the water is quite cold."

Dallerup also revealed that she is hoping to organise a dancing competition for her fellow celebrities.

"I definitely think dancing may need to be brought to the campfire. I think that we will need some entertainment and exercise when we are out there, so as not get too bored," she stated. "I just hope they are up for a dance.

"If the other teammates are up for it, I think it could be great to have a competition. We could have a goal together, sort of a bit of team-building. You do a lot of team-building anyway using dance, and it could be quite fun to see if it could help, especially if we have a bad day or something, a bit of dancing could bring us back and have a laugh."

Taylor Swift boosts ratings for country awards

Singer Taylor Swift performs "Fifteen" at the 43rd annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville November 11, 2009.

Taylor Swift's clean sweep of the Country Music Assn. Awards helped the broadcast reach its biggest audience in four years, according to preliminary figures released on Thursday.

The three-hour show averaged 16.8 million viewers for ABC on Wednesday, up from 15.9 million last year. It marks the highest score since 2005, when 17.7 million people tuned in to the CBS broadcast.

Still, viewership was off by more than half from the record of 36 million set in 1978, when Dolly Parton was named entertainer of the year.

Swift, 19, won that same prize this year, becoming the youngest person to win the show's top honor. She also walked away with a trio of statuettes for female vocalist, album and video.

The CMA ceremony outdrew the rival Academy of Country Music Awards, which pulled in 14.8 million viewers in April. But the Grammys, the music industry's top event, attracted 19.1 million viewers in February.

France makes Eastwood's day, gives him top honor

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) shakes hands with U.S. actor and director Clint Eastwood after Eastwood received the Commandeur de la Legion d'Honneur award during a ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris, November 13, 2009.

President Nicolas Sarkozy awarded U.S. actor and director Clint Eastwood one of France's top honors on Friday, hailing him as a cinema legend and a symbol of the type of America that the French adored.

It is unusual for a foreigner to be elevated to the rank of commander of the French Legion of Honor but Eastwood, who went from playing tough guy roles like Dirty Harry to directing highly praised films, said he saw France as his second home.

"My wife chastised me saying if that was true why don't I speak French," he told friends and officials gathered at the Elysee Palace for the ceremony, promising to take lessons.

He jokingly referred to Sarkozy as "my president" after receiving the red-ribboned medal, and said he planned to go out and show off his award.

"As a commander of the arts and letters, I think I will go out on the streets of France today and throw my weight around," said Eastwood, 79, who recently finished making a supernatural thriller in France, "Hereafter."

Sarkozy said French admiration for U.S. cinema helped transcend any problems the two countries might have had in the past -- a veiled reference to France's fierce opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

"When one loves the cinema of a people, one loves the people," the president said.

He called Eastwood, whose line "Go ahead, make my day" became a global catchphrase, "a myth, a giant, an example of the admiration we have for American culture."

He added that problems between the two countries had only arisen "when America was not as big as we would have liked in our dreams.

"You, you have never let us down," he added.

Film "The Princess and the Frog" premiere at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank

Co-stars Anika Noni Rose (L) and Bruno Campos arrive for the premiere of "The Princess and the Frog" at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California November 15, 2009.

Night owl Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera is "naturally a night owl".

The 'Dirrty' singer - who has a 21-month-old son Max with her music executive husband Jordan Bratman - finds balancing motherhood and work difficult because she is at her most productive in the early hours of the morning.

She said: "When the sun goes down my whole body starts to come alive, although I am a little different now because I do have a child and my hours have been turned upside down for him.

"But I'm still naturally a night owl. If it were up to me my favourite time to work would be between three to four a.m., which is what it used to be before my baby was born."

The 28-year-old star has previously spoken about how having Max has forced her into changing her sleeping patterns.

She explained: "Now I'm a mother, I am getting up earlier. It's 6am every day but I'm a night owl regardless, which means that, for me, going to bed early means trying to get to sleep by 12.30am."

Beyonce Knowles' windy evening

Beyonce Knowles requested a 'wind machine' at a London nightclub.

The 'Crazy In Love' singer hired new nightspot Kanaloa to party with the crew and dancers from her 'I Am Sasha Fierce' world tour and stunned event organisers with her bizarre request.

A source said: "Beyonce arrived at about midnight with a massive entourage.

"On her table, alongside huge treasure chest cocktails, she had a big industrial fan which remained just inches from her face to keep her hair blowing everywhere - just like it does in her 'Crazy in Love' video."

This is not the first time the 'If I Were A Boy' hitmaker's extravagance has drawn attention this week.

While performing in Liverpool, the singer booked a separate hotel room to house her 21 pieces of luggage.

A source at the city's Malmaison hotel - where the star took a £170-a-night room for her luggage - said: "She had seven suitcases, three hand-luggage bags and two boxes, all for her mammoth concert. In the cases there were, apparently, 14 dresses, lots of shoes, make-up and 25 wigs."

It took four helpers to carry her luggage up the stairs to the room, which was situated close to the Liverpool Echo Arena, where she performed twice this week.

Mulan in box office battle

Hong Kong director Jingle Ma's movie Mulan is set to join the year-end battle at the Chinese box office. The historical epic that is set for release across China on Nov 27, will premiere at the Beijing Workers' Stadium on Nov 16.

At a press conference on Monday, Vicky Zhao (Zhao Wei, pictured), who was joined by Jaycee Chan, and plays the title role, said she was confident it would not disappoint moviegoers.

Asked about its rivals at the box office, the actress revealed that she was most keen on watching director Zhang Yimou's Amazing Tale: Three Guns.

Penelope Cruz and Blake Lively attend screening of "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee" in NY

Actress Penelope Cruz attends a screening of "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee" in New York November 15, 2009.

Report: Mel Gibson welcomes eighth child

Mel Gibson has become “Octo-Mel,” according to RadarOnline.

The actor has reportedly welcomed a baby daughter, his first child with girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, the site reported.

The baby reportedly arrived a few weeks early from the Russian singer’s December due date.

Mel’s longtime rep had no comment on the report when reached by Access Hollywood.

Mel has seven children with his estranged wife, Robyn, who filed for divorce in April.

Mel stepped out publicly with Oksana shortly thereafter.

He confirmed her pregnancy on “The Tonight Show” in May, explaining to then-host Jay Leno that he and Robyn had been separated for “three years.”

“I guess I’m Octo-Mel,” he joked at the time.

While RadarOnline reported Mel and Oksana as engaged, the singer said during an appearance on Britain’s “GMTV” in September that the couple had no plans to walk down the aisle.

“We have no plans whatsoever. I haven’t thought about it – we haven’t spoken about it,” she said at the time.

The new baby is the second child for Oksana, who has a 12-year-old child with former “James Bond” star Timothy Dalton.

Steven Tyler quits Aerosmith

Steven Tyler has reportedly quit Aerosmith.

The 61-year-old frontman is said to have walked out on the 'Crazy' rockers after a performance in Abu Dhabi last month and his bandmates have not heard from him since.

Guitarist Joe Perry told the Las Vegas Sun newspaper: "Steven quit as far as I can tell. I don't know anymore than you do about it. I got off the plane two nights ago. I saw online that Steven said that he was going to leave the band."

Perry claims Tyler - father of Hollywood actress Liv Tyler - has refused to take his phone calls to let the rest of the band know what's going on.

He said: "He has had no contact with me or the other band members. He's notorious for that, that's one thing I've learned to live with. I try to overlook it

"Obviously he hasn't been giving 100 per cent to this thing for a long time. He's obviously had this planned for a long time. To disregard his brothers to the point where we have to find out about it on the internet. I still care for him as a person, or at least the person I used to know. But things change."

Perry says the band - who were forced to cancel shows earlier this year after Tyler was taken to hospital after falling ill during one concert - are now looking for a replacement.

He said: "As far as replacing Steve... We'll probably find somebody else that will sing in those spots where we need a singer and then we'll be able to move the Aerosmith up a notch, move the vibe up a notch."

Megan Fox no Angelina

Sexy 'Jennifer's Body' star Megan Fox says she's nothing like Angelina Jolie, even though the brunette pair have frequently attracted comparisons for their similar looks and penchant for wild statements.

Megan Fox doesn't want to be like Angelina Jolie.

The sexy 'Jennifer's Body' actress has frequently been compared to the 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith' star since her break-through role in 2007's 'Transformers', but despite the brunettes' similar looks and penchant for wild statements, the younger actress insists they are poles apart .

Megan, 23, said: "People compare me to Angelina Jolie, and she's so serious and stoic. I'm the opposite.

"I'm not a tigress like Angelina. Of course, people want me to be. But I want to be the contradiction of that."

Megan - who was caught in a furore after she compared 'Transformers' director Michael Bay to Nazi party leader Adolf Hitler - blamed the Angelina comparisons for people taking her too seriously.

She said: "When I do interviews, I say things that I think are hysterical. But because we live in a world of sound bites, you're not allowed to have a sense of humour.

"Sarcasm doesn't translate in print at all. And neither does self-deprecating humour."

Megan also said she had doubts about her own acting skills, unlike Oscar-winner Angelina.

She told the New York Times newspaper: "I don't know if I'm talented, I don't know what I can do or can't do. I had no skills at all. As a child, I had it in my head that I was supposed to be doing this, and then I did it. But I didn't know what I was doing."

Ugly duckling Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Scherzinger always thought she was ugly.

The 31-year-old Pussycat Doll - who is currently working alone after the group decided to take a temporary break in order to pursue solo projects - said she only started to feel attractive once she joined the group in 2003.

She said: "Growing up, I was incredibly shy. And awkward. And lanky! I always thought I was an ugly duckling. I guess it worked out OK in the end. Ultimately though, true beauty shines from within.

"I know joining the group helped me to find out who I am - and I love the message that any woman can be strong, confident and sexy."

The 'Don't Cha' singer said dancing with the band - who have been criticised for their overly explicit moves - had helped her to feel sexy.

Nicole - who is dating motor racing ace Lewis Hamilton - added to Britain's Cosmopolitan magazine: "I consider myself sexy when I'm dancing with the Dolls. It brings out an inner strength, a bolder attitude and a fiery, fearless spirit.

"But away from the stage I can be a different person. I'm either shy or goofy, depending on my mood."

Madonna left Jesus behind

Madonna banned her toyboy lover Jesus Luz from accompanying her on her recent trip to Malawi as she was worried her African hosts would be upset by their age gap.

Madonna reportedly made her toyboy lover Jesus Luz stay at home on her recent visit to Malawi.

The 51-year-old singer banned the 23-year-old Brazilian model from accompanying her on the trip because she was reportedly worried their age gap would upset her African hosts.

But Jesus was devastated at the snub and had wanted to be seen by her side as she oversaw work on her academy for girls in the poverty-stricken country start.

A source told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "Their difference in age could have embarrased some people there."

Jesus - who has been dating the mother-of-four since last year - has been desperate for their relationship to be "taken seriously" and last week introduced the pop star to his mother.

Devoted Madonna flew out to Brazil to meet Jesus Luz's 36-year-old mother Cristiane Regina da Silva at a hotel where the two women reportedly sat chatting for several hours.

After the successful meeting, the lovebirds - who have since been spotted at a string of top restaurants in Rio de Janiero - are now expected to get engaged.

The couple had reportedly rowed after Madonna - who has children Lourdes, 12, Rocco, nine, and adopted David and Mercy, both four - said she would rather be "run over by a train" than marry again following her split from movie director Guy Ritchie.

But according to the twice-married singer's biographer Randy Taraborrelli, she has already had a change of heart.

He said: "Madonna is telling close friends and family that, 'I definitely see myself marrying him. It's on the table.' "

Robert Pattinson promotes film "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" in Munich

Actor Robert Pattinson reacts during a promotion tour for his latest film "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" in Munich November 14, 2009.

Lady Gaga's sex accessory

Lady Gaga says condoms are her favourite accessory.

The fashion-forward singer - who is known for sporting a series of bizarre hats, gloves and shoes - was honoured with a Stylemaker award at the 13th annual Accessories Council Exchange (ACE) Awards on Monday (02.11.09) and used her acceptance speech as an opportunity to promote safe sex.

Accepting the award from designer Marc Jacobs, she said: "I think we must all remember that the ultimate accessory is the condom."

The outspoken singer's fashion outlook is in contrast to her musical attitude, after she recently said song writing was like "mind-blowing, irresponsible, condomless sex."

She explained: "Writing a record is like dating a few men at once. You take them to the same restaurants to see if they measure up, and at some point you decide who you like best.

"When you make music or write or create, it's really your job to have mind-blowing, irresponsible, condomless sex with whatever idea it is you're writing about at the time."

Nicole Richie granted order

Nicole Richie has been granted a temporary restraining order against two paparazzi who harass her "on a daily basis."

The 28-year-old socialite - who was involved in a car accident last month when two photographers, Eduardo Arrivebene and Ivon Miguel, crashed into her vehicle - said they had caused her "severe emotional distress."

A statement filed by Nicole - who is dating Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden - claimed the two photographers would "scream at me in an attempt to get my reaction, scare me, follow me, chase me in their vehicle."

Nicole added: "I am fearful that their continued presence may cause yet another accident, this time with my infant children in the vehicle."

The two men have been ordered to stay 100 yards away from Nicole and her two children, Harlow, 21 months, and Sparrow, six weeks.

A Los Angeles judge issued the temporary order on Friday (30.10.09) and a further hearing on November 16 will determine whether the instruction will be made permanent.

Following last month's accident, Eduardo, who was driving the car which hit Nicole's, was arrested for driving without a license. He was released on $1,225 bail.

Film "Inglourious Basterds" premieres in Tokyo

Actor Brad Pitt attends the Japan premiere of the movie "Inglourious Basterds" in Tokyo November 4, 2009.

Lady GaGa LP 'won't include real hair'

Lady GaGa has confirmed that she will not be giving away locks of her real hair with the deluxe edition of her new album The Fame Monster.

The 'Poker Face' singer revealed that she is instead including strands from her wig collection in the record's collector's package, Angry Ape reports.

GaGa explained: "I have worn a lot of wigs over the years. I get to wear my real hair now because it is super-healthy - but I have worn a lot of wigs and I just said to the guys, 'Why don't you just give away locks of my hair?'

"Some people are saying it is creepy - but they don't know my fans. My fans love my hair and they want my hair."

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes share romantic walk in Boston

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes share a romantic walk in Boston, Nov.01,2009.