Hollywood studio delays movie releases due to economic crisis

The current financial crisis undergoing in Wall Street and Corporate America has begun to impact the entertainment industry, despite the fact that Hollywood typically takes advantage of such hard times to allure frustrated consumers into movie theaters.

Paramount Pictures is shuffling its fall and holiday season release schedule by delaying two star-driven drama movies, probably due to the economic crisis, studio budget woes and market competition, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

Paramount Pictures is shuffling its fall and holiday season release schedule by delaying two star-driven drama movies, probably due to the economic crisis.

The studio will push "The Soloist" from Thanksgiving week to March 13 and "Defiance" from mid-December to a limited, Oscar-qualifying December 31 release, followed by a wide expansion in January.

Paramount said this week that it would streamline its release slate going forward, aiming to put out no more than 20 movies a year. The studio's management is under heightened pressure from corporate parent Viacom to find efficiencies amid a tough economic climate, according to the report.

"The Soloist," starring Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx as a homeless violin player, will still open the American Film Institute Festival in Los Angeles late this month, but the release date change knocks it out of the 2008 race for the Academy Awards and other honors.

The economic crisis might have made November an awkward time to release a movie about homelessness, studio executives privately told the newspaper, although "The Soloist" is meant to be an uplifting tale.

Meanwhile, Paramount is delaying the release of World War II drama "Defiance" starring Daniel Craig as the studio may want more distance from the latest James Bond film "Quantum of Solace" from Sony Pictures. The 007 movie film, also starring Craig, is scheduled to open November 14.

Another consideration is that the delay could allow the studio to push off much of the movie's release costs to next year, according to the report.

McCain almost heads wrong way off stage after final debate

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A mind spinning debate.

U.S. Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) reacts to almost heading the wrong way off the stage after shaking hands with Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) at the conclusion of the final presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, Oct. 15, 2008.

Eva Mendes promotes Calvin Klein's Seductive Comfort bras in London

Eva Mendes promotes Calvin Klein's new range of Seductive Comfort bras at Harrods on October 14, 2008 in London, England.

Eva Mendes promotes Calvin Klein's new range of Seductive Comfort bras at Harrods on October 14, 2008 in London, England.

Eva Mendes promotes Calvin Klein's new range of Seductive Comfort bras at Harrods on October 14, 2008 in London, England.

Eva Mendes promotes Calvin Klein's new range of Seductive Comfort bras at Harrods on October 14, 2008 in London, England.

Vanessa Hudgens: I got attacked

Vanessa Hudgens claims she was attacked last week, not Zac Efron.

The 'High School Musical' stars - who are enjoying an off-screen romance - were leaving London's Apollo theatre last Wednesday when a man in his 40s pushed past security to approach the pair.

Although it had been reported he lunged for Zac, 20, his 19-year-old girlfriend insists the unnamed man cut her face.

She told US TV show 'Access Hollywood': "I actually got hit in the face! If anything, I was the one who got attacked, not Zac.

"There was a guy who was walking down the street and I think he was a little drunk and he got pushed into the craziness of it all. He was blocking the door so our bodyguard had to push him aside.

"I looked in the mirror and got a huge scratch and I was bleeding."

Zac has revealed he wasn't even aware of the attack until they returned to their waiting car.

He said: "I just heard about it. I was just focused on the van door - I've got to get to it. I got in the van and we drove away. I don't remember getting harassed."

Jolie: Obama win would be "nice" for family

Angelina Jolie isn't giving away who she's backing in the U.S. presidential election, but she does have good things to say about Barack Obama.

The actress and activist tells the German edition of Vanity Fair that the Democratic contender for president comes down on the same side of several issues that she does.

Angelina Jolie (right) and Brad Pitt are seen here as they leave the Festival Palace during the 61st Cannes International Film Festival, on May 20, in southern France.

Asked if she finds Obama and his background an example to her family, she replies, "Naturally that's good, but it's not a sufficient reason to vote for him.

"Obama fights for international justice, he wants to militarily intervene in cases of genocide, and close Guantanamo Bay. These are the things that could move me to vote for him, not his roots."

She then adds, "Naturally, an American president like Barack Obama would be nice for my family."

Jolie and actor Brad Pitt are parents to six children, three of whom were adopted from other nations - Cambodia, Ethiopia and Vietnam.

Obama's family similarly has members from different countries: his mother is American and his late father was Kenyan.

Jolie's father, Jon Voight, has campaigned for Republican candidate John McCain.

French "Spiderman" climbs InterContinental Hotel Phoenicia in Beirut

French 'Spiderman' Alain Robert climbs the facade of the InterContinental Hotel Phoenicia in Beirut October 11, 2008.
French "Spiderman" Alain Robert climbs the facade of the InterContinental Hotel Phoenicia in Beirut October 11, 2008.

French "Spiderman" Alain Robert climbs the facade of the InterContinental Hotel Phoenicia in Beirut October 11, 2008.

French "Spiderman" Alain Robert climbs the facade of the InterContinental Hotel Phoenicia in Beirut October 11, 2008.

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