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Cuban officials have given actor BENICIO DEL TORO’s revolutionary new film CHE the green light to show in the country after satisfying the government with its depiction of former president FIDEL CASTRO.
The forthcoming film, which depicts the rise and fall of Argentine revolutionary Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, came under fire from New Latin American Film Festival president Alfredo Guevara in July (08) for its controversial storyline.
Guevara said that film would not be shown in the country if it included any "attacks" on Castro - but the four-hour film is now set to be shown at the event.
However, Del Toro, director Steven Soderbergh and the film’s American stars will still have to get government permission to attend the screenings, scheduled for next month (Dec08).

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HALEY JOEL OSMENT and JOHN LEGUIZAMO’s run in Broadway play AMERICAN BUFFALO is likely to be one of the New York theatreworld’s shortest ever - it’s set to close after less than a week.
The David Mamet play opened on Monday (17Nov08) with much fanfare and boasting an impressive cast that also includes Cedric the Entertainer.
But it has fallen foul of both critics and theatregoers, with only 50 per cent of seats currently being filled.
Producers are preparing to cut their losses and close on Sunday (23Nov08), unless ticket sales improve dramatically, according to industry paper Daily Variety.

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Rap group WU-TANG CLAN have re-teamed with sports brand Fila to launch a new style of footwear.
The Gravel Pit stars have designed the new Wu-Tang Weathertech boot - their second collaboration with Fila bosses since the special edition C.R.E.A.M.
shoe, which was released in 2007.
Wu-Tang Clan business partner and executive producer Oliver ‘Power’ Grant says, "The partnership with Fila began during our early days and our latest product represents the ongoing mutual respect we have for the brand today." The new Weathertech shoe is based on the classic Fila boot style and the group is hoping to have the footwear in stores in time for Christmas (08).

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Former EURYTHMICS rocker DAVE STEWART is mixing music with sex - by giving a new song away free to those who buy a special new vibrator.
Stewart wants fans to listen to the raunchy track, called Let’s Do It again, while using the Little Something vibrator - so you’ll only be able to hear the song if you splash out on the toy.
Special editions will even feature the lyrics printed on the side.
A video to accompany the track features on the website of manufacturers JimmyJane, who are describing the venture as "a multi-faceted mash up of design, luxury, sex and music".

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Country rocker CLINT BLACK is suing his manager and accountant, alleging CHARLES SUSSMAN mishandled his finances.
The Grammy winner’s lawsuit claims Sussman "repeatedly engaged in self-dealing, negligence, and/or gross negligence" with his millions.
Black accuses his former business partner of persuading him to pump more than $500,000 (£333,000) into Equity Records, the small label the pair hold shares in.
He claims he was tricked into backing the label, and led to believe it had rising country stars Little Big Town signed to a longterm contract - when in fact the group had only a two-album deal and quit soon after.
Black also accuses Sussman of taking a salary from Equity without his knowledge, reports the Nashville Post newspaper.
The star is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

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A rapper from Atlanta, Georgia has been sentenced to 20 years behind bars for shooting a man - after rhyming about his crime and naming his victim in a new track.
Rico Todriquez Wright was convicted of the September 2006 shooting of Chad Blue in a Georgia court on Monday (17Nov08).
Blue told the jury how he’d been chased down by former associate Wright on the day of the incident, before he was injured in the thigh and groin.
But Wright, 25, was only found guilty after Blue heard the rapper refer to their encounter on a song, in which he says, "Chad Blue knows how I shoot" and reported it to the police.
Wright was handed a 20-year prison sentence for aggravated assault, and will spend a further 20 years on probation.

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Hollywood actor JOSH HARTNETT was reportedly spotted enjoying another intimate evening in London with British star SIENNA MILLER - fuelling rumours they are dating.
Hartnett is currently living in the English capital while he stars in the new West End production of Rain Man.
The pair is said to have enjoyed a secret date last week (beg10Nov08) at the exclusive Shoreditch House members’ bar in East London, according to The London Paper.
A source tells the publication, "They definitely looked like a couple - and a good looking one at that! At one point, they were holding hands across the table, but they quickly hid them underneath. They looked really cosy as they dined, gazing into each other’s eyes, smiling and laughing. They continued talking and drinking until very late into the evening - there was definitely a buzz in the air.” The pair was previously spotted together two weeks ago at an event in West London, shortly after Miller confirmed her recent split from married actor Balthazar Getty, who she began dating in June (08).

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Bosses at fast food firm Taco Bell have hit back at rapper 50 CENT’s lawsuit accusing the company of using his name in an advertising campaign without his permission.
The In Da Club hitmaker, real name Curtis Jackson, filed a $4 million (£2.6 million) suit in New York’s Manhattan federal court in July (08), accusing the chain of "diluting the value of his good name" by using it in conjunction with its 79-89-99 Cent Why Pay More campaign, thereby fooling customers into thinking he had endorsed the franchise.
In an open letter widely published in June (08), Taco Bell bosses offered to make a $10,000 (£6,660) donation to a charity of 50 Cent’s choice if he agreed to change his name for one day. They stipulated he must visit one of the chain’s restaurants and rap his order at the drive-thru window - using a new moniker: 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent.
But lawyer Robert Lehrburger, who is acting on behalf of Taco Bell, has lashed out at 50 - insisting his "good name" claim is invalid because he is a "self-described former drug dealer and hustler" whose "gangsta rap" is associated with violent criminals, reports the New York Daily News.
In a letter sent in September (08) to Manhattan Federal Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald, Lehrburger says, "Jackson has used his colourful past to cultivate a public image of belligerence and arrogance and has a well-publicised track record of making threats, starting feuds and filing lawsuits.
"At the same time, Jackson holds himself out as a giver to charity and one who wants to give back to his community. This lawsuit is another of Jackson’s attempts to burnish his gangsta rapper persona by distorting beyond all recognition a bona fide, good faith offer that Taco Bell made to Jackson." 50 Cent has been open about his drug dealer past and when he was shot nine times outside his grandmother’s home in Queens, New York in 2000.

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Actor MARK WAHLBERG wants to move his family out of Hollywood - because he doesn’t want his daughter to grow up emulating her neighbours PARIS HILTON and BRITNEY SPEARS.
The Departed star insists his main priority is providing positive and educational surroundings for his young children - daughter Ella Rae, five, and sons Michael, two, and newborn Brendan Joseph.
And he admits that celebrity-obsessed Hollywood may not be the best place for kids to grow up.
He says, "We won’t stay there forever but it’s very difficult to raise normal kids in an environment like that. And I was thinking there’s no real role models for girls.
"You’ve got Britney Spears, you’ve got Paris Hilton; they’re nice enough people but I don’t want my daughter to aspire to be like that.
"I’m much more concerned with being a good dad and being there for them and teaching them and hopefully helping them avoid some of the mistakes that I’ve made."

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Hollywood actor BEN AFFLECK has been visiting refugee camps in the Democratic Republic of Congo - in a bid to draw more attention to the war-torn country.
The Pearl Harbor star met with aid officials and toured refugee bases on a trip to the Central African country, where some 250,000 people have been displaced by fighting.
Innocent civilians have had to put up with years of violence, mainly in eastern Congo, that escalated further this year (Aug08) when fighting heated up between the army and loyalists of rebel leader Laurent Nkunda.
And Affleck, who has made a documentary about the country’s problems, is urging the world to take notice and help stop the suffering of innocent civilians.
He says, "I’m not an expert in international affairs or diplomacy, but it doesn’t take that to see the tremendous suffering here. It’s not something that we as human beings can, in good conscience, ignore.
"I’m really glad that more people are paying more attention to (Congo) now but I’m really saddened that it’s taken this uptick (increase) in violence to make that happen." And Affleck hopes speaking out about the problems in the area will attract others to turn their attentions to the Congo, just like pal George Clooney has done for the troubled region of Darfur in Sudan.
He adds, "My hope in being here is primarily to bring attention to the fact that there’s a real lack of (aid agencies) here, a real lack of money going to these folks."

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LINDSAY LOHAN’s father MICHAEL has been forced to delay his forthcoming charity boxing match until next year (09), after parole officers pulled him out of the fight.
The bout against computer boss Bob Venero - who pledged $30,000 (£20,000) at auction to climb into the ring with Lohan - was scheduled for Monday (24Nov08) in Long Island, New York.
But Lohan has been forced to postpone until March (09), when his parole ends following a two-year jail sentence.
He was charged with driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle after the 2004 arrest, following an attack on his ex-wife Dina’s brother.
A spokesperson for the New York State Division of Parole says, "Mr. Lohan was convicted of assault, which is a violent crime, and is currently under parole supervision until February of 2009.
"We do not feel that participating in a violent activity, such as celebrity boxing, whether it is for charity or not, is appropriate for his rehabilitation. It is inappropriate for a person on parole to engage in the same type of behaviour that landed him in prison in the first place." Lohan tells the New York Daily News he is "very disappointed" but understands the decision.
He adds, "I’ve been on parole for almost two years now, and being that everything has gone so well, I didn’t want to cross the line in any way with them." And Lohan already has another contender in mind - music producer Mark Ronson, the brother of Lindsay’s girlfriend Samantha.
He adds, "After the comments and threats that Mark Ronson made recently, maybe he wants to fight me for charity. I’m definitely willing to step in the ring for three rounds with Mark Ronson."

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JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE has a new home on the east coast, after closing his deal on a multi-million dollar New York condo.
The pop star had reportedly started negotiations on the Tribeca apartment last week (beg10Nov08), initially priced at $5.25 million (£3.5 million).
And according to city records, Timberlake has now signed off on the deal for $4.774 million (£3.2 million).
The SexyBack singer - who lives with girlfriend Jessica Biel in his Los Angeles mansion - has reportedly been on the hunt for a Manhattan pad since September (08).
The three-bedroom, 3,000-square-foot loft features a 52-foot-long living/dining area and 14 floor-to-ceiling windows with sprawling views overlooking the Hudson River.

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PARIS HILTON’s publicist has confirmed the socialite’s split from rocker boyfriend BENJI MADDEN.
The Simple Life star parted ways with Madden at the beginning of the week (17Nov08) after Hilton was snapped partying with ex-boyfriend Stavros Niarchos in Miami, Florida.
News of the break-up first surfaced in America’s Star magazine - and now Hilton’s representative Alanna McCarthy has spoken out about the rumours, simply stating that the pair will "remain very good friends".
However, the couple, who had been dating for nine months, is still planning to ring in 2009 together - after they agreed to host Sydney, Australia’s New Year’s Eve (31Dec08) celebrations.

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GUY RITCHIE is reportedly set to relinquish any rights to MADONNA’s fortune as part of their divorce deal - in a bid to win access to the couple’s children.
The couple announced their separation last month (Oct08) and are currently in the middle of legal proceedings to make the break-up official.
The pop superstar is rumoured to be planning to leave England and return to her native U.S. with their children - eight-year-old son Rocco, adopted tot David Banda, three, and Madonna’s 12-year-old daughter, Lourdes, from a previous relationship.
But Ritchie is said to be keen to see his young family remain in Britain.
Now the estranged pair is said to have reached a compromise in the ongoing custody battle - meaning Ritchie will walk away from the eight-year marriage without a financial settlement, according to London newspaper The Evening Standard.
A source tells the publication, "It will all be over by the end of the month.
I am sure it will be announced by then. The priority for him has always been the children. Ritchie has not wanted any of her money. Ritchie could have taken her to the cleaners. It takes a very honourable man to have walked away. "

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EDDIE IZZARD and MINNIE DRIVER are set to star in a big screen version of their cancelled U.S. TV show THE RICHES.
The drama series, about a family of con artists, won critical acclaim and a raft of awards - before being scrapped after its second season due to flagging ratings.
But comedian Izzard has now revealed he is in talks to make a film version of the show - which will be independently financed.
He says, "We’ve had the meeting and the writers are going to go off and slam out a story. We’re going to raise money like (U.S. President-elect) Barack Obama through the internet, and we’re going to shoot it guerilla-style."

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Actor RICHARD GRIFFITHS is homesick for Britain, just two months into his run in the Broadway production of EQUUS.
The star, famous for his role as Uncle Monty in cult movie Withnail & I, is finding the glamour of New York City no substitute for his native London.
And he has completely lost touch with all the gossip and news back home.
He complains, "I’ve been here since August. I’ve no idea what’s going on. Has the money gone to pieces? I miss home hugely. I can’t wait to go back. I miss nice things. Tea… scones." The only consolation for Griffiths is that the Big Apple’s current cold spell makes it feel almost like England.
He adds: "At least the weather’s the same."

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Dance and theatre critic CLIVE BARNES has lost his battle with liver cancer, aged 81.
Barnes passed away on Wednesday (19Nov08) after experiencing complications relating to the disease, according to his wife Valerie Taylor Barnes.
His critiques reigned in Britain, The New York Times and later the New York Post - where he had worked for the last 31 years as its chief drama and dance critic.
The London-born writer began penning ballet reviews in 1949 for the Oxford University magazine, Isis.
He published his first book, Ballet in Britain Since the War, in 1953 - and would later contribute to other books including Frederick Ashton and His Ballets, Dance Scene U.S.A. and Nureyev.
In 1956, The Daily Express hired him to review dance, theatre, film and television.
Barnes would later move on to write for The Spectator and The Times of London, which hired him as its first full-time dance critic -a post he held for 13 years before he was hired at The New York Times in 1965.
He also wrote the Attitudes column for Dance Magazine from 1989, and contributed to the French magazine Ballet 2000 and British magazine The Stage.
His last review for the New York Post appeared on 31 October (08), when he celebrated new talent at the American Ballet.
In addition to his wife, Barnes is survived by two children, Chris and Maya, from his second marriage to Patricia Winckley, and two grandchildren.

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Young lovers RACHEL BILSON and HAYDEN CHRISTENSEN have taken their relationship to the next level, after reportedly making plans to move in together near the actor’s hometown of Vancouver, Canada.
The couple - who met on the set of early 2008 film Jumper - is reportedly building a home together on the outskirts of Toronto, where Christensen purchased a farmhouse last year (07).
A source tells America’s Star magazine, "Hayden is so in love with Rachel that he’s letting her be a part of the designing process, which should be completed after Christmas. They plan on moving in permanently next March (09), if not sooner." And according to reports, the move has the couple thinking more seriously about marriage in the near future.
The insider adds the pair aren’t "eager to push things, but a ceremony has been discussed".

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