PR-Inside.com Entertainment News

The Oscars race is off with a historical night at the Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York on Monday (28Nov11) - for the first time in the event’s 21-year history two films have tied for Best Feature.
Terrence Malick’s Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner Tree of Life shared the 2011 Gotham award with Mike Mills’ acclaimed Beginners.
Malick’s film follows the fortunes of two young boys brought up by a strict, brutal and demanding father, played by Brad Pitt, while Beginners stars Ewan McGregor as a man trying to come to terms with the fact his gay father, played by Christopher Plummer, has terminal cancer.
Beginners also picked up the Best Ensemble award at the New York prizegiving, held at Cipriani Wall Street.
The other winners were Felicity Jones, who won Breakthrough Actor for Like Crazy, Dee Rees (Breakthrough Director for Pariah), Better This World (Best Documentary) and Scenes of a Crime (Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You).
George Clooney’s Oscars favourite The Descendants and writer/director Sean Durkin’s acclaimed Martha Marcy May Marlene were surprise non-winners - both films missed out on the three trophies they were nominated for, which included Breakthrough Actor and Best Ensemble.
The Descendants was also up for Best Feature, while Durkin lost out to Rees in the Breakthrough Director category.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

British moviemaker KEN RUSSELL has died at the age of 84.
Russell directed several classic British films during his 55-year career, including spy thriller Billion Dollar Brain, The Who’s rock opera Tommy, and Oscar-winning 1969 movie Women in Love.
He also notched up a range of acting and writing credits, and was working in front of the cameras as recently as 2010, when he played a university lecturer in crime drama Mr. Nice. He even has a role in upcoming horror movie Invasion of the Not Quite Dead.
Fellow British filmmaker Michael Winner paid tribute to Russell after news of his death was announced on Monday (28Nov11), telling the Daily Mirror, "I’ve known Ken since 1968. He was the most innovative director. I persuaded Oliver Reed to work with him even though Oliver said, ‘I’m not a TV star, I’m a movie star.’ "His television was in a field of its own, it was absolutely extraordinary. Then he graduated to movies… He was also a very nice person. He was very cheerful and very well-meaning. He had a very good run even though his style of picture-making became obsolete, but that happened to everyone, Billy Wilder and (Alfred) Hitchcock." Russell, who Winner insists had been "terribly ill for some time", passed away in a hospital on Sunday (27Nov11). No further details were available as WENN went to press.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

GEORGE MICHAEL’s alleged new beau has spoken out to assure fans the ailing singer is "getting stronger" as he battles pneumonia, following false reports his condition is deteriorating.
The Faith hitmaker, 48, was hospitalised in Vienna, Austria on Wednesday (23Nov11) and diagnosed with the potentially deadly lung infection.
He scrapped a number of shows on his Symphonica tour so he could combat the illness, but decided to pull out of the entire trek on Friday (25Nov11).
The move came amid reports Michael was struggling to recover, but Fadi Fawaz - who is reportedly dating the gay star - tells Britain’s Sunday Mirror that the rumours are false.
He tells the publication, "George is doing well and is in good spirits. I have been seeing him each day and he is getting stronger all the time. George is trying to stay upbeat. He is smiling through it all and everyone is just willing him to get better.
"A lot of what has been reported isn’t true. I’ve been with him every day and his condition is getting better. His family and friends are very happy with his care. He is in the best place, getting the treatment he needs."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Recently-retired rockers R.E.M. fought to ensure their split remained a secret before their big announcement in September (11), because they didn’t want the news leaking on the internet.
The rockers shocked the music world in September (11) by declaring they were to disband after more than three decades together.
And frontman Michael Stipe admits that they wanted to tell fans of their decision themselves, rather than it breaking online - and he insists the band stepped out of the spotlight in the right way.
He tells Britain’s The Jo Whiley Music Show, "We were very careful how we made the announcement, and very careful to keep it a secret, and we managed, in this day and time, for it not to be leaked out, which is incredible. We wanted our fans to find out directly from us, and not by some weird tweet.
"We knew if was coming for so long, that we carefully worded the announcement." And the star is adamant a final tour would have been too upsetting for the band and for its followers, adding, "We didn’t want to do a farewell tour, it would have felt really maudlin, and (bassist) Mike Mills’ worst scenario. I couldn’t have imagined coming to London and playing the last show Man on the Moon for the last time, and everyone in the room knowing that."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

DEMI LOVATO overcame a bout of sickness to perform for fans in her hometown of Dallas, Texas on Saturday night (26Nov11).
The singer/actress is touring the U.S. with her A Special Night With Demi Lovato trek, and was heading to the Grand Prairie area of Dallas on Saturday to play for fans when she woke up feeling ill.
But Lovato was determined to fight the mystery ailment to ensure she gave her fans the show they expected.
She took to her Twitter.com page to write,"Woke up so sick this morning but I WILL NOT let it stop me from putting on a killer show in my hometown tonight!!! Come on Dallas TX!!!!" Lovato made it through the show, but later uploaded a picture on her Twitter page showing her and two friends recovering from their sickness on the sofa, writing, "The 3 Little sick piggies."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

LADY GAGA thrilled students at a school in Toronto, Canada after appearing in a video to rally support for their anti-bullying campaign during a special assembly.
The pop superstar has become an outspoken campaigner in the fight against bullying in the U.S. after the tragic suicides of several gay students who had been taunted by classmates over their sexuality.
And, after receiving an email from officials at the student council at the Etobicoke School of the Arts about their upcoming anti-bullying assembly, the star was more than happy to lend her backing to their cause.
The video was shown to students at the assembly on Friday (25Nov11), prompting the pupils to clap and cheer at the sight of the Paparazzi hitmaker.
Student council president Jacques St. Pierre reveals he kept the celebrity appearance a secret until the very last minute.
He says, "Sometimes schools talk about bullying but never make changes. I thought if I could get someone as influential as Lady Gaga to speak to students, that would make a change."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

THE STREETS invited fans onstage for a farewell drink on Saturday night (26Nov11) after performing the band’s final gig in Skegness, England.
Rapper Mike Skinner and his act shot to fame in the U.K. in 2002 with the release of his debut album Original Pirate Material. He decided to call time on The Streets following the release of the album Computers and Blues earlier this year (11).
He stepped on stage as The Streets for the last time in front of 7,500 people at The Big Reunion event in Skegness on Saturday and to celebrate the band’s emotional farewell, as well as his 32nd birthday on Sunday (27Nov11), Skinner invited revellers to join him on the platform for an impromptu party.
Skinner is now working on a new project with British rocker Robert Harvey under the name D.O.T.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Former British pop star MATT WILLIS and his TV presenter wife have become parents to a son.
Emma Willis gave birth to a baby boy named Ace on Friday (25Nov11).
The newborn is the couple’s second child - Ace is little brother to two-year-old Isabelle.
The ex-Busted rocker took to Twitter.com to confirm the news, writing, "I have a son and his name is Ace! Went for Billy (as his middle name) so if he want (sic) to be like a f**king banker or something he can use that instead!" The couple wed in 2008.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

VIN DIESEL is returning to work on his latest film in THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK franchise after the production shut down last month (Oct11) due to financial issues.
Shooting on the forthcoming movie in the sci-fi series, which last hit the big screen in 2004, ground to a halt in Montreal, Canada over cashflow problems.
However, the issues - reported to be non-payment for studio space - have now been resolved and filming is set to re-start on 28 December (11), according to TMZ.com.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

British entertainer MICHAEL BARRYMORE has been charged with drug possession after he was involved in a car accident in the early hours of Tuesday (22Nov11).
The former beloved star, who enjoyed huge success hosting primetime TV shows in the U.K. in the 1990s, was arrested with another man after their car hit the curb in Acton, West London last week (begs21Nov11).
According to the BBC, police officers on routine patrol discovered the vehicle and charged Barrymore with possession of cocaine as well as being drunk and disorderly.
The two men were bailed and will appear at London’s Ealing Magistrates Court on 7 December (11).

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Actress STOCKARD CHANNING bounced back from knee surgery to return to her role on Broadway on Friday (25Nov11) - just days after having the operation.
The Grease star was forced to temporarily step down from the cast of hit play Other Desert Cities last week (21Nov11) to have arthroscopic knee surgery. She was replaced by her understudy.
Channing vowed to be back on stage by the end of the month (Nov11) and wowed the audience at Friday’s production by returning to the spotlight to perform.
Speaking before the show, she said, "This is may be stupid. I don’t know. But if it (her knee) doesn’t blow up or get painful, I’m doing the right thing."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

RYAN GOSLING has surprised his rumoured new girlfriend EVA MENDES by flying to Paris, France to take her on a romantic date.
The Hollywood stars became romantically linked in September (11), following Mendes’ split from her longtime boyfriend, producer George Gargurevich, over the summer (11).
They have been photographed together on numerous occasions ever since, although the actors have yet to publicly confirm the relationship.
But Gosling and Mendes refused to hide their reported romance on Saturday (26Nov11) when they were snapped linking arms and kissing as they strolled through Paris’ Pere Lachaise Cemetery.
According to Us Weekly, The Notebook star’s visit to Paris was a surprise to Mendes, who is currently filming her new movie Holly Motors in France.
A source tells the publication, "They were talking all the time so she had no hints that he was coming. She was really homesick and missed him, even though she practically just left (America) to shoot."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

BATMAN BEGINS star CHRISTIAN BALE is hanging up his cape for good - his upcoming superhero movie will be his last.
The actor took on the role for the first time in 2005’s Batman Begins, before returning to the part for the acclaimed The Dark Knight in 2008, which pulled in over $1 billion at the global box office.
Bale has donned the Caped Crusader’s cowl for a third time in director Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated The Dark Knight Rises, which will see him fight both Bane and Catwoman, played by Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway, respectively.
But the American Psycho star insists the next installment will be the last time fans see him play Bruce Wayne and his alter-ego.
He tells the Philippine Daily Inquirer, "I wrapped (filming) a few days ago so that will be the last time I’m taking that cowl off.
"I believe the whole production wrapped yesterday, so it’s all done. Everything’s finished. It’s me and Chris - that will be the end of that Batman era."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Former soccer player GARY SPEED has been found dead at his home in Chester, England in an apparent suicide.
The Welsh sports star’s body was discovered on Sunday morning (27Nov11). He was 42.
A spokesman for Chesire Police says, "At 7.08am on Sunday 27 November, 2011, Cheshire police was informed of a sudden death at an address in Huntington, Chester.
"Officers went to the scene where a 42-year-old man was found dead. The next of kin have been informed and have confirmed the identity of the man as Gary Speed.
"There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death the family have requested that they are left in peace to grieve at this difficult time. A family tribute will be released at a later date but not today." Speed played as a midfielder for British soccer clubs Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton before becoming a manager in 2010. He went on to become the head coach for the Welsh national soccer team earlier this year (11).
He was married with two children.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

British singer LILY ALLEN has given birth to a baby girl.
According to a Twitter.com post by her ex-boyfriend, DJ Seb Chew, Allen gave birth on Friday (25Nov11).
He tweeted, "sending out love to lily, sam and mini cooper…… YES." Allen has yet to confirm the news herself, but a simple post on her Twitter page on Friday reads, "Totes (totally) Amaze (amazing)".
Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper reports the newborn is a little girl, although further details were unavailable as WENN went to press.
The Smile hitmaker, 26, married Sam Cooper in June (11) and the couple announced the baby news at the wedding reception.
The singer’s pregnancy joy comes three years after she suffered a miscarriage while dating Chemical Brothers star Ed Simons. And a year ago (Nov10), she was six months into her pregnancy with Cooper’s son when she lost the baby.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

BRUCE WILLIS has put his Idaho estate on the market for $15 million (£9.4 million).
The Idaho Mountain Express newspaper reports Willis has also dropped the asking price of his Mint bar and nightclub in Hailey in an effort to land a quick sale.
The Die Hard star and his former wife Demi Moore bought the Hailey property in the mid-1990s.
He still owns a nearby ski area, called Soldier Mountain.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

JUSTIN BIEBER served up a Thanksgiving treat for fans in New York on Wednesday (23Nov11) by performing with his mentor, R&B superstar USHER, in the heart of Manhattan.
The teenage pop sensation brought traffic to a standstill around Rockefeller Plaza as police closed off roads due to the huge crowds of fans who had braved the rain in a bid to get as close as possible to the Baby hitmaker.
And Bieber did not disappoint - he opened the special TV performance for U.S. breakfast show Today with Never Say Never and brought a little festive cheer to the city as he introduced his mentor Usher to the stage for a rendition of their festive duet The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire).
He also performed Mistletoe and other tracks from his hit holiday album Under The Mistletoe.
The star’s outdoor concert drew the biggest crowds in the Today show’s history - an estimated 9,000 people turned out for the gig, with many camping out in the cold for up to two days before the event.
Expressing his gratitude for his fans’ devotion, he said, "These girls have dedication that I’ve never seen before, more than anybody, so they really inspire me…
"It’s powerful to think that someone and so many people can love you so much, I just feel so loved." Taking to Twitter.com after the gig, Bieber wrote, "so blessed! thank you to all the fans who camped out for days for the @TODAYSHOW this morning!! Had to bring out big bro @UsherRaymondIV!!"

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Rocker MYLES KENNEDY felt compelled to lose himself in a drug haze in a bid to boost his songwriting skills.
The Alter Bridge frontman and Slash collaborator steered clear of narcotics until his twenties when he started to dabble with drugs as part of his life in the band.
The star insists he went "off the deep end" for several years as his addiction got out of control, but admits he felt he needed to get high to come up with new songs.
He tells Kerrang!, "Part of the reason I got into drugs was that I felt my well was dry as a writer. As silly as it sounds, they helped me creatively and gave me something to write about. The problem was, once I dipped my toe in, I discovered that they were fun. It was a weird, dark and strange period.
"That’s a long way behind me now. But now that I’m working on the Slash record, a lot of the lyrics are about those days. It’s still quite fresh in my mind, but I wouldn’t let myself get into a situation where there’s temptation. I have a wife who would never put up with me going there."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)