Will Australia be Hugh Jackman's ticket to Oscar?

Hugh Jackman is now one of the most sought after stars in Hollywood. From a humble beginning, he rose to top. In his latest movie, Australia, Hugh Jackman played the role of a drover who is a social outcast with a heart of gold. Released on November 26, 2008, the movie is getting positive reviews every where. Few days before the release, Hugh was announced to be the “Sexiest Man Alive” by People Magazine. After the news came out, Hugh Jackman’s inbox got filled with mails from friends teasing him. One of the messages goes like this:

"This is worse than the Florida 2000 recount. This is rigged. Give it back!" It's hard to get a big head after that.

Still Hugh Jackman is the same old guy. Beneath that 6 foot 2 inches structure and cheesled muscular body resides a very sensitive heart. His family is the most important thing to him. While he was dating his wife, actress Deborra-Lee Furness, they made a promise to each other that they would never stay away from one another for more than two weeks and till today, they kept their promise. Now the million dollar question is: Will Hugh Jackman go for Oscar this time?

Related article:

Los Angeles Times

Brooke Burke and Tom Bergeon are winners of “Dancing With the Stars” Season 7

American television personality and model Brooke Burke won the seventh season of “Dancing with the Stars.” The grand finale of season seven took place on November 25, 2008. Brooke Burke and her partner Tom Bergeon raised their hands in triumph and hugged one another after co-host Tom Bergeron announced their names. Asked about her reaction Brooke replied “Unbelievable.” The season finale, which was a two hour show, Brooke and Derek danced Samba, Freestyle, and Viennese Waltz. In Samba and Freestyle, Brooke and Derek scored 58 out of 60. They received another perfect 10 in the Viennese Waltz which made their total score 88 out of 90. The overwhelming viewer votes did the rest. People Magazine reports:

With her win, Burke joins an elite group of female stars–season one’s Kelly Monaco and season six’s Kristi Yamaguchi–who have hoisted the mirror-ball trophy and helped narrow the gap between the number of men to women Dancing winners to 4:3.

NFL star Warren Sapp and his partner Kym Johnson took the second place. Although Warren Sapp had been audience favorite althrough the season, his poor foot work failed to impress the judges. Sapp and Johnson scored 80. Lance Bass, former member of popular boy band ‘NSync and Lacey Schwimmer obtained third place scoring 81.

Related articles:

Reuters

People Magazine

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt got married in Mexico

Famous reality TV show stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt eloped in Mexico for vacation and got married at Palmilla Resort near Cabo San Lucas on November 20, 2008. Heidi Montag, 22 and Spencer Pratt, 25, got married at the spur-of-the-moment. On November 24, 2008, the couple was spending time on the beach when Spencer Pratt brought the idea of having a hassle-free marriage ceremony and Heidi Montag agreed. They got married at the local church and bought rings made of leather from the store of the hotel. Spencer Pratt was a bit embarrassed about his ring as it had a flower. Heidi Montag wore a silk Balenciaga sundress and white Christian Louboutins. Pratt appeared on the altar wearing a John Varvatos shirt and Ever Jeans. The wedding cost $4150. In an interview with US Weekly, Heidi Montag said that the minute they said their vows she could not stop crying.Inside Track reports:

During the ceremony, Pratt vowed to his bride: “Heidi, from the moment you came into my life, I knew my life would never be the same without you. You are the light in my life like the sun to the Earth,” according to Perez. “Your loving warmth makes me want to be a better person. Being with you, I feel complete. I’m honored to even be able to call you my wife.”

Before breaking the news to Heidi’s mother, the couple told it to US Weekly magazine. Heidi’s mother was not very happy with the news. However, Pratt’s sister, Stephanie and Audrina Patridge, Heidi Montag’s BFF were very much happy after hearing the news.

Related articles:

Inside Track

USA Today

MTV.com

Twilight takes the lead at the North American box office

“Twilight” the vampire love story has taken the lead at the North American box office grossing $70.5 million in its opening week. Based on Stephenie Meyer’s romantic novel, Twilight was released in 1000 theatres across USA and all of them are selling advance tickets. Earlier, analysts predicted that the film’s business would be lucky enough to reach $60 million because its appeal to a limited audience especially young adults.

Despite the gloom economy the movie created lots of frenzy among people. The movie was produced at $37 million. Summit Entertainment, the North American distributor of the movie and one of co-producers is now basking under the success of the movie. Richard Fay, President, Domestic distribution, Summit Entertainment, said:

"This certainly exceeded our expectations by a great deal," said Richard Fay, president of domestic distribution for Summit Entertainment. "The fan base was huge."

A new company, Summit has been struggling all this time establish itself in Hollywood. Now, with the success of Twilight the production and distribution company is going to make a sequel of the movie titled New Moon.

Related articles:

New York Times

Los Angeles Times

“I was never frightened of any one” Shane Warne on Sachin Tendulkar

In his recently published book titled 'Shane Warne's Century,' famous Australian leg spinner, Shane Warne, named Sachin Tendulkar as the top batsman. He also corrected his year old claim about having nightmares after being badly beaten by Sachin Tendulkar. The India-Australia three day test match, which took place in February 1998, was one of the memorable matches of Shane Warne. In that match, India won by ten wickets. Sachin Tendulkar made 204 runs and made an example out of the Australian bowlers. Seeing his performance in the field that day, Shane Warne made the famous comment that he had seen Sachin Tendulkar in his nightmares. Now, after ten years, in his book, Shane Warne said that he was not actually afraid of Sachin Tendulkar and his remarks should not be taken seriously. In an interview with Australian News paper, Sunday Observer he said:

….but I was never frightened of anyone. And that's not me being big-headed, I was just confident of my ability.

"Players like (Brian) Lara and Tendulkar were always a challenge, because they were the best in the business and if you want to compete at that level you've got to step up to the mark. Of course some days they're going to smash you out of the park and you congratulate them afterwards, but you're going to get them next time," he told 'Sunday Observer'.

Observer Sports Monthly, named Shane Warne as the Sportsman of 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award. When asked about the reason behind Warne’s putting Tendulkar on top of Brian Lara, he said that that the former was more entertaining. He did not look at their statistics because they could be misleading. ven a match winner can end up having a modest average overall.

Related article:

NDTV

Can Guns N' Roses make it with "Chinese Democracy"?

Gun’s N’ Roses, the famous hard rock band of the 90s is back with its album, “Chinese Democracy.” After thirteen years, the band is going to release its unfinished album which many did not expect to see. For thirteen years, fans and music lovers have been hearing about this album but it was not completed due to various complications. Now, on November 23, 2008, the album is going to be released. Many are referring this album as the second coming of Guns N’ Roses. Reuters reports:

"It's just a remarkable moment in popular culture," said Blender magazine editor-in-chief Joe Levy, without a trace of hyperbole. "It really is. We never thought we would get here."

Others are hedging their bets. Reclusive singer Axl Rose, 46, is the only original member left. His volatile behavior drove out key members such as top-hatted guitarist Slash years ago. Some purists say he should not have used the Guns N' Roses name with this new project.

“Chinese Democracy” is the sixth studio album of Guns N’ Roses. The work of the album started in 1995. It was supposed to be their follow up album of “Use Your Illusion.” But the band fell apart; except Axl Rose, all the original members left the band. Geffen Records which was supposed to release the album spent around $13 million by 2005.

Finally, hard rock fans will be able to listen to their favorite band once again but the million dollar question is: Can Guns N’ Roses make it this time? Guns N’ Roses is one of my most favorite bands and the two people that comes to my mind when I think of this band are bass guitarist, Slash with his long hair and top hat and Axl Rose. I can not think about Guns N’ Roses without Slash. The tragedy is all the original band members are gone. For this reason, many purists and hardcore Guns N’ Roses lovers objected that Axl Rose should have renamed the band. Anyway, let’s wait and see what happens.

Related articles:

Reuters

AP

Hugh Jackman is People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive"

Forty year old Australian actor, Hugh Jackman, has been chosen as People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” for 2008. Every year People Magazine gives this title to a talented person in the entertainment industry. The news comes to Hugh Jackman at a good time because on November 26, 2008, his epic movie, “Australia,” is going to released. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, on November 17, 2008, the movie has been world premiered in Sydney and Australian newspapers gave out positive reviews. Hugh Jackman is followed by Matt Damon, who was chosen by the People magazine last year. Spokes Man Review.com says:

A triple-threat talent, Jackman – who acts, sings and dances – debuted as a teen in a high school production of "My Fair Lady," a role that he duplicated to rave reviews in 1998 on the London stage.

Nicole Kidman, Jackman's "Australia" costar, says the 6-foot-2 actor was so hot on the set of their flick, which opens Wednesday, that he "left people stammering, 'Oh ... my ... God.' ... Women's jaws drop when Hugh walks into a room."

Hugh Jackman’s wife of twelve years, Deborra-Lee Furness, calls him “The body of Doom” and she is not surprised about People Magazine choosing Hugh. However, Hugh Jackman is not excited about all these. A polite man, Hugh Jackman said that his wife and his two children Oscar Maximillian, 8, and Ava Eliot, 3 are his priorities. He said that they were the best things ever happened to him.

Related article:

Spokes Man Review.com