"Hurt Locker" wins 6 Oscars, best film

(Reuters) Iraq war movie "The Hurt Locker," took the Oscars by storm on Sunday winning six of the major film honours, including best movie and director for Kathryn Bigelow who became the first woman to win that honour.

The drama about a squad of bomb defusing specialists and the emotional toll war takes on them also secured writer Mark Boal the Academy Award for best original screenplay, and claimed honours for film editing, sound editing and mixing.

"Hurt Locker" and Bigelow won Oscars over stiff competition from her ex-husband James Cameron, whose sci-fi adventure "Avatar" is the top-grossing movie ever with $2.5 billion at box offices and was seen as a favourite for best movie.

"This really is, there's no other way to describe it, it's the moment of a lifetime," Bigelow said.
"Avatar" earned 3 Oscars, but in technical categories -- visual effects, cinematography and art direction.

Veteran Jeff Bridges claimed best actor playing a drunken country singer in drama "Crazy Heart." The son of Hollywood star Lloyd Bridges, held his trophy high over his head, looking to the heavens and thanking his deceased parents.

"Mom and Dad, yeah," he shouted. "Thank you Mom and Dad for turning me on to such a groovy profession."

Sandra Bullock was named best actress for "The Blind Side" in a first for the actress once dubbed "America's Sweetheart" because she won so many early fans in her romantic comedies.

But for "The Blind Side," she took the part of a real-life, strong-willed mother who helps take a homeless youth off the street and makes him into a football success.

"Did I really earn this, or did I just wear you all down?" she joked on Oscar's stage.

Dark drama "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" earned two Oscars including supporting actress for Mo'Nique and adapted screenplay for writer Geoffrey Fletcher, who became the first African American to claim that honour.

Christoph Waltz won best supporting actor for his turn as a menacing Nazi officer in revenge fantasy "Inglourious Basterds," which follows a band of American Jews killing their enemies behind lines during World War Two.

"Up" was named best animated movie, and Argentina's "The Secret in Their Eyes" won best foreign language film.

(Editing by Mary Milliken and Sandra Maler)

Gisele Gives $1.5 Million to Haiti Relief Efforts

(US Magazine.com) Gisele Bundchen has written a $1.5 million check to the Red Cross to aid the relief effort in Haiti, which was rocked Tuesday by a 7.0 earthquake that is believed to have killed at least 100,000 people.

The model -- who reportedly earned $35 million last year -- was prompted to pitch in after seeing the devastation done by this week’s earthquake, according to The Boston Globe.
Who are Hollywood's most generous celebs?

Other stars who are helping:
Haiti-born Wyclef Jean: He has already raised more than $1 million through his Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund.

Madonna: She has pledged $250,000. In a statement, she said told UsMagazine.com: "My prayers are with the people of Haiti. I can't imagine the terrible pain and suffering they are experiencing. Sadly the depths of the tragedy are just becoming known and the need for our support grows more urgent with every passing moment."

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt: They are donating $1 million to Doctors Without Borders. Pitt's international advocacy group, Not On Our Watch - which he founded with George Clooney, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and producer Jerry Weintraub - also gave $1 million.

Lance Armstrong: His LiveStrong Foundation has pledged $250,000. Money will go to Doctors Without Borders and Partners in Health founded by Harvard professor Paul Farmer.

Alyssa Milano: The goodwill ambassador for UNICEF wrote a $50,000 check to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. She is asking U.S. corporations to match her donation.

Tyler Perry: $250,000
Ben Stiller: He's raising money for a school in Ceverine in Haiti through Save the Children. He also is asking fans for $10 donations charged to phone bills by texting "Haiti" to 90999.
See today's top celeb news photos

George Clooney: As Us reported Thursday, he is hosting a telethon Jan. 22 on MTV to raise funds.

David Blaine: The magician, who once shot a TV special in Haiti in 1999, is working with the Red Cross to raise funds for Haitian earthquake victims by performing his street magic for 72 hours non-stop, starting Friday at 9 a.m. in Times Square.

Jackson's father suspects "foul play" in death

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Michael Jackson's father said on Friday he suspected "foul play" in the death of his pop star son, as lawyers disclosed talks aimed at settling guardianship of the singer's two children with his ex-wife.

The previously unknown talks caused a Los Angeles court to delay by one week a key hearing over custody of the kids, who are now being cared for by Jackson's 79-year-old mother.

Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, told ABC News in a TV interview Friday that he was dumbfounded when he learned his son collapsed at home and was being rushed to the hospital.

"I just couldn't believe what was happening to Michael. I do believe it was foul play. I do believe that," he said, without elaborating.

The "Thriller" singer died suddenly over two weeks ago after suffering cardiac arrest at his rented Los Angeles mansion. He was 50. Since then, numerous media reports have surfaced about powerful prescription drugs found by police at Jackson's home after his June 25 death.

"I didn't know anything about the drugs," Joe Jackson said. "I didn't even know the name of them. But I do know that whatever he'd taken was to try to make him rest because he had been working so hard, and that drug was supposed to try and make him relax.

"But anyway he didn't wake up. He never woke up. Michael died in his sleep."

Toxicology reports are pending on the official cause of Jackson's death, but numerous media reports have said that the dangerous sedative Diprivan -- normally used in hospitals by anesthesiologists -- was found at the singer's home.

A ROW WITH ROWE?

Jackson family attorney and spokesman L. Londell McMillan, said his legal team is now in talks with attorneys for Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, about the key question of who will care for his children.

A judge gave Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, temporary guardianship days after the singer's death, and a hearing to continue her role had been set for July 13.

"We are pleased that the child custody hearing has been continued over until July 20 to allow us to continue to make progress in our dignified and amicable discussions for the best interest of the children," McMillan told Reuters.

He declined to detail the discussions or say if Rowe, was seeking custody of the two children she bore Jackson while they were married in the late 1990s: Prince Michael Jr, 12, and Paris, 11. Jackson had a third child, Prince Michael II, 7, using a surrogate mother whose name has never been disclosed.

Last week, Rowe told a Los Angeles television station, "I want my children," but later that same day her attorney told reporters in a telephone conference call that although the quote was correct, its intention was distorted.

At the time, attorney Eric George said Rowe had not made a decision about whether she would seek custody of the two kids, and since then Rowe has not addressed the matter in public.

In a 2002 will, Jackson nominated his mother to be the guardian, but legal experts say Rowe can challenge the guardianship and possibly win custody of her two children.

"California law, like many states' laws, strongly favors children remaining in a family that was intact when they were born, even if it no longer is at this point," said Scott Altman, an expert in family law who teaches at the University of Southern California.

Paris Hilton denies stripping allegations

Socialite Paris Hilton has denied allegations that she once danced naked in front of wealthy businessmen during a party in Las Vegas. Reportedly sexy Hilton has joined the group of strippers and shed her cloths in front of party goers in Sin City.

Elizabeth Jawhary claimed on a website HollywoodInterrupted.com that the socialite once "flew down to Vegas.

However, a representative of Paris Hilton slammed such reports and termed it as a baseless allegations.

"(The reports are) totally untrue and a complete fabrication," the New York Daily News quoted the representative as saying.

Vin Diesel slams rumours of being gay

Acclaimed Hollywood actor Vin Diesel slammed rumours that he is gay and kept his personal life secret.

"I'm not gonna put it out there on a magazine cover like some other actors," said the XXX actor.

Vin Diesel also asserted that he prefers to date in Europe where he's not as easily recognized.

Slumdog Millionaire bags the Golden Globe Award for the best picture drama.

Complete list of 66th Golden Globe Awards, are presented annually by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) to recognize outstanding achievements in the entertainment.

-Picture, Drama: "Slumdog Millionaire."
_Picture, Musical or Comedy: "Vicky Christina Barcelona."
_Actor, Drama: Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler."
_Actress, Drama: Kate Winslet, "Revolutionary Road."
_Director: Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire."
_Actor, Musical or Comedy: Colin Farrell, "In Bruges."
_Actress, Musical or Comedy: Sally Hawkins, "Happy-Go-Lucky."
_Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight."
_Supporting Actress: Kate Winslet, "The Reader."
_Foreign Language Film: "Waltz With Bashir."
_Animated Film: "Wall-E."
_Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire."
_Original Score: A.R. Rahman, "Slumdog Millionaire."
_Original Song: "The Wrestler" (performed by Bruce Springsteen, written by Bruce Springsteen), "The Wrestler."
TELEVISION:
_Series, Drama: "Mad Men."
_Actor, Drama: Gabriel Byrne, "In Treatment."
_Actress, Drama: Anna Paquin, "True Blood."
_Series, Musical or Comedy: "30 Rock."
_Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock."
_Actress, Musical or Comedy: Tina Fey, "30 Rock."
_Miniseries or Movie: "John Adams."
_Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Laura Linney, "John Adams."
_Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Paul Giammatti, "John Adams."
_Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Laura Dern, "Recount."
_Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Tom Wilkinson, "John Adams."
Cecil B. DeMille Award: Steven Spielberg.

Jackie Chan and Jet Li starrer "The Forbidden Kingdom" tops China's box office

The Forbidden Kingdom, the first movie of the awesome Chinese duo, Jackie Chan and Jet Li, is susseccfully running across China. Directed by Rob Minkoff, the film is all about an American teenager Jason (Michael Angarano), who's magically transported to ancient China, where he teams up with a drunken kungfu master, Lu Yan (Jackie Chan); a mysterious and skillful Silent Monk (Jet Li) to help free a mythical monkey king.

Earliar, film pandits were of the view that this piece would hardly appeal to the Chinese since its script is geared towards American audiences.

Against all predictions, this Hollywood-Chinese co-production made $21.4 million since April 24, the day of its release, informs Tang Jingting, a spokeswoman for Chinese movie company Huayi Brothers, one of the film's investors in a telephonic interview.

A movie that makes more than $14 million in China is considered a hit and $29 million a major hit.

Earlier, this Kung Fu film has also performed well in US, earning $45.7 million since its release on April 18, according to Box Office Mojo, the box office tracking site. (Agencies)

Britney Spears granted greater access to her sons

Pop diva Britney Spears must be feeling relaxed after a Los Angeles judge has granted more access to her sons, said, Mark Vincent Kaplan - the lawyer for her ex-husband Kevin Federline.

Till now, Federline has had the full custodian right over the children since January,2008, when Spears entered a psychiatric hospital.

The pop star's personal life spiraled out of control after her break-up from Federline in 2006. (agencies)

Celebrity couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie donate $8 million for charity

One of the hottest couples Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie has donated a massive over $8 million (£4 million) to charity in 2006. Federal tax filings for the Jolie Pitt Foundation, the couple's charity organisation, have been reported by the Huffington Post.