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Just Ridiculous: Clark Gable Stabbed, George Clooney Propositioned, Chris Brown Not Cocky

Emma Renda — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:26:24 +0000

The line between relevant celebrity gossip and absolute nonsense is a fine one, almost indistinguishable at times. But as ridiculous as the following stories may seem, they are actually more entertaining than any Hills’ off-screen drama or Britney snafu.

First of all, TMZ had the rare - almost supernatural - occasion of reporting the headline “Clark Gable stabbed in the chest.” Seriously. But before your time-space continuum spins into a frenzy, let’s clear this up. It was actually the grandson of the original Clark Gable, Hollywood’s revered leading man.

Gable III was stabbed in the rib cage at a house party in Los Angeles, where he was involved in a verbal dispute and then rushed to hospital following the incident. He spent a week in hospital but is reported to be recovering. One person has been arrested and police are still searching for more suspects. I’m sure Gable III will cast this as an epic tale, but it hardly holds a candle to Gone With the Wind. Shame.

Next, and I actually laughed out loud at this, George Clooney was propositioned at a press conference for the Venice Film Festival in Italy. A man in journalsim cognito stood up to ask Clooney a question but the moment he got on the mic, he stripped off his clothes – except for a tie – and professed his undying love for Clooney, including shouting “Please, take me George!” Clooney chuckled the whole thing off. No word has been released as to whether or not they will see each other again.

Last, but perhaps most ridiculous of all, Chris Brown has announced “Transformer” featuring Lil Wayne will be the upcoming single for his new album, Grafitti. Rather than hanging his head, Brown has been all over the news lately, particularly after the show he put on for Larry King last week where he claimed he didn’t remember the incident with Rihanna. But here he is, Twittering away.

“Graffiti!!!! Comin soon…. Just finished it…hands down … My best album… That’s all I’mma give away right now… I honestly don’t think the game is ready for the recordz I got coming off the new album…. (not tryna be cocky)!!!! LOL,” he wrote via Twitter.

There is no set release date, but I assume he’ll wait for his recent sentencing to blow over to better his chances of anyone actually purchasing his album.

Joelle’s Top Five: Celebrity Activists

Joelle Tomlinson — Sat, 30 May 2009 04:28:57 +0000

5. George Clooney

This actor, was dubbed the sexiest man alive, is slowly shedding that reputation in place for one as one of Hollywood´s leading activists. Clooney is known for his passionate beliefs about ending the violence in Darfur and has said he will build support for the work the UN carry out,”critically important work in some of the most difficult, dangerous and dire places in the world”.

4. Sir Bob Gedolf

Best known for organising the 2005 Live 8 and 1985 Live Aids benefit concerts, this scruffy singer/journalist is tremendously well-informed on a broad range of global and national issues. Currently, he is heavily involved in the Make Poverty History Campaign, a campaign against third world poverty. Bob was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 2005 European Hero’s and made the front cover of their European Edition in 2005. With such an impressive portfolio, it´s a wonder this philanthropist has any time for making music.

3. Angelina Jolie

If Princess Diana created the template for a new breed of celebrity activism, it’s actress Angelina Jolie who is the current exemplar of the model. Like Diana, Jolie is a beautiful, privileged, formerly silly and wild girl with a messy romantic history who remade herself into a doting mom and world-class do-gooder. Also like Diana, she has devoted herself to her causes with a new convert’s rigour. As a goodwill ambassador for the UN high commissioner for refugees, she has put her safety and health at risk to visit some of the planet’s most troubled and forgotten places, donating millions of her own dollars and spending her spare time boning up on international law.

2. Oprah Winfrey

Would this list be worth its salt if Oprah Winfrey wasn´t present? Founded in 1998, Oprah´s Angel Network, makes “grants to organizations… in underserved communities that provide educational initiatives” and “assist people in fulfilling basic human needs and regaining dignity.” OAN has raised over $50 million which is all given out, since Oprah pays for all administrative costs. Oprah personally donated $10 million to rebuild homes after Hurricane Katrina. Inspired by her 2004 South Africa trip when she distributed Christmas gifts to 50,000 children, and encouraged by Nelson Mandela, Oprah established a Leadership Academy for Girls ”to nurture, educate and turn gifted South African girls from impoverished backgrounds into the country’s future leaders.” The academy’s doors opened in January 2007 with 152 students. You go girl!

1. Bono

Bono has been instrumental in raising awareness of global poverty and the AIDS epidemic with his ONE campaign, which has gotten stars such as George Clooney (there he is again!), Matt Damon and Brad Pitt on board. His charity work earned him a spot as one of Time’s 2005 people of the year. According to World Vision Canada, an accurate description of Bono would be ¨a tireless crusader for issues affecting Africa. He is the type who prefers taking an activist role by making his views known to politicians, policymakers, and others who are in positions of influence.¨ This outspoken rock star has made a massive impact with his activist work, and demonstrated that helping others is the best way to celebrate your success.

Rant ‘N Rave: Male Actors over 40

Irene Ogrodnik — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:33:02 +0000

There’s something about certain male actors over the age of 40 (but have yet to hit the 50 mark) that makes ladies and men of all ages goo-goo-gaa-gaa for them.

You know who these men are. They are the actors that straight men will shamelessly admit that even they would fantasize about these stars.

These men are charming, attractive and, most importantly, talented.

So whether you are fifteen years their junior or ten years their senior, here are five (although there are many more) contemporary actors who still capture our hearts and make us blush like little schoolgirls.

5) Brad Pitt:

As you may know, I am not Pitt’s biggest fan when it comes to his personal life. But I will admire the man for his movies. From his diverse on-screen characters such as the irresistible Tristan in ‘Legends of the Fall’ to the gluttonous Rusty in the Ocean’s movie franchise, Pitt is more than just a pretty face.

But while many consider Pitt as overrated in the looks department, the same cannot be said about his acting chops. As you may have noticed, Pitt is given the same amount of appreciation for his performances in films as negative credit for his part in the entire Aniston-Jolie “feud.”

In other words, in either position, his role is underrated.

4) Patrick Dempsey:

Also known as McDreamy—a name that pretty much summarizes this actor. From his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ to his performance as the sweetheart/good-guy in both ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ and ‘Enchanted,’ this 43-year-old actor appears to resemble his wholesome figure in real life. Even though Dempsey is married (for almost ten years) with three children, he makes single women wish he unattached and married women wish he was their husband.

While it’s likely that Dempsey is not as sweet in real life as he seems on-screen, the fact that the actor was not afraid to reveal his Dyslexia a few years ago makes him more alluring. Or perhaps Dempsey just played smart and knew he would win over more women for his brutal openness.

Heck, either way, I love him more for his honesty.

3) George Clooney:

It would be impossible to write this blog without mentioning Clooney. While his more recent roles are somewhat imitations of one another (quirky, oddball yet charming), he’s still too irresistible to avoid.

When he isn’t nominated or winning an award for movies like ‘Syriana’, ‘Good Night and Good Luck’ and ‘Michael Clayton,’ he’s involved in charity—most notably trying to help the people of Darfur. He’s an artist and a philanthropist.

Just perfect.

2) Johnny Depp:

Known for his choice of roles that border eccentric and downright freaky (Jack Sparrow, Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd), Depp surely knows how to capture movie audiences and critics. Even with poor movie choices like ‘Secret Window,’ Depp still managed to receive praise for his role. He’s captivating and mysterious—the atypical Hollywood actor. It’s easy to admit that, without Depp, the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movie saga would neither be as successful or as entertaining.

1) Robert Downey Jr.:

After battling a lengthy addiction to drugs, some might say that it’s amazing that Robert Downey Jr. is as successful as he is today.

Even when he was critically acclaimed for his roles in ‘Less Than Zero’ and ‘Chaplin’ (in which he received an Academy Award nom for his performance) Downey Jr. still never starred in any true “Blockbuster hit”—until 2008. Both ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Tropic Thunder’ put Downey Jr. back on the acting radar.

While his peers admire him and critics rave about him, fans adore Downey Jr. for his rawness and vulnerability. Even as a brilliant actor, back in the day, he was damaged due to his drug use (a quality that now somehow makes celebrities even more famous. Kate Moss anyone?).

In the past couple of years, those who refused to hire Downey Jr. due to his troubled past (which included arrests and rehab stints) are now likely kicking themselves where the sun don’t shine.

Kick away my friends.

In his most recent role in the film ‘The Soloist,’ Downey Jr. shows why he’s here to stay. Undoubtedly, Downey Jr. is the movie’s heart and soul—proving that, damaged or not, he still has what it takes to shine.

George Clooney Rounds Up ‘Men Who Stare At Goats’

Eva Lam — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:09:03 +0000

George Clooney has been in more than a few all-star casts, and his latest project is no exception.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges are all in negotiations to star opposite the “Burn After Reading” and “Ocean’s” trilogy actor in the Iraq-set movie “The Men Who Stare at Goats.”

The film, based on a book by Guardian columnist and documentarian Jon Ronson, follows a desperate reporter (McGregor) who comes across a huge story when he encounters Lyn Cassaday (Clooney), a man who claims he was a secret U.S. military psychic soldier and says he was reactivated after Sept. 11.

As the two men travel through Iraq, bizarre details emerge about the supposedly real Army unit put in charge of creating soldiers with paranormal powers.

Bridges will play the founder of the psychic soldier program and Lyn’s mentor, while Spacey will play a ex-psychic soldier who is now running a prison camp in Iraq.

The story is based on a supposedly real-life U.S. government program, with the title referring to attempts by members of the unit to kill goats and other barnyard animals simply by looking at them.

Clooney and Grant Heslov are assembling the movie through their Smoke House production company, with Heslov set to direct from a script by Peter Straughan (”How to Lose Friends and Alienate People”).

Shooting will begin in October.

McGregor has a string of upcoming movies, including “Angels & Demons,” “I Love You Phillip Morris” and “Amelia,” while Spacey will next appear in “Shrink” and “Telstar.”

Bridges was recently seen in the summer blockbuster “Iron Man.”

George Clooney May Go ‘Up In The Air’ For Jason Reitman

Eva Lam — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:03:18 +0000

George Clooney is in talks to star in “Up in the Air,” the latest project from Canadian filmmaker Jason Reitman.

The Oscar-winning actor would play a shallow corporate downsizer who is obsessed with collecting one million frequent flyer miles.

The dark comedy from Dreamworks is based on the 2001 Walter Kirn novel of the same name and was adapted by Reitman himself, who began writing the screenplay five years ago.

Reitman, who received an Oscar nomination for last year’s indie hit “Juno,” will also direct.

“Up in the Air” won’t be the first time Kirn receives the big-screen treatment — the author’s previous novel “Thumbsucker” was adapted into a 2005 movie starring Keanu Reeves and Vince Vaughn.

Clooney, who directed and starred in this year’s “Leatherheads,” is currently promoting the Coen brothers’ comedy “Burn After Reading,” in which he plays a CIA agent.

He is also voicing the title character in “The Fantastic Mr. Fox,” Wes Anderson’s animated adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel.

The Prerogative – TRULY BROMANTIC

andPOP Staff — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:19:25 +0000

Since the term “bromance” entered the zeitgeist, I’ve been adamantly rejecting the phrase, along with “showmace” and “homance” and really, any other word conglomeration ending in “mance”. But recently, I’ve come to realized precisely why the idiom exists. Two reasons. Two men. The perfect example and epitome of a true bromance. Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

Not only are they two of the sexiest men alive. Literally. Just hands down, universally gorgeous. Not only are they ridiculously good-looking but they are witty, laid-back and just plain cool. And if they aren’t all of the above things in reality, they are just really good actors- on and off-screen.
Off-screen the stars appear to be best buddies, like the two popular jocks in high school, fun-loving frat boys, sitting on top of the social food-chain hamming it up for the little people. They laugh; they take lighthearted jabs at each other; they play their roles (Brad the family man and George the eternal bachelor) and most importantly, they know how to work a press conference.

While promoting their latest flick, Burn After Reading at the Venice Film Festival, Pitt and Clooney have been practically inseparable, leaving behind a trail of drooling paparazzi and salivating reporters.

The fascination is self-explanatory. Brad has six incredibly cute, multi-cultural kids with the Sexiest U.N Ambassador Alive. George is, well, George Clooney- the guy who will forever be every woman’s fantasy and no one’s reality since he’s determined to stay single for the rest of time. Together, they are the Batman and Robin of Hollywood, the dynamic duo of Tinseltown.

And at the press conference in Venice, like true cronies, they had each other’s backs. When reporters inevitably asked the two personal questions, the responses were funny, on-point and of course, evasive.

“I am so surprised to hear that question,” George quipped when some genius asked him when he’d be starting his own family. “This honestly is the first time I’ve ever been asked that question. I’m getting married and having children today. Brad?”

To which Brad responded: “And until then I’ll be sharing mine with him. I’ll have two more by next year.”

The reporters didn’t let up of course and continued to ask about the Twins, aka The Chosen Ones. Clooney didn’t miss a beat and intervened with: “The twins are fine,” then joked that he and Pitt were sitting at opposite ends of the table because of a restraining order. Pure hilarity. I just wonder who would win in a game of beer-pong.

I don’t even care if this Cohen Brothers’ movie they are pushing is even remotely good. I don’t care if the Ocean’s franchise has been exhausted beyond its limit. I want more Pitt-Clooney shenanigans.

They’ve got the whole world eating out of their sexy, sexy hands – yes even their hands are sexy. It’s making me giddy just thinking about when the boys will be in town for TIFF. Throw in Matt Damon and Don Cheadle (who will be here for the annual OneXOne gala) and we’ve got ourselves a big bromantical soiree. I’ll bring the keg stand.

‘Ocean’s’ Co-Stars Team Up For Myanmar Ad Campaign

Eva Lam — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:24:27 +0000

Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon have joined up for another project, but it’s not “Ocean’s 14.”

The trio lent their star power to an advertising campaign aimed at boosting aid for Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), which was devastated by a cyclone last month.

The campaign is sponsored by the U.S.-based activist group “Not On Our Watch,” which is headed up by Pitt, Clooney and Damon alongside fellow actor Don Cheadle, producer Jerry Weintraub and human rights lawyer David Pressman.

The full-page ad, which the group took out in Indonesian English language daily “The Jakarta Post” Wednesday, urges neighbouring countries to push Myanmar’s junta to allow more foreign aid into the country, which the reclusive regime has been reluctant to accept.

“Burma’s neighbours have the power to help victims who remain desperately in need,” says the advertisement, which is signed by Asian political figures and Nobel laureates.

According to the junta, the cyclone on May 2 and 3 left around 138,000 people missing or dead, and the UN estimates that 2.4 million people are still in need of aid.

George Clooney Single Again

andPOP Staff — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:11:07 +0000

Rumours are flying that George Clooney and girlfriend Sarah Larson have split.

Though his publicist has not yet confirmed the breakup, In Touch Weekly magazine is reporting that Clooney is relieved to be single again and called it quits because he does not want to be tied down.

Clooney and Larson met in Las Vegas four years ago when Larson was working as a cocktail waitress.

The couple has been dating for a year.

Sydney Pollack Dies at 73

andPOP Staff — Tue, 27 May 2008 08:59:07 +0000

Academy Award winning director Sydney Pollack died of cancer on Monday, at the age of 73.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Pollack succumbed to his illness in his home in the Pacific Palisades, just hours after the premiere of an HBO show he produced, called “Recount.”

Pollack won the Oscar for his direction of “Out of Africa,” and was nominated twice more. He won an Emmy for “The Game” in 1965, and was a founding member of the Sundance Film Institute.

“Sydney made the world a little better, movies a little better and even dinner a little better,” said George Clooney, who worked with Pollack on “Michael Clayton. “A tip of the hat to a class act. He’ll be missed terribly.”

George Clooney Donates Uniform to Museum

Irene Ogrodnik — Mon, 26 May 2008 08:41:38 +0000

George Clooney is donating his entire football uniform from his recent movie “Leatherheads” to a museum in Kentucky. The Oscar winner is dedicating the complete outfit, cleats and all, to the museum in honour of his late aunt, singer Rosemary Clooney.

Curator Steve Henry, of the Rosemary Clooney House Museum in Augusta, told the local paper that he would like to add at least one costume from all of Clooney’s new films to the display collection. The museum already has a set of Clooney’s “ER” scrubs.

The new display is set to open this June 7.