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Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Support Scientology

Vanessa Baker — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:43:20 +0000

Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, donated $122,000 to Scientology groups in 2008, despite the fact that they deny being members of the religion, reports Perez Hilton.

The Smiths own private school in Southern California, The New Village Leadership Academy, which recently underwent criticism for using Scientology teaching methods. Eyebrows were raised when the “non-Scientologists” replaced the school’s headmaster with another who had completed Scientology classes.

“You have people who are attacking and want to fight and don’t know nothing,” said Smith. “How you gonna not know nothing about Scientology and attack somebody? It’s dangerous and it’s ignorant. And as an American, I’m not gonna be a part of that.”

Smith, who claims to be a Christian, said Scientology, founded by L. Ron Hubbard, is “98 percent like the Bible.”

A number of celebrities have been criticised for practising Scientology in recent years, most notably Tom Cruise and his wife Katie Holmes.

Movie Review: Valkyrie

Irene Ogrodnik — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 17:08:33 +0000

Tom Cruise has it tough. Besides receiving constant criticism for his bizarre behaviour — which not only includes his couch-jumping and Scientology praising ways but his 2005 verbal showdown with Today Show host Matt Lauer — he is also being scrutinized for his most recent role in the WWII flick Valkyrie.

Although some other critics have already labeled his performance as unmemorable and amuse themselves silly with the images of Cruise in an eye patch, I think Cruise proves there is a reason why, even through all of his shenanigans, he is still doing well as an actor in Hollywood.

Cruise stars in this suspense film—based on a true story as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg. Stauffenberg serves his country but hopes that someone will find a way to stop one of the world’s most evil tyrants known to date —Adolf Hitler — from destroying Europe and Germany. Stauffenberg realizes time is running out and joins the German resistance. These men use Hitler’s own emergency plan — know as Operation Valkyrie — to assassinate the dictator and overthrow Nazi Germany. While his life and the lives of others, including his wife and children, are on the line, Stauffenberg believes that he is the one that must kill Hitler.

Director Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, X-Men) teams up once again with Academy-Award winner screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects) in order to tell the story of the men who led the operation to assassinate Hitler. The film also stars an acclaimed cast including Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Carice van Houten, Thomas Kretschmann, Eddie Izzard, Christian Berkel and Terence Stamp.

The film, shot in Germany at various locations where many of the actual events occurred, succeeds at being thrilling and engaging. It is one of the few historical films that you might just not doze off to.

And while I do not have to tell you whether or not the plot to assassinate Hitler was successful (I sure hope not because if I do, where the hell were you in history class?) I will tell you that Cruise managed to redeem himself (if not a lot but a little) as an actor taking the steps to prove he still has it. Although Cruise does deliver a memorable performance, it does not remotely equal his role and talent in Risky Business.

Valkyrie was originally slated for an October 2008 release date but somehow someone thought a December 25th release date was more appropriate. I also hope I do not have to tell you it is not a jolly feel good holiday film to be watch by the entire family.

Tom Cruise May Engage In ‘Food Fight’

Eva Lam — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:03:11 +0000

Following a rare comedic turn in “Tropic Thunder,” Tom Cruise could be aiming to get more laughs in a new movie called “Food Fight.”

The actor is loosely attached to star in Universal’s Working Title comedy as a snooty New York chef who is forced to cook meals at a school cafeteria, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Adam Brooks, who wrote and directed this year’s “Definitely, Maybe,” is attached to pen the screenplay, while the search for a director is underway.

The movie would be a departure for Cruise, who hasn’t done many comedies since his breakout role in 1983’s “Risky Business.”

Exceptions include the romantic dramedy “Jerry Maguire,” a bit part in “Austin Powers in Goldmember” and his much-buzzed-about cameo in “Tropic Thunder,” which hit theatres today (Wednesday).

The actor will next appear in the drama “Valkyrie” as a Nazi commander who plotted to kill Hitler. The Bryan Singer-directed movie will be released in February 2009.

Tom Cruise Loses Role To Angelina Jolie

andPOP Staff — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:01:07 +0000

Tom Cruise has taken another blow to his career and ego as he has reportedly lost a role – to Angelina Jolie.

According to Variety, Cruise was attached to the title role of “Edwin A. Salt,” a CIA drama. But when studio execs found out that Jolie had taken a liking to the script, they re-wrote it for her.

With the deal close to being signed, Jolie will likely play the CIA agent accused of spying for Russia, forcing her to elude her own company and prove her innocence. Of course, the film and character will be re-named.

Cruise, on the other hand, will next appear briefly in “Tropic Thunder.”

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s Marraige

andPOP Staff — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:37:12 +0000

Nicole Kidman has called her relationship much more laid-back than her previous marriage to Tom Cruise.

She told Vogue magazine, “Keith and I, we’re more like, ‘Hey’ [she shrugs and smiles]. We just gently, gently sort of fell into each other. We were just two lonely people who went, ‘Ah, there you are.’ I’m so committed to this relationship, and so is he. I don’t have addiction problems, but love is a very powerful force in my life. It’s my fatal flaw and my virtue.”

The couple are expecting a child this summer – an overwhelming emotional ride for Kidman, who has suffered several miscarriages.

“When I first saw the baby on the ultrasound, I started crying,” she said in the interview. “I didn’t think I’d get to experience that in my lifetime. I like the unpredictable nature of it. To feel life growing with you is something very, very special, and I’m going to embrace that completely.”

TomKat Host a Lavish House Warming Bash

Irene Ogrodnik — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:40:42 +0000

Tom Cruise and wife Katie Holmes threw an over-the-top house warming party at their $35 million Beverly Hills estate.

The couple hosted the bash for more than 500 guests over the weekend. The pair and their daughter, Suri , recently moved into the 10,000 square foot home with seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms.

Celebrities who attended the event include Reese Witherspoon and boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal, Kimora Lee Simmons, Eva Longoria, Prince, Sean Combs, Kirstie Alley and Oprah Winfrey. Cruise’s mother and sister were also in attendance.

Tents have been set up in the backyard for days and an army of valets were on sight, as were eight police officers to direct the stream of limousines that arrived.

Cruise and Holmes purchased their luxurious home last year.

Posh Spice Forbidden To Discuss Diets with Katie Holmes

Irene Ogrodnik — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:36:20 +0000

Tom Cruise does not want Victoria Beckham to discuss diets with his wife Katie Holmes.

The “Mission Impossible” actor has asked the former Spice Girls star to remain quiet about diet and food, because of concerns that Holmes was getting too thin. “Tom was firm but polite. He said that, although he understood Victoria thought she was only trying to help Katie to lose weight after Suri’s birth, he didn’t want her swapping any more diet tips with Katie in future,” said a source close to Cruise.

Beckham is known for her slender figure and is doing the best she can to refrain from discussing food whenever the she is with Holmes.

“She hasn’t mentioned food and diet once around Katie since then. And when they’ve been out for meals together, she’s made a real effort not to comment on what anyone’s eating, and to try to order more food herself – even if she doesn’t touch it once it’s on her plate.”

Tom Cruise Now Online

andPOP Staff — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:18:19 +0000

Although a little late, Tom Cruise has launched his own website, http://www.TomCruise.com in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the release of “Risky Business”.

The film made Cruise a star.

On the site, Cruise writes, “I created this site as a thank you, to you, for sharing the journey with me and to invite you to continue to explore what the future will bring.”

The site includes a filmography, photo gallery and a link to his recent appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Though celebrity websites are common, many believe that Cruise will use the site to control his image which in recent years has been dogged by Internet users and the entertainment media.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes Sue Baby Boutique

andPOP Staff — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:44:00 +0000

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have a “Petit” bone to pick.

According to reports, the couple is suing the owner of Petit Tresor, a baby boutique in L.A., for feeding tabloids lies about their spending habits on Suri.

The couple’s attorney sent a cease-and-desist threat to Samantha Winch, owner of the high-end baby boutique, after bogus shopping details that Holmes and Cruise spent between $350,000 and $400,000 in their stores were given to “Life & Style” magazine.

The letter accuses the company of spreading rumours about the famous couple “for the purpose of enhancing [the store's] image and obtaining a commercial advantage.”

“Petite Tresor is trying to get publicity for themselves by telling the press that celebrities are shopping in their store when they’re not,” says a rep for Cruise.

Tom Cruise To Appear On ‘Oprah’

andPOP Staff — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:03:00 +0000

Tom Cruise is returning to “Oprah”!

The A-lister hasn’t appeared on the talk show since summer of 2005, when he jumped up and down on Winfrey’s couch like a madman, professed his love for Katie Holmes, and then dragged Holmes out from backstage. He was supposed to be promoting his movie at the time, “War of the Worlds.”

This time, Cruise doesn’t have a movie to promote.

Cruise and Holmes were the center of tabloid attention for their unlikely whirlwind romance. The couple was engaged after only two months of dating, and wed in 2006 in Italy.

Cruise also made headlines in 2005 for arguing with Matt Lauer on the NBC’s “Today” show, where he called Lauer “glib” and declared: “You don’t know the history of psychiatry. I do.”

They were arguing over the use of anti-depressants. Cruise had publicly criticized Brooke Shields earlier for taking them to treat her post-partum depression.

Neither the date nor the topic for the Oprah show with Cruise have been released. It may just be another publicity stunt for May sweeps.