Micah Sloat Death, A horror movie made for a few thousand dollars may be creating a new blueprint for Hollywood’s financial future.
The film, Paranormal Activity, features an unknown cast and crew, and was made for the meagre budget of US$15,000. Yet, on the back of an inspired marketing campaign, and exponential hype, it has been selling-out US cinemas and is poised to outperform a host of starry rivals.
Already dubbed “one of the scariest movies of all time”, its success is drawing comparisons with The Blair Witch Project, the documentary-style film which in 1999 became the first viral marketing sensation of the internet era, returning a staggering US$250m against its US$60,000 budget.
The new film, a tale of demonic possession, made mostly on a camcorder, is gaining remarkable momentum in the run-up to Halloween. It represents a rare good news story in an industry bracing itself for cuts to budgets and star salaries, following a slew of redundancies among leading studio executives.
Hey Jessica Alba, some have critiqued your inability to choose a decent script. Looks like you're having similar problems picking a decent outfit for Los Angeles living. Here are some helpful rules that can apply to both your cinematic craft and casual couture.
Don't make it too complicated. No need to go for a layered performance. Just stick to your strongest assets. You don't have to wear four pairs of socks nor do you need to dabble in "dialogue heavy" roles.
Understand exposure. It can be tricky—much like the waistline of your goofy shorts. Keep a lower profile.
In general, stay away from flashy diaper bags andDane Cook movies as both are filled with…well, you get it!
Giving back to the community, Selena Gomez stepped out for charitable endeavors in Culver City on Tuesday morning (October 6).
The “Wizards of Waverly Place star looked cute in a white top and jeans as she attended an event at Charnock Road Elementary School.
Fresh of the release of her debut album, Kiss and Tell, Miss Gomez recently chatted with press about how she relates to the songs - even though she didn’t write all of them.
“I don’t think I have to write every song to have it be personal, she tells. “I wanted to make sure, A, I can relate to it, and B, my fans can relate to it and it’s something that I went through.”
Of her album hitting store shelves, Selena joyfully tells, “I am so happy. For it to finally be out is this huge thing lifted off my chest, and it feels amazing. I hope my fans like it.”
Fresh off of a cross-country flight, Paris Hilton and her boyfriend Doug Reinhardt were spotted arriving at JFK Airport in Queens on Thursday afternoon (October 8).
The former “Simple Life” star and her hunky beau lovingly held hands as they made their way through the terminal and out to an awaiting car.
Meanwhile, Miss Hilton recently chatted with press about her upcoming appearance on “Supernatural,” telling, “I’ve always thought the show was very interesting and had a great theme and idea behind it. I think fans will be very surprised by what I do on the show. It’s very different than any character that I have played before.”
The hotel heiress adds, “I play a goddess who takes on the form of different celebrities so she can eat their fans,” reveals Paris. “The character shape-shifts, starting off as James Dean, then Abraham Lincoln, then Gandhi, and then me.”
Actress Dia Mirza was in town recently and she seemed to be in a pretty candid mood.And pata hai what Dia revealed to the people around? “I simply love adventure. In fact, I’ve raced my car a lot of times, and even got a bashing for it,” she laughed. And no, she didn’t stop there and went on to say, “Being kidnapped sounds like fun, I’d love to be kidnapped.” And when we quizzed her as to whom would she like to kidnap, pat came the reply, “Brad Pitt is the most gorgeous man on earth, I would like to kidnap him. I’d lock him up and grill him with questions,” confessed Mirza.
We then turned to VJ Manish, who was also present there. Besides animated expressions and a whacky hairdo, he also sported a very blingy jacket. “I love bling!” he said. And talking about his career, he said, “I’m also doing movies now!” Well, from commercials to jockeying to B’wood, he seems to be on the right track!
NEW DELHI, India : Birthday wishes for Bollywood actress Rekha, Her glamorous persona still has men gawking. Bollywood actress Rekha, who turns 55 on Saturday, metamorphosed into a diva from the overweight young actress she once was and inspires the current league of actresses.“She is a dreamer… she lives in her own world. She imagines a lot of things that suit her psyche as an actor. She is a very genuine, warm and a very sensitive person… And no denying the fact a very good learner. It has been an amazing experience to work with her; she is a perfect actress,” said Muzaffar Ali.
“Post-Umrao Jaan, she has kind of withdrawn herself… perhaps because that role was a very cerebral, cultural and classical one that raised her to a pedestal that cannot be surpassed ever… not by her or by anyone else,” he added.
Daughter of southern star Gemini Ganesan, Rekha bagged overnight success with her debut vehicle Sawan Bhadon in (1970) and gradually became India’s sex symbol. What catapulted her to the Bollywood zenith was Muzaffar Ali’s period drama Umrao Jaan (1981) that even won her a National Award.
Having acted in more than 150 films, she made her presence felt with her versatility and different avatars in films like Do Anjaane (1976), Ghar (1978), Muqaddar Ka Sikander (1978), Khubsoorat (1980), Silsila (1981), Baseraa (1981), Utsav (1984), Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), Ijaazat (1988), Kama Sutra (1996) and Zubeidaa (2001) to name a few.
Last seen in a cameo for Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Om Shanti Om (2007), industry insiders have often spoken of Rekha as a “capable, disciplined actress with immense range, ability and mastery of precise detail”.
“Rekha is nearest to the parallel of Swedish actress Greta Garbo… they both came from poor backgrounds and climbed great heights… As an artist she was first noticed in Ghar and after that she was no more termed as only a voluptuous artist in Hindi cinema because then came films like Khubsoorat and Umrao Jaan that set her apart,” said noted film historian Gautam Kaul.
“She is enigmatic… because she is hard to get. She only moves in a small circle of senior film people and she shuns the media. That’s also because she is a tragic figure with failed relationships… none of which succeeded, so she has withdrawn into herself. The only place she is now noticed is award functions, which are also picked and chosen. But she still doesn’t give any interviews,” he added.
All said and done, Rekha is also known for her lifestyle and glossy image.
“Rekha is a diva… In fact, the term diva (in India) was coined for Rekha. The way she has metamorphosed herself from what she was when she came into the industry is mind blowing… She has worked on her language, body, diction, everything and apart from that she’s a fantastic actress,” said renowned film critic Omar Qureshi.
“There was a special ‘Rekha Diet’ compiled by Chunky Pande’s mother, Dr. Snehlata Pandey. Her looks and style are copied throughout India and she even has her book (on yoga and exercises) called ‘Rekha’s Mind and Body Temple’ (1983). She has remained a mystery and what keeps her a legend is that how she has kept it intact so beautifully. She is a complete Jane Fonda,” he added.
She still inspires the current league of actresses.
“She is a very good actress… I enjoy seeing her movies. She is very humane and caring. I wish her blessings and good wishes for her birthday,” said Gul Panag.
Item girl Rakhi Sawant feels that Rekha’s wax statue should also be made.
“There is no one in the industry to compare with Rekhaji as a beauty and as a performer… she is so good. For me, she is the perfect style icon. Jitna chamak unke face par hai, kisi ke chehre par nahin (the glow on her face is incomparable).
“She has a perfect nose, pretty eyes and the best part is that she does her make-up on her own. She is in perfect shape. I just love her and adore her. I think she should have a wax statue at Madame Tussaud’s. I wish her a very Happy Birthday,” Rakhi said.
Mugdha Godse: “I admire her and she is the one actress I look up to. I love her unforgettable films like ‘Khoobsurat’. She’s a living legend. I wish her many more happy birthdays and wish to see her more often on the silver screen.”
Rekha is also rumoured to be penning her autobiography and is also tentatively to appear in the sequel to Krrissh.
The Twitter gods giveth, and the Twitter gods taketh away. Unfortunately, not even the advent of the "black Svengali" can make up for the disappearance of Disney's biggest princess.
While the world continues to mourn the loss of Miley Cyrus' online overshares, no one appears to be more devastated than her own father, whose heart (but not typing fingers!) is positively achy-broken over his daughter's sudden boyfriend-enabled exit from the microblogging site.
And rather than pick up a phone or attempt—gasp!—face-to-face contact with the superstar fruit of his loins, he instead opted to rally the troops and lead the peer-pressure charge to get Smiley back online.
"Miley. You are a light in a world of darkness," Billy Raytweeted yesterday. "You were born 'Destiny Hope Cyrus' for a reason. You can't leave everyone now. We r countin on u."
Well, at least we know he's not putting undue pressure on the kid. Now who can the world turn to for their fill of @ replies and RT wisdom? Oh, that's right.
Still, while we can't be totally convinced that daddy dearest's increasingly perspective-losing tweets aren't fueled by the fact that there's a new, apparently more influential man in town, her other supporters' entreaties reek of a little more selflessness. But only just.
"I can't help but find myself asking the question 'What would Miley have tweeted about this?' " John Mayer, who never met a trending topic he didn't like, pondered last night.
Still, Cyrus' Hannah Montana costar seems to be among the few twitterers not joining the rally for her return (though it may be more a case of out sight, out of mind, as #mileycomeback has already fallen out of the top trends).
"P.S. @mileycyrus, I will miss u on Twitter," Mitchel Mussotweeted yesterday. "Updates R cool when friends R far away!"
"A lot of U R asking about @MileyCyrus," he added later. "What's best 4 Miley is that She is Happy & Safe. We don't walk in her shoes, we just Love her!"
Maybe he could have a word with Billy Ray on keeping things in perspective.
"I understand 'it is true one bad apple spoils the bunch,' " the mullet-reformed papa implored his daughter. "But listen to the words of your songs 'Stand…for what ya believe in'…Remember?"
Or maybe, just this once, sit down and keep shtum.
Unfortunately, it looks like Miley may be taking dad's advice: Sources tell E! News the teen is planning to either tweet (OMG!) or post a statement to her official website "within the next few days" further explaining her Twitter exit.
Micah Sloat Death, A horror movie made for a few thousand dollars may be creating a new blueprint for Hollywood’s financial future.
