MGM Home Entertainment have announced the Region 1 DVD release of Lions For Lambs on 8th April 2008 priced at $29.98 SRP. Robert Redford, Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep star in this thriller that explores the consequences of taking a stand. An idealistic professor (Redford) in California attempts to inspire a student to do more with his life, while a charismatic Senator (Cruise) in Washington D.C. pitches a new Middle East war strategy to a probing TV journalist (Streep). And halfway across the world, two of the professor’s former students are trapped behind enemy lines in Afghanistan, fighting for freedom—and their very lives. As the tension mounts and the bullets fly, these Americans will change each other’s lives and the world in ways they never could have imagined.

Available in separate widescreen and full screen editions with English DD5.1 Surround audio, extras include commentary by director Robert Redford, “The Making of Lions For Lambs,” “Script To Screen” and “United Artists Legacy” featurettes and the theatrical teaser and trailer.

(DVDTimes)

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Haggis takes Hwy61 to United Artists

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Filmmaker Paul Haggis has inked an overall deal with United Artists that will have the Oscar winner writing, producing and possibly directing projects with the studio through his newly created Hwy61 production shingle.

Under the terms of the pact, which is nonexclusive and leaves Haggis free to collaborate elsewhere, the “Crash” director is expected to produce two films a year with his producing partner Michael Nozik.

First up for Hwy61 — the name is taken from the Bob Dylan song “Highway 61 Revisited” — will be an adaptation of the children’s literature series “Ranger’s Apprentice,” with Haggis writing the screenplay with his daughter Alissa and possibly directing. UA optioned the rights to the fantasy series by Australian author John Flanagan this month.

Also under the newly struck partnership, the Santa Monica-based Hwy61 and the Paula Wagner/Tom Cruise-helmed studio have optioned the rights to the Joseph Weisberg novel “An Ordinary Spy.”

Haggis, who co-wrote and directed the Oscar-winning “Crash” and the recent Iraq War drama “In the Valley of Elah” and wrote the screenplay for the Oscar-winning “Million Dollar Baby,” said he hopes to create a home for writers and directors.

This latest venture marks more movement for the independently run UA, which this month picked up the remake rights to the Spanish film “Los Cronocrimenes,” to be produced by Steve Zaillian. That deal marked the first the studio has made since signing an interim agreement with the striking Writers Guild of America.

(Reuters/Hollywood Reporter, Wed Jan 30, 2008)

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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.—Tom Cruise is the first on the list to get Ducati’s newest motorcycle—a $72,500 superbike bristling with titanium, magnesium and carbon fiber technology that can scoot up to 200 mph.
Cruise is scheduled to take delivery of the Desmosedici RR at Beverly Hills Ducati this week. Only 1,500 of the red-and-white Moto GP racing replica motorcycles will be made and Cruise gets the first.

Michael Lock, chief of Cupertino-based Ducati North America, said the Desmosedici RR “is the impossible dream—made possible.”

“We are delighted to be able to deliver the world’s first production unit here in the USA to Tom Cruise, who is a well-known Ducati enthusiast,” Lock said in a statement.

———

On The Net: http://www.ducatiusa.com. (Source: InsideBayArea.com)

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Tom was a presenter at the 2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards last night, and here are:

Pictures (click to view the album)

The Video (Right click > “save as” to download it to your computer. You will need WinRar to unzip the file)

Thanks Roberta for the video!

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By SANDY COHEN, AP Entertainment Writer Sun Jan 27, 2:03 AM ET

LOS ANGELES (AP) — You’re never too big to rehearse. Tom Cruise was among the stars who stopped by the Shrine Auditorium Saturday to run through lines for Sunday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards — the only show during Hollywood’s strike-subdued awards season that’s sure to have an A-list turnout.

Clad in a black blazer with a matching turtleneck and jeans, Cruise chewed gum and joked with stagehands as he practiced his lines in front of an audience of stand-ins and seat-saving placards.

His rehearsal was broadcast on monitors throughout the theater as workers prepared it for the 1,200 actors and industry heavyweights expected, along with scores of journalists.

Among the expected guests at the union’s 14th annual awards show are Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Forest Whitaker and Cate Blanchett.

Even the rehearsal list read like a star-studded party, with Chandra Wilson, Vanessa Williams, Viggo Mortensen, Kate Beckinsale and James Marsden among those taking the stage Saturday.

“Hairspray” star Nikki Blonsky’s mom worked a Blackberry as the actress practiced her lines. Wearing a black tunic over matching leggings and her hair in a bun, Blonsky smiled as she looked out at a front-row seat with her name on it. After her five-minute rehearsal, a stage manager gave her the A-OK sign and she rushed away to give an interview.

Outside, a tent in the theater parking lot was transformed into an elegant setting for the awards-show after party. Thousands of white roses filled giant gold vases lining the curtain-draped walls. Half a dozen workers stood atop tall ladders to trim the ceiling with greenery.

In just a few hours, the crates of champagne flutes in the center of the room would be replaced with actors rubbing elbows with their own.

___

On the Net:

http://www.sagawards.org/ (Source: Yahoo! News)

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By WENN world entertainment news – Saturday, January 26 01:50 pm

Kirstie Alley has jumped to fellow Scientologist Tom Cruise’s defence following criticism the movie star received for raving about the controversial religion in a promotional video.

Footage leaked online showed a high-energy Cruise talking about Scientology, calling the religion “a blast” and then saluting a portrait of church founder, sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard.

The video was never meant to be seen by the general public and Alley insists the criticism over Cruise’s comments prove why church elders were keen to use the footage for promotional purposes only.

She says, “Tom was using words meant for a Scientology audience. On the web, the video is take out of context.

“It’s like a rabbi addressing a Christian church, speaking in Hebrew. No one would understand him.” (Source: Yahoo! News UK & Ireland)

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Will Smith and Tom Cruise are so competitive they “push one another to be better”.

Smith admits he and his good friend Cruise help each other cope with being internationally famous actors.

And the pair share tips on everything, including how best to educate their children.

He says: “That’s my man right there. We push one another to be better.

“We both home-school our children, and there’s a comprehension of what each of us goes through that everybody else can’t understand, that’s a really unique position and less than .0001% of people on earth will ever experience.” (Ireland On-line)

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More celebs are standing up for Tom, besides the ones mentioned in the post below:

Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes Friends Rush to Their Defense

Tom Cruise and the fabulous Katie Holmes have always been the subject of intense scrutiny, but now the spotlight is really glaring on both of them and especially on Tom. People magazine notes in this week’s issue that he is currently the subject of a scathing biography, and a pro-Scientology video he appeared in has become the butt of jokes and was even mocked by fellow actor Jerry O’Connell.

But now some of his friends have spoken out to People magazine and have rushed to the defense of Cruise. Bruce Willis told the magazine, “There is no excuses for the ridicule that is being shown to Tom Cruise in the media because of his faith. Mr. Cruise deserves and is entitled to the same religious tolerance that is afforded every other religion on earth.”

His ex-wife Demi Moore chimed in as well, “What’s so difficult about allowing someone to be happy? After meeting Katie, he was sharing in an unguarded way. He’s passionate; he’s adventurous. Give him a break.”

Ben Stiller, who generally shies away from formal statements about other stars to the press, had this to say, “Imagine having a baby and people talking about it the way they did. People lose sight of the fact that Tom Cruise is actually a person. I feel for him. What he’s dealing with is rough.”

Jim Carrey told People, “I’ve never known Tom to be anything but supportive, positive and honorable. Although his enthusiasm for Scientology is unsettling to some, what concerns me is not the content of this [Scientology] video, but the appetite we have to see those who’ve brought us so much joy held up to ridicule.”

The magazine has a whole list of stars rushing to his defense. Will it be enough to shake Tom & Katie free of the ongoing ridicule? (National Ledger, CelebritySafe.com)

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THURSDAY JANUARY 24, 2008 08:25 AM EST

Tom Cruise has been taking a beating in the press lately, but several of the star’s pals are standing up for him.

Adam Sandler tells PEOPLE in an exclusive statement. Adam Sandler tells PEOPLE in an exclusive statement, “To see anyone’s private life invaded and mocked like this is sickening. It’s especially gross when it happens to a guy like Cruise, who’s a great dad, a great husband, and a great friend.”

Earlier this month, Andrew Morton’s scathing biography of Cruise hit shelves; meanwhile, a pro-Scientology video starring the actor hit the Internet and became the butt of jokes. But many of Cruise’s friends and colleagues are not laughing.

Dustin Hoffman, Cruise’s Rain Man co-star, tells PEOPLE: “Tom Cruise is an American and has the right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion.”

Dan Snyder, the Washington Redskins owner who has a financing deal with Cruise/Wagner Productions, is also defending the star. “Tom is a winner. That’s a fact,” Snyder writes in an e-mail. “He is a terrific actor, a terrific father and a terrific person. I’m proud to be his friend.”

In this week’s issue of PEOPLE, other stars – including Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Jim Carrey, Ben Stiller and mogul Harvey Weinstein – also speak out in defense of their friend. “Imagine having a baby and people talking about it the way they did,” says Stiller. “People lose sight of the fact that Tom Cruise is actually a person. I feel for him.” (Source: People)

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tom Cruise is set to be a presenter at the Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony Sunday, joining a roster of A-listers appearing on the show.

Cruise, a three-time Oscar and SAG Awards nominee, will help hand out the coveted Actor trophies at the Shrine Auditorium.

Previously announced presenters include Steve Carell, Russell Crowe, Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey, Forest Whitaker and John Travolta.

The SAG Awards will recognize performances in five film and eight television categories. Winners, chosen by nearly 100,000 members of the actors’ union, often become front-runners for the Academy Awards. (Source: USA Today)

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