Movies

Robert Altman, the man behind the lens on "M*A*S*H," "Nashville" and "The Player," died Monday night at a Los Angeles Hospital, his Sandcastle 5 Productions Company said Tuesday. He was 81.

The cause of death was not disclosed, but a news release is expected later today, Associated Press reports.

Altman was nominated for an Academy Award five times for directing, most recently in 2001 for "Gosford Park." He was given a Lifetime Achievement Oscar in 2006, where Altman revealed in his acceptance speech that he had a received a heart transplant a decade earlier.

Who cares if Jennifer Hudson didn't win "American Idol"? With her performance as Effie White in "Dreamgirls," the big-voiced diva is getting enough critical acclaim to send her Grammy-winning co-star, the fabulous Beyoncé, over the edge with envy.

The film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical was supposed to be Beyoncé's star vehicle, but it's Hudson who's getting the Oscar buzz. Oh no she dit-n't!

Entertainment Weekly believes Jennifer's a shoo-in for a Best Supporting Actress nod, and New York Times reporter David Carr flat out says that Hudson "steals the show." Even Oprah called up the songstress and told her it was a "transcendent performance." If you thought Beyoncé was angry before -- somebody better ring the alarm!

See for yourself as a star is born; "Dreamgirls", with Jennifer Hudson, opens December 15.

In an online poll conducted by the National Education Association, Ms. Alba came out on top as the celebrity that people would most want to see substitute teach for a day. Detention never sounded so good.

Here's a reason to bring back corporal punishment!

Jessica and her A+ curves received more votes than Oprah and Angelina Jolie; apparently, philanthropy doesn't hold a candle to six-pack abs. Think of the extra-curricular activities!

La Loren, who appears in the sexy Pirelli 2007 Calendar, was at a press conference on Thursday looking a tad like the cross-dressing Dustin Hoffman.

We hope the Italian stunner doesn't take offense; everyone knows that the best divas all have a little drag queen in them! Ciao!

Not known for her vocal abilities, listening to her sing this track might surprise you. And yes, TMZ has confirmed, it's really Demi singing. Cool!

Katie carried baby Suri, while Tom, decked out in a pinstriped three-piece suit, kept his protective arm around Holmes' waist. By the way, it seems to us that his burgundy tie and brown shoes don't go well with the grey suit. Just our opinion.

Meanwhile with Jennifer Lopez, Jim Carrey and Brooke Shields among the attendees for the ceremony, helicopters have already begun circling the fortress-like Castle Odescalchi.

Time will tell if the wedding site will be able to keep the paparazzi from crossing the moat.

An official from Interpol, the police in Wellington, New Zealand, confirms to TMZ that no report of an accidental death has been taken and they are certain no such incident occurred.

TMZ has obtained a photo of Tom Hanks taken just yesterday in Ontario, California, during the filming of "Charlie Wilson's War."

Saying that he wanted his Borat film to win an Oscar "for best anti-Jewish film," he added, "there is of course very fierce competition from your Melvin Gibson."

And as not to offend his Aussie hosts, said, "I am a huge fanny of your country."

Is Justin Guarini related to any celebrities? --Amy

Amy, get ready for a schooling in Justin Guarini! Justin's father, Eldrin Bell, has a first cousin named LaTanya Richardson, an actress who is married to Samuel L. Jackson. Guarini's mother, Kathy, was a CNN anchor and journalist with whom President Jimmy Carter was once acquainted. Carter called to congratulate Kathy on the birth of Justin -- direct from Air Force One! Guarini's godparents are Prince Faisel and his former wife, Princess Azia of Saudi Arabia. And just for the heck of it -- Justin was in the same choir as P!nk at Lenape Middle School in Bucks County, PA.

For more family biz, read this!

TMZ has obtained a copy of the release agreement signed by the ordinary people who appeared in the "Borat" movie, but even more significant than the release is the standard cover letter.

Two frat boys who appeared in the movie have sued the film's producers, claiming they were defrauded. They allege producers promised them that they were appearing in a Kazakhstani TV documentary that would never be shown in the U.S.

The release agreement that TMZ obtained is difficult to read, and the participant who supplied TMZ with the copy says his original is equally hard to read. Nevertheless, it is a comprehensive, standard release which basically signs away your first born.

The cover letter is interesting. It almost seems like it's written by Borat himself. It begins, "Dear Film Participant." The letter continues, "Thanks very much for your interest in appearing in our Film. We're glad that you want to appear in the film to share your views or insights with the public."

And it goes on: "Attached is our standard legal consent agreement. You'll see it explains that in addition to the chance to appear in the Film, you will get an appearance fee of $___., in return for your letting us have unrestricted rights to use your image and voice in our Film. As the agreement makes clear, you will be waiving all claims in relation to the Film."

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, attended a benefit premiere of "Casino Royale" in London tonight.

Other queens, like Elton John, were seen scrambling just before Her Royal Highness pulled up in a swank limo. The Queen, 80 (not Elton), dragged her consort, Prince Philip, to the shindig.

The queen looked noticeably excited to meet Daniel Craig (Elton that is).

There's a debate raging in Hollywood over the making of the "Borat" movie and whether producers deceived the people who appeared in the film. Well, if there was deceit, it could cost FOX plenty, but it's peanuts compared to the money the studio is raking in.

Two frat boys who appeared onscreen in a drunken, racial rant are now suing producers, claiming they were told the movie was a TV documentary authorized by the government of Kazakhstan and that it would never be shown in the U.S. A driving school owner also featured in the film told TMZ exactly the same story.

Here's the deal. If someone lies to you to get you to sign a legal document -- in this case, a release allowing producers to include you in a film -- whatever you subsequently sign may not be legally binding. It's called fraud in the inducement, meaning someone induces you to sign an otherwise binding contract under false pretenses.

TMZ has done some digging, and everyone we've spoken with, who was featured in the film, told us the same tale of woe -- that they were all led to believe their fellow "US and A" citizens would never know what they did on camera.

This could be a fascinating case if it makes it to court. On the one hand, you have producers who could look like greedy, double-dealing schmucks trying to bamboozle ordinary folk. On the other hand, how's a jury gonna feel about two racist frat boys who expected that their prejudices would be a secret protected by the Atlantic Ocean?

FOX has simply said the lawsuit is without merit. Here's the reality: The studio may end up paying off some of the featured "performers." Maybe they'll each get 25 grand. Compare that to a movie that could rake in hundreds of millions of dollars. If that's the cost of doing business, then sign everyone up.

You think you know what Matt Damon considers his most cringe-worthy moment? No, it wasn't his high profile romance with klepto-thesp Winona Ryder, it was having to utter the line, "I like the way we danced," in Robert Redford's "The Legend of Bagger Vance."

According to Details magazine, the cheeseball line he muttered to Charlize Theron is "still hacking away from inside Damon's skull with a five iron." Not a disaster of Gigli-sized proportion.

One thing he is proud of: convincing "Bourne Supremacy" director Paul Greengrass and Universal Studios to reshoot the ending of the film, using Matt's more spectacular ending, just three weeks before the film's release! The man's got balls!

Matt, known among his peers for avoiding the limelight, believes that too much exposure can turn an otherwise serious actor into a "personality" and lead to not being believable in different roles. Can you say "Bennifer?"

From his stellar reviews in "The Departed," it doesn't look like Matt has anything to worry about.

His wish was to become a world famous movie star, and he got it -- complete with screaming fans, red carpets ... even paparazzi.

Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 7-year-old Christian Pierce (who has a brain tumor), went face-to-face with TMZ's cameras. We spotted Hollywood's newest rising star after he finished a power lunch with superagents from the United Talent Agency at Prego in Beverly Hills.

Nicole Richie could take a few pointers from this spunky kid, who handled photogs and autograph seekers like a pro!

The new Bond Girls are giving Halle Berry a run for her money.

Every 007 flick comes with at least two hotties for the spy to love, and "Casino Royale" continues the tradition -- just don't expect names like 'Pussy Galore' or 'Dr. Christmas Jones.' Bond's leading ladies in the prequel are the smokin' hot 'Solange,' and his first love, 'Vesper Lynd,' played by the stunning Caterina Murino and Eva Green, respectively.

Green says the sex scenes were a breeze for her, "I think they're not the most difficult scenes for an actor, you don't really have to act, it's more physical and it is not really hot sex, it's pretty gentle so it's really easy." Yeah, not tough rolling around with Daniel Craig for a few hours. We get it.

Former (we hope) trainwreck Tara Reid appears to be back on track at the premiere of "The Fountain" in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Clad in a simple but elegant black strapless dress, Tara looked fresh-faced under her flowing golden locks, and seems to have vanquished all signs of her widely publicized trauma with botched plastic surgery.

We're hoping Tara's new A-list style helps her get into Hyde.