Movies

Start sizing up Ronda Rousey for tights and a cape -- maybe even a utility belt -- 'cause she's got a serious future as an ass-kicking Hollywood hero ... according to comic book expert Kevin Smith.

Kevin told us Ronda's ready-made for one of those superhero flicks that tend to crush the box office every summer. Let's face it, she's already got an unmatched superpower -- ever seen anyone get out of that armbar.

Morgan Freeman bravely returned to work Tuesday in NYC after the death of his granddaughter.

Freeman's been filming the Zach Braff-directed comedy "Going in Style" all month.

"Straight Outta Compton" nailed the music and the attitude of N.W.A. -- but totally whiffed on baseball accuracy ... courtesy of Eazy-E's baseball cap.

Lil Eazy-E and Dr. Dre's son, Curtis, took TMZ to the place of origin for N.W.A ... and it's awesome!!!

It's the house that belonged to Eazy's mom and is featured prominently in "Straight Outta Compton." It's the place where they recorded "Boyz-n-the-Hood" and the place where Lil Eazy-E and Curtis still hang.

Dr. Dre's son, Curtis Young, ain't no thespian ... which is why he's cool getting passed over for his dad's part in "Straight Outta Compton."

Our photog spotted Young at LA Live and he couldn't contain his excitement for his pop's biopic.

Many LAPD cops are pissed at the release of "Straight Outta Compton" ... because they feel the movie fuels hatred of police and compromises their safety.

The cops we spoke with share one sentiment ... the movie portrays the LAPD officers as "beating machines" ... brutalizing innocent citizens in the inner city.

Former L.A. City Councilman Dennis Zine, who was himself an LAPD cop and headed up the Police Protective League, tells us, "It's a terrible time to release a movie like this. It adds fuel to the fire for hating cops."

The cops we spoke with are bitter, especially because they say they've spent a lot of time and energy creating bonds in areas where police abuse was once prevalent.

Some of the officers specifically blame Universal, saying the studio is putting profits above the safety of the officers who make L.A. safe.

Magic Johnson is a legend in Los Angeles, so it's only fitting he spends his 56th birthday watching the biopic of a few other L.A. legends ... "Straight Outta Compton."

The incomparable Laker had a birthday lunch at the Ivy and told us he'll catch the N.W.A. flick with his wife, Cookie.

Magic has strong feelings about increased security, but it's not because of the movie ... it goes way deeper.

Shia LaBeouf's love of rap music just reached a new height -- his upper, inner thigh.

A scruffy Shia took a stroll in L.A. and showed off some new ink that looks like a janky nod to Tupac Shakur. 'Pac famously had "Thug Life" tatted across his abs ... just like the shirtless character now above LaBeouf's left leg.

The tatt doesn't exactly do Pac justice ... can't tell if that's a mole or an attempt to illustrate Pac's gunshot wound to the chest.

California Love.

Ice Cube had a good day on Space Mountain ... where he busted out his "F**k tha Police" face just in time for the release of "Straight Outta Compton."

Cube and fam hit up Disneyland last weekend, and instead of his "Are We There Yet?" grin -- he flashed the hardest mug in the entire galaxy.

Sorry, Mickey ... you're not gonna catch O'Shea Jackson Sr. slipping.

In the shuttle, gettin' ready for flight ... lookin' in my mirror, not a Martian in sight.

The guy who was the first mate of the real-life Captain Phillips is now accused of terrorizing a crewman with a machete -- essentially acting out the movie.

You'll recall the character, Shane Murphy, who was held captive by Somali pirates in the Oscar-nominated movie. The real Shane Murphy is now captain of the M/V Energy Enterprise, a shipping vessel that operates between Tampa and New Orleans.

Murphy was simulating a pirate takeover with his crew last month, when he grabbed a machete and held it to a shipman's neck, demanding to know what he'd do if a real pirate insisted on seeing the captain.

The shipman, who fired off a lawyer's letter threatening to sue the company, says Capt. Murphy was so "out of his mind" he thought he was a dead man.

The letter claims the shipman is now deeply traumatized and unable to sleep or work. He wants $3 million for his troubles, or else.

Looking like your dad has its up and downs … as Ice Cube’s doppelganger of a son, O’Shea Jackson Jr. will tell you.

Our own camera guy did a double take when father and son landed Wednesday at LAX. Turns out Jr. --who plays his dad in the N.W.A. biopic "Straight Outta Compton" -- doesn't only look like his dad but he's drawing the same amount of attention after nailing the role in the film.

Uggie, the famous Jack Russell Terrier from "The Artist" ... has gone to the big doghouse in the sky -- after bravely battling a prostate tumor.

TMZ has learned the 13-year-old star who played "The Dog" in the 2012 Oscar winning film was put down Friday in Los Angeles. His owner, Omar Von Mueller, tells us it was a difficult decision, but Uggie had been suffering with the tumor, and the last few weeks were especially difficult.

Sarah Clifford worked with Uggie on his big star turn, and tells us he was "a perfect little terrier" with boundless energy.

His "Artist" work earned him several accolades, including a Golden Collar Award ... and the Palm Dog Award at Cannes. He also famously nipped at Harvey Levin during a visit to TMZ Live.

Uggie was able to cash in on all that success too -- becoming Nintendo's first ever spokesdog.

Clifford added ... "I will forever hold him dearly in my heart and never forget his infinite love for chicken and hotdogs."

R.I.P. little guy.

Alexander Ludwig was a human punching bag on the set of his new movie, "Final Girl" -- and director Tyler Shields was the one delivering the blows to his chiseled abs and face.

We got this clip of Shields pumping up Ludwig for an intense scene by landing several combination punches to the body. The video's pretty awesome -- either Tyler's a total lightweight or Alexander's a total badass ... 'cause he doesn't flinch.

We're gonna go with option #2.

Woody Allen's clunky typewriter could fetch more money than any computer in the world.

Our photog spotted the legendary writer/director grabbing dinner in L.A. Monday night at Craig's with wife, Soon-Yi.

Woody talked about the legendary Olympia SM-3 ... which he's used to write every movie he's ever made.

Former N.W.A. manager Jerry Heller plans to be front and center when "Straight Outta Compton" premieres this week, but he won't be alone ... he's bringing his lawyers with him!

Heller's been peeved about the movie ever since it was announced ... since he's a big part of N.W.A.'s story -- as champion and then alleged villain -- but has zero involvement with the flick.

Leaving Craig's Monday night in Bev Hills ... Heller, played by Paul Giamatti, sounded excited to see the movie, but only because he might sue if he doesn't like what he sees.