Movies

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are like brothers, so our eyebrows went north when we saw this pic of Matt hanging out with Ben's ex after a bad breakup.

Matt broke bread with Lindsay Shookus Tuesday night for an 'SNL' bash at Lattanzi Restaurant in NYC. You're looking at the 2 of them leaving, and Matt seemed to divert more smoothly than Jason Bourne ever did on screen.

By all accounts, Ben's drinking played a big role in the breakup. TMZ broke the story Ben decided he needed help and went to rehab. He's been out for a while and is now clean and sober.

Considering Matt is hosting 'SNL' this coming Saturday, it might just be a business thing that Ben and Lindsay were both at the same party -- Lindsay's a producer for the show. Matt, of course, also slayed as Brett Kavanaugh on 'SNL' this year, so they clearly have had interactions on the set.

Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell are hungry for a second helping of "Good Burger" ... but we've learned their craving is more fantasy than reality.

Our Nickelodeon sources say there has been NO movement on a "Good Burger" sequel because there has been so much turnover at the top of the network's leadership.

Kenan sparked this new wave of hope for a sequel when he recently revealed on 'Watch What Happens Live' that he and Kel would be open to a "Good Burger" reunion movie ... but the kitchen remains closed because it hasn't happened.

Our Kenan and Kel sources say longtime Nick producer Dan Schneider pitched the reunion idea, but he's no longer working for the network. We're told no one at Nick has seriously approached the idea, much less had a realistic conversation.

However, it's not all bad for those with a case of '90s nostalgia, because new Nick president Brian Robbins directed 'GB.' Brian is obviously a fan of the movie, so who knows what could happen?

Charlie Sheen says he's hit a milestone of sobriety -- and he's got a shiny AA coin to mark the occasion.

The former "Two and a Half Men" star posted a photo Tuesday of a sobriety coin, given to members of Alcoholics Anonymous to mark their progress.

Presumably -- from the looks of the celebratory token -- Charlie appears to have been off booze for at least a year.

He captioned his post ... "so THIS happened yesterday! a fabulous moment, in my renewed journey. #TotallyFocused."

Charlie has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for a long time, telling Dr. Oz in 2016 that he fell off the wagon after learning he'd been diagnosed with HIV in 2012. At the time, he said his most recent rehab stint was a "relief," and described himself as "focused, sober, hopeful."

Unclear if Charlie relapsed since then -- we were told last year that he mostly stays away from alcohol as part of his new vegan health kick -- but it seems he's fully off the sauce now.

Pras says he doesn't know why the Dept. of Justice is putting him at the center of a scheme to help a Malaysian financier funnel millions into the country -- but he's got a hunch it's due to his skin color.

We got the Fugees rapper at LAX where we asked him about this crazy new civil lawsuit filed by the U.S. DOJ. He's accused of conspiring with Jho Low in 2017 to sneak tons of cash into U.S. bank accounts. Allegedly, Low's intention was to bribe DOJ officials to influence a criminal probe into his alleged misuse of international dough.

The feds filed suit to recover some of those funds -- but Pras is not listed as a defendant. He's mentioned because of his business dealings with Low. The DOJ's still investigating and says criminal charges against Low and/or Pras could be coming.

Complicated, right? That's how Pras reacted to the allegations, but he did have one possible explanation for the suit ... they're pointing at him because he's black. At least that's the "vibe" he's getting.

Low has been tied to other celebs he lavished with gifts, which are now being seized by the feds. Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly received Marlon Brando’s 1954 Oscar from Low, as well as a Pablo Picasso painting, and supermodel Miranda Kerr was gifted jewelry and a see-through grand piano.

By now, Julia Roberts is totally used to media outlets sucking up to her, but an Upstate NY newspaper took it to the next level -- inadvertently -- with a headline praising her holes.

Seriously ... this is NOT photoshopped.

The Post-Journal in Jamestown, NY topped a Saturday article about Julia and her Amazon show, "Homecoming," with ... "Julia Roberts Finds Life And Her Holes Get Better With Age."

Awesome news for Julia, right?

Well, the paper copped to making a huge spelling error. It published a correction saying it was supposed to say her "Roles" are what's getting better.

Woulda been pretty awesome, though, if Julia actually said that in the interview! Makes ya wonder how they fact-checked that original headline, right?

In any event, doesn't seem like Julia's too bent outta shape about the error. One thing we know for sure is ... what Viv would have to say about all this.

Jason Sudeikis still looks like he's starring in "We're the Millers," and by that we mean Reggie Miller ... because his hoops shot looks NBA-ready ... in theme parks, anyway.

The actor was hanging out with Olivia Wilde and their kids over the weekend at Knott's Berry Farm in SoCal, where Jason showed out for a basketball carnival booth game. It was pretty much a 3-point contest ... and Jason crushed it.

He misses a few here and there from the corner but really gets into a groove at the top of the key ... where he gets bucket after bucket. Unclear what Jason and co. ended up winning, but ya gotta imagine it was something decent.

Stephen King thinks Patton Oswalt should be the next guy the Academy looks at to host the Oscars now that Kevin Hart's out -- but Pat's punting for some young blood.

We got the comedian and self-described movie buff Sunday at LAX, where we asked what he made of the horror icon putting Pat's name up for consideration -- in the wake of Hart's homophobic tweets. SK says Patton has all the necessary tools and knows film.

He's certainly a name that's been floated since the hosting gig opened up -- and everyone in Hollywood seems to have an opinion on who should get the job -- but he defers on himself ... and nominates Billy Eichner or Tiffany Haddish instead.

Check out the clip to hear why he thinks they're perfect options. Patton stopped short of saying it's because they'd represent women and/or the LGBTQ community ... but ya gotta think that's on his mind.

BTW, he still wants the gig for himself ... someday.

Tom Cruise still feels the need, the need for speed ... especially around Lake Tahoe where he's filming some super sick action scenes for the upcoming 'Top Gun' sequel!!!

Sources connected to production tell TMZ ... Tom is on location in South Lake Tahoe for 2 weeks filming "Top Gun: Maverick." Paramount's been keeping specifics of the sequel under wraps, but we dug up some juicy deets.

We're told Tom's shooting scenes running through the forest. He's also shot some dialogue up in the mountains ... looking down at the local airport, which is just south of the lake.

Tom already shot scenes in San Diego and Nevada, but production in Tahoe sounds way more intense -- with cameras suspended between trees to capture Tom booking it through the woods, and lots of military aircraft are landing at Lake Tahoe Airport for the shoot.

Of course, Maverick doesn't have Goose as his wingman this time around. We're told he's making do with some "physically fit" extras with military backgrounds.

We're told no volleyball scenes ... kinda chilly up there. Bummer.

Deontay Wilder ain't finished with his superstar rise by a long shot ... 'cause now he wants to take Hollywood by storm ... and he's got the PERFECT role in mind to get his career started.

As Clubber Lang's son ... in the next "Creed" movie.

If you don't remember Clubber (shame on you), he was the total BADASS played by Mr. T in "Rocky III" -- and the first guy other than Apollo to put something on Rock's ass.

We got Wilder in NYC, and he told us he DEFINITELY wants to make a serious splash in the film industry and thinks this role could be the one.

"That's what I'm all about, my passion is acting!"

Think about it ... Lang was a big, scary guy who hit like a ton of bricks ... and if you're going to cast another big, scary guy who hits like a ton of bricks, is there anyone better?

FYI -- Wilder says he doesn't look at acting as a side hustle or hobby, telling our guy he wants it to be his full-time career after he hangs up his leather.

We hope that's after another fight with Tyson Fury AND after a huge fight with Anthony Joshua ... but we can only hope.

Shaun Weiss -- best known for playing Goldberg on "The Mighty Ducks" and sadly, this mug shot -- is in trouble again ... just months after announcing he checked into rehab.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the actor was busted in November for allegedly shoplifting more than $200 worth of stuff from an L.A. Rite Aid. We're told he's now facing a petty theft charge and a probation violation.

We broke the story ... Weiss was arrested for public intoxication in August when cops took this rough-looking mug shot. The shocking image prompted friends to plead with him to get help.

Shaun announced he was doing just that days later, saying he'd checked into a long-term rehab center. He admitted that "without immediate treatment my life is in eminent danger." It's unclear when he left the treatment center.

The 'Ducks' star's downward spiral dates back to last year, when he was arrested for possession of meth and also for stealing.

While trying to contact Weiss, one of his friends told us they are "hoping for the best" for him.

9:13 PM PT -- Kevin just announced he will no longer host the show, saying, "I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscar's....this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past."

He continues, "I'm sorry that I hurt people.. I am evolving and want to continue to do so. My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart. Much love & appreciation to the Academy. I hope we can meet again."

Kevin Hart is firing back at critics who think he's unfit to host the Oscars due to old tweets that were extremely homophobic ... and by firing back, we mean he's laying in bed and refusing to apologize.

Kevin says in an Instagram video, the hateful response to his old tweets illustrates just how PC-crazy our world has become ... and he says he's not going to let the haters bring him down.

As Kevin put it -- in a video he shot with his head still on a pillow -- he's approaching 40 and it's stupid for people to think his views haven't evolved. Basically, he's claiming he's more mature than he was when he was gay-bashing on Twitter -- including using the f-word several times.

The Academy announced this week that Kevin would host next year's Oscars, and the backlash began almost immediately.

Count Kevin Kline among the people who was totally fine with Kevin Hart hosting the Oscars, because he thinks it's time to cut him, and all comedians, some slack for jokes from the past.

The Academy Award-winning actor was leaving Michael's restaurant in NYC Thursday when we asked what he thought about KH landing the gig. This was several hours before Hart backed out of hosting -- but KK defended him against the backlash over old, but blatantly homophobic, tweets.

The way Kline sees it, stand-up comics have been mocking all groups -- gays, blacks, Jews and more -- for decades. He admits times are changing now, and comedians are too, but he was willing to give Hart a pass on his past remarks.

As you know, Hart posted a video Thursday, claiming he had evolved since the offending tweets, but did not apologize for them. Hours later he stepped down, saying he didn't want to be a distraction -- and, at that point, he did apologize for his "insensitive words from my past."

BTW ... Kline's stance on jokes from days of old might not be that shocking considering his own "In & Out" role from 1997. Would this scene be kosher today?

Christmas came early for a bunch of lucky Walmart customers ... because Tyler Perry just picked up their tabs.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... the famous actor and filmmaker wrote a couple big checks to 2 Atlanta area Walmarts Thursday, to cover the cost of outstanding layaway items that were registered at the stores as of this morning.

We're told Perry dropped $178k at one store in ATL and another $256k at a nearby store in Douglasville.

All the customers have to do to collect their outstanding items is pay a penny at pickup ... as Tyler just explained in a video about the awesome gesture.

Add this to a laundry list of charitable acts by Tyler in 2018 -- including buying an old friend's mom a house and hooking up Geoffrey Owens with an acting gig -- and it's safe to say he's on the nice list.

Scott Eastwood had a very up close and personal run-in with a couple killer whales while paddle boarding down in Mexico -- and while it's incredible to see ... it's also kinda scary.

Clint Eastwood's son posted a video of himself out in the waters of Baja California Sur, where he says he and a pal stopped for lunch before paddling out to sea after hearing some orcas in the water.

Scott says they thought the wild beasts had disappeared by the time they got out there -- but, apparently, some whale noises and splashing around made 2 orcas circle back ... and, boy, did they get close. Check out the clip -- Scott and co. could've touched 'em if they wanted.

It's a majestic scene for sure, but ya gotta wonder how risky the dip with the whales really was. While orcas aren't known to attack humans ... it's always a possibility they could.