Movies

Solange Knowles looks like she's getting just as comfortable behind a camera as she already is behind a microphone -- 'cause she was all set to film something in her hometown.

Beyonce's younger sister popped up in Houston Saturday with a whole film crew behind her ... and a camera in hand. Eyewitnesses tell us she made an appearance at the SHAPE Community Center off of Almeda Rd. and Alabama St., where we're told she was chatting up folks inside and discussing different shots she wanted to get.

One eyewitness told us it appeared she was at the helm of either a movie or documentary of some sort ... and was trying to keep it low key.

Solange hasn't announced any new film projects as of late, and nothing official seems to be in production under her IMDb page either. That doesn't mean something isn't in the works though. And besides, she's already got a couple visual projects under her belt.

She put out a behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of her 2016 album, "A Seat at the Table," and also directed SZA's 2017 music video for "The Weekend."

While she hasn't put out much new music since her Grammy-winning record, she has been busy heading up art pieces in L.A. ... and teasing us with a follow-up album that has yet to be released.

R. Lee Ermey, the former Marine who rose to fame by playing the sadistic Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in "Full Metal Jacket," was laid to rest Friday at Arlington National Cemetery.

A former Marine drill instructor turned successful actor, Ermey, had his cremated remains buried with full military honors. There was a casket team, firing party and bugler, plus a folding and presentation of the American flag.

Ermey's military honor comes 9 months after his death last April from pneumonia. He was 74.

The actor enlisted in the Marine Corp when he was 17 years old, and he served in Okinawa and in Vietnam.

Ermey gained worldwide fame following his role in Stanley Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket" in 1987, delivering his famous line, "What is your major malfunction?!" Ermey said he used his experience as a drill instructor to bring his character to life.

The blistering Michael Jackson documentary premiering at Sundance will also feature angry pro-Jackson protesters, and we've learned local police are gearing up for possible confrontations.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the Park City PD is aware of an anti-documentary protest being organized on social media, so cops are going to beef up their presence both inside and outside the premiere with uniformed and undercover officers.

We're told law enforcement is most concerned about disruptions taking place during the Q&A portion of the screening -- historically, that's when protesters have caused the biggest disturbances. However, we're told cops won't stop people from exercising their First Amendment rights, so long as protesters don't block sidewalks or entrances.

As you know ... the doc, "Leaving Neverland," explores alleged sexual abuse by the King of Pop, and the film is already being slammed by the late singer's estate. Despite outside pressure to pull the film, Sundance officials say it's full steam ahead.

All Sundance events have increased security -- including bag checks and bomb dogs -- but extra resources will be allocated to the MJ screening when it premieres Friday, Jan. 25.

Michael Jackson's rolling over in his grave, just to get stabbed in the back by HBO -- the producers of the controversial documentary, "Leaving Neverland" -- that's his estate's take, anyway.

The estate's made no secret of its feelings about the documentary featuring 2 of MJ's alleged molestation victims -- and Wednesday night it took a shot on Twitter, posting an old promo for a Michael concert that aired on HBO.

The 1992 concert -- Michael's first to air on TV -- "gave HBO their highest rated special ever" ... according to the estate, which added ... "Now, to repay him they give a voice to admitted liars."

'Neverland' is set to premiere next week at the Sundance Film Festival, and will air on HBO after that.

It's interesting the estate thinks a network -- which, no doubt, paid Jackson to air his concert -- is somehow beholden to him more than 25 years later.

That's just not how showbiz works. Facts.

Cops in Park City -- site of the annual Sundance Film Festival -- will be utilizing a hotline to combat sexual assault again this year ... after it was established in 2018 in the wake of allegations against Harvey Weinstein.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Park City PD and the Utah Attorney General's Office are reopening the "code of conduct" hotline, and spreading the word for festival attendees to utilize it and report any signs of sexual misconduct.

We're told the AG's Office is staffing the phone lines while cops will handle any investigations. Park City officers also held a meeting with hotel managers and event security staff last week to go over proper protocols and reinforce their motto -- "if you see something, say something."

Our sources say flyers will also be put up around busy Sundance spots to promote the hotline and the importance of reporting sexual assault and other crimes during the film fest.

The hotline was launched during last year's festival in wake of the Weinstein scandal, which included Rose McGowan accusing the film producer of raping her at Sundance in 1997. Weinstein was also sued in December by a woman claiming he sexually assaulted her at the Waldorf Astoria in Park City in 2013 after meeting her at Sundance.

We're told the hotline was deemed a successful and effective tool in curbing incidents of sexual misconduct last year. It also reportedly led to an investigation of an alleged incident from the '90s.

Dave Chappelle was noncommittal on his feelings about some old skits that mocked some shocking behavior by R. Kelly.

We got the comic in WeHo Tuesday night leaving Craig's, and asked about his sketches from "Chappelle's Show" where he created a music video -- titled "Piss on You" -- mocking the real video of R. Kelly urinating on what appears to be a teenage girl.

Dave also did a comedy sketch on the jury selection process in the criminal trial, and used R. Kelly's scandal as material for years.

Dave said he didn't have a vivid memory of the sketches and needed a relook.

Our photog also asked if he had regrets over not participating in "Surviving R. Kelly." The show's EP, Dream Hampton, claimed Chappelle was among a number of celebs who turned down interviews.

Sylvester Stallone has murderer's regret -- admitting he feels TERRIBLE for killing off Apollo Creed in "Rocky IV" way back in 1985.

Of course, Stallone didn't just play Rocky Balboa -- he wrote the first 6 installments of the "Rocky" franchise -- including the scene in "Rocky IV" when Ivan Drago beat Creed to death in an exhibition match.

Now, while celebrating Carl Weathers' 71st birthday this week -- Sly expressed remorse for ending Apollo's life when there was so much more 'Rocky' money to be made!

"I have to admit I regret having Apollo passing away so soon," Stallone wrote ... "He was Irreplaceable."

He added, "Besides being a great actor he is the BEST cinema boxer of ALL TIME ! Truly amazing , GRACE , POWER , and UNBELIEVABLY FAST!!!!! Never ever to be duplicated! Thank you my friend, never could have done it without you!!!"

There were rumblings that Weathers was upset he wasn't included in the "Creed" movies -- and back in 2015, he gave TMZ the ol' "no comment" when we brought up the alleged issues.

But now, it seems the two are on good terms -- Weathers ended up attending the "Creed" premiere and has praised the movie publicly.

By the way, Stallone reportedly wanted to work in an Apollo cameo in "Creed 2" -- where Adonis Creed would see visions of his father while being hospitalized after a fight ... but he was ultimately overruled by the director.

Forget the #10YearChallenge -- 'Bad Boys' Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are showing off more than 2 decades later ... in these shots from the third installment of the film franchise.

Will and Martin -- aka Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett -- got the action going Monday in Atlanta, reprising their roles as the cool, wise-cracking Miami cops for the latest sequel, "Bad Boys for Life."

As you know ... the first movie was released in 1995, "Bad Boys II" followed in 2003, and now -- 25 years later -- 'BB4L' is set to hit theaters in January 2020.

Both stars are now in their 50s, but judging by these pics -- including Lawrence with a bloody bandage on his head -- they're still fully capable of cranking it up and getting bad when the director yells action.

This probably goes without saying but, just in case ...

A 60-year-old clipping of Marilyn Monroe's hair is up for grabs, and as an added bonus ... it comes with a sexy glamour shot of the blonde bombshell.

The lock of hair -- approximately 35 strands worth -- is from the collection of Kenneth Battelle, who served as the icon's hairdresser from 1958 until her death in 1962.

Monroe's mane comes in a specially designed glass frame, along with a framed photo of her. It's all presented in a flat paper box with Battelle's customized calling card under the lid ... which he dated June 14, 1959.

We're told the hairdresser had several of these pieces featuring Marilyn's hair made as gifts for his closest friends.

Alex Honnold is f-ing incredible ... the guy who completed the first free solo climb of El Capitan is humble and almost nonchalant about his superhuman feat.

We got Alex at AMC Empire 25 Saturday night in NYC and asked about his historic climb in June 2017 ... now the subject of "Free Solo," a National Geographic documentary.

He says the 3,000-foot climb, on the mountain called the epicenter of the rock-climbing world, was not particularly scary ... meaning he really didn't think about death.

He made the 3-hour, 56-minute climb without any rope or other preventative measure that would break a certain death fall.

People have called the accomplishment the moon landing of free soloing.

Alex, who says he's going back to what he knows -- climbing -- seemed overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the Big Apple.

Justin Timberlake needs to check his "Happy Gilmore" impressions at the door the next time he decides to take some cuts at Topgolf, because the company says they just might tattle on JT if he keeps breaking their rules.

If you've ever been to Topgolf -- and if you haven't, get on it STAT -- you know they really frown on anyone channeling Adam Sandler's famous character in their super fun driving range. But, Justin was a bad boy last weekend and broke their safety code with a textbook windup swing.

Topgolf tells us they're quite aware of Justin's rule-breaking ways, and they're issuing him a hilarious warning ... saying, "we aren't necessarily mad, we're just disappointed in him. We'll try to reach out to his reps, BUT we may just have to call his mom."

Fact is, the "Happy Gilmore" is a well-known violation -- it's even on the waiver you sign before starting the game -- so the company and social media went crazy after Justin posted video from his awesome time at the Topgolf in Charlotte, N.C. during a stop for his Man Of The Woods tour.

Still, it's pretty hard to be mad at JT ... and if you ask us, he totally nailed Sandler's famous swing.

We're told Justin LOVES Topgolf and frequents their locations across the country, so it's gonna be interesting to see if he pulls this stunt again.

Tom Sizemore's new year is going a lot like previous ones -- he landed in jail for a drug bust ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us Burbank PD pulled over the actor because his Mercedes E350 was missing a front license plate and had expired registration tags. During the stop on Jan. 5, officers ended up searching Sizemore's whip, and we're told they found drugs they believed were meth and heroin.

Cops ended up arresting Sizemore and a male passenger for misdemeanor possession -- so, it clearly wasn't a huge stash of drugs, but a little's enough to end up in handcuffs.

Both men posted bail and were released later in the day. The case is currently being reviewed by the city attorney's office.

John Amos is craving the opportunity to work with Eddie Murphy once again on the upcoming "Coming to America 2" ... and he's got a delicious reason why he should reprise his role as Prince Akeem's boss.

We spoke to John, who plays McDowell's owner Cleo McDowell in the OG film, after news broke Friday that Craig Brewer is coming on board to direct the sequel ... and John gives us his pitch for why he belongs in the reboot. Disclaimer: you might get hungry after listening to John's wild ideas.

It's interesting ... John tells us he hasn't been formally contacted to come back for seconds, even though Paramount Pictures is reportedly intent on bringing back the original cast, which includes Shari Headley, Arsenio Hall and James Earl Jones.

3:29 PM PT -- The Rock just set the record straight by categorically denying the so-called interview with the Daily Star EVER HAPPENED. He's adamant -- the article was "100 percent fabricated." He goes on to say trashing a group, community or generation is not his style. He says, "I always encourage empathy, I encourage growth, but most importantly I encourage everybody to be exactly who they want to be."

Watch ... he also encourages everyone to get on board with "the Tequila Generation."

Excuse us while we hop on board.

Originally Published -- 7:50 AM PST

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's got a big problem with people who have problems with everything, because he thinks they're crapping on the freedom of speech.

The Rock says there are way too many people in this generation who are looking for reasons to be offended, and they can't handle simple disagreements. According to England's Daily Star, he says, "I don’t have to agree with what somebody thinks, who they vote for, what they voted for, what they think, but I will back their right to say or believe it."

Johnson believes that's the beauty of democracy, adding ... "So many good people fought for freedom and equality - but this generation are looking for a reason to be offended."

The Rock concedes it's a good thing today's society is much more tolerant, accepting and progressive, but believes the whining ways of "generation snowflake or, whatever you want to call them, are actually putting us backwards.”

It's interesting, because the mega movie star doesn't mention any specific examples, but you have to wonder if the recent Oscars fiasco with his buddy, Kevin Hart, fueled his rant.

And, we gotta ask ...

Whoopi Goldberg's sweet baby boy is getting hitched to his longtime love, and there won't be a dry nose in the house ... because we're talking about an adorable dog wedding here.

"The View" co-host announced her granddog -- her daughter Alex Martin-Dean's pup, Filmore -- is engaged to a fellow French Bulldog and celebrity Instagram doggo named Izzy Hendrix (aka Izzy the Frenchie) ... and TMZ has all the deets on the upcoming puptials.

The owner of the dog-bride-to-be, Rick Hendrix, tells us ... he met Whoopi when he was working with Hillary Clinton and they teamed up on her campaign, and they've been friends ever since. He says as close as he and Whoopi are, though ... their dogs are even closer.

We're told they were hanging out over the holidays when the idea of marrying Filmore and Izzy came up ... and it quickly developed into reality. It helps that Izzy already has a stylist that used to work for Dior though.

Rick tells us this stylist has already designed Izzy's dress, and Filmore will be getting a tux for the big day from a designer in Ukraine. The wedding will be held at a private venue in NYC with a reception to follow at Whoopi's pad.

There's more -- celeb photog Timothy White will be on hand to snap pics, and the cake's coming from famed baker Juanita Lane of Dulce Desserts. We're told family and close friends will be in attendance ... and, of course, some canine friends.

BTW -- Izzy's been featured in Vogue, Paper Magazine and was on People's List of top pets.

No word if there will be a pupper prenup.