Top Country Albums for the 4/10/2010 issue

Now Last Weeks Peak

1 1 9 1 Need You Now – Lady Antebellum ()

2 2 71 2 The Foundation – Zac Brown Band (/AG)

3 4 72 1 Fearless – Taylor Swift ()

4 5 4 2 Hillbilly Bone (EP) – Blake Shelton (/WMN)

5 3 3 2 Get Off On The Pain – Gary Allan (/UMGN)

6 6 21 1 Play On – Carrie Underwood (/SMN)

7 7 4 4 Easton Corbin – Easton Corbin (/UMGN)

8 8 10 6 Crazy Heart – Soundtrack (/New West)

9 10 7 2 Haywire – Josh Turner (/UMGN)

10 9 4 3 My Best Days – Danny Gokey (/SMN)

Kelly Brook’s “boobs and bikinis” flick ‘irks’ rugby beau

London, Sep 14 (ANI): Kelly Brook’s rugby beau Danny Cipriani is apparently not too happy with her steamy new flick.

According to reports, the England fly half, 21, was annoyed over the web coverage of 29-year-old Kelly’s “boobs and bikinis” movie ‘Piranha’.

“Danny’s a wholesome chap. The bikini scenes are a bit risqué,” The Daily Star quoted a source as saying.

Kelly and Danny have been dating since September 2008.

‘The Italian Job’ actress has earlier dated English actor Jason Statham for seven years and was engaged to actor Billy Zane, whom she met while filming thriller ‘Survival Island’. (ANI)

Obama may cut his Martha’s Vineyard holiday short

Washington, Aug. 28 (ANI): US President Barack Obama and the First Lady, who are holidaying at an island of Martha’s Vineyard, will travel to Boston on Friday evening to attend Senator Edward Kennedy’s funeral.

Obama is scheduled to deliver a eulogy on Saturday morning.

The change in schedule is due to bad weather forecasts. The Obamas want to ensure they can make it off the island of Martha’s Vineyard to Boston ahead of a coming storm.

According to deputy spokesman Bill Burton, tropical Storm Danny which could reach hurricane strength this weekend might cut short the Obamas stay on Martha’s Vineyard.

They plan to return to the Island after the funeral Saturday, if the weather allows, and then leave for Washington as scheduled Sunday. If the storm prevents a return, the Obamas would head to Washington from Boston on Saturday, Politico quoted him, as saying.

While the first family spent the day biking on Martha’s Vineyard on Thursday, Obama had begun work on the eulogy.

“It is something that he obviously takes very seriously. He’s been working on it. He’s obviously got a great team of speechwriters who he works with. This is going to be a very personal statement that he makes on Saturday,” Burton said.

With speculation swirling over who will replace Kennedy, Burton said Obama would not weigh in on the debate. That “isn’t a scale he’s going to put his thumb on,” Burton said.

Obama also doesn’t think the time is right to discuss renaming a health care bill for Kennedy. And Burton suggested that Obama would steer clear of the “win one for Teddy” rallying cry to boost the bill that some supporters have adopted.

Next week, Obama will have a health care event Tuesday and then travel to Camp David on Wednesday ahead of the Labor Day weekend. (ANI)

Slumdog’s ‘Jai Ho’ Trust hires social worker to look after Rubina Ali

Washington, Apr 22 (ANI): Slumdog Millionaire trust has come out to the rescue of the film’s child star Rubina Ali by hiring a social worker to look after her.

The Jai Ho Trust was established with financial support from the filmmakers to ensure the welfare of the movie’s child stars, including Rubina and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail.

The trust has offered to help by hiring a trained social worker to look after the welfare of Rubina – amid allegations that the nine-year-old girl’s father Rafiq tried to sell her for 2,00,000 pounds.

However, Rafiq has denied the claims.

“Both Danny [Boyle, the director] and I remain committed to working the trust and the family to secure Rubina’s long-term best interests,” Usmagazine quoted Slumdog producer Christian Colson as saying.

One of the Jai Ho trustees, Noshir H. Dadrawala, said that “the trust will support Rubina, her parents and responsible authorities to ensure that the rights and best interests of Rubina” are protected.

“The trust is in regular contact with Rubina Ali and her family and has hired a social worker to assist in looking after her welfare and that of her co-star,” he added.

“Danny and I both fully support Mr. Dadrawala’s comments,” said Colson.

The independent trust was set up to ensure that the family of the child stars receive suitable accommodations and a fixed sum of money each month for living expenses.

It also covers the education costs for Rubina and her siblings and provides her with a lump sum of money after she turns 18 years old. (ANI)

Five facts about freed U.S. ship captain

(Reuters) – American ship captain Richard Phillips was rescued by the U.S. Navy on Sunday from the hands of Somali pirates who had held him hostage since trying to hijack his container vessel five days ago in the Indian Ocean.

Following are five facts about the merchant seaman:

* Phillips, aged 53, grew up in Winchester, Massachusetts, where his father coached high school basketball. He lives in Underhill, in rural Vermont.

* Married since 1987 to Andrea Coggio, an emergency room nurse he met in Boston. They have two college-age children, Mariah and Danny.

* Drove a cab in Boston to pay his way through college at the University of Massachusetts and later at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he graduated in 1979.

* Phillips played the saxophone in his high school band, and still plays the instrument from time to time. He listens to the blues. His favorite: blues singer Taj Mahal.

* Plays pickup basketball at the local YMCA, and golfs with a group of retirees. Supports Boston sports teams, particularly the Celtics basketball team.

Source: The New York Times.

(Compiled by World Desk, Washington)

Fan’s Racing Tip A Dead Cert For Family

A family is celebrating a £20,000 win on this year’s Grand National after getting a tip from beyond the grave. Skip related content
Related photos / videos
Fan’s Racing Tip A Dead Cert For Family

Racing fan Danny Shea died from kidney cancer five months ago, but he left his family strict instructions on how to spend the £250 he left them.

As instructed, the Shea family, from Eston in Middlesborough, placed the money on outsider Mon Mome who defied the odds and won the Aintree race at 100-1.

Mr Shea’s wife Pat said she ‘couldn’t believe’ her husband had finally picked a winner.

“He was generally pretty useless at picking winners,” she said.

“He didn’t have much of a clue, though he liked a bet. The best we hoped for was a place.

“I have to say I thought ‘what a waste of money’. But it’s what Danny wanted.”

Mr Shea, who was 66, had worked as an off-shore rigger before being diagnosed with terminal cancer in October 2007.

He knew he would not live to see this year’s National but was convinced that Mon Mome had the talent to defy the odds.

Pat’s brother Pete laid a complicated combination of spread bets with Mr Shea allocating £20 for each punter except Pat who had £60.

Mr Shea’s betting winners were wife Pat, son Martin, daughter Lesley, sisters Pat and Gloria, brother-in-law Pete, and friends Eddie, Freddie, Tommy, Rod and Kelly.

National win from beyond the grave

For one family last weekend’s Grand National was more than just a race – it was the fulfillment of a wish from beyond the grave. Skip related content
Related photos / videos
National win from beyond the grave

Danny Shea, 66, a passionate horse racing fan, died from cancer five months ago.

But knowing he would never see this year’s race he left his family a “tip” and £250 to place the bet.

The Shea family, from Eston in Middlesbrough, scooped £20,000 after carrying out he dying wish and backing 100-1 outsider Mon Mome.

His wife of 40 years, Pat, 63, “couldn’t believe” her husband had managed to pick the winner.

“He was generally pretty useless at picking winners. He didn’t have much of a clue though he liked a bet. The best we hoped for was a place,” she said.

“I have to say I thought ‘what a waste of money’. But it’s what Danny wanted.”

Pat’s brother Pete laid a complicated combination of spread bets with Mr Shea allocating £20 for each punter except Pat who had £60.

Mr Shea’s betting winners were wife Pat, son Martin, daughter Lesley, sisters Pat and Gloria, brother-in-law Pete, and friends Eddie, Freddie, Tommy, Rod and Kelly.

Anil Kapoor donates Slumdog pay cheque to Indian charity

London, Mar 17 (ANI): Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor has donated his salary from Slumdog Millionaire to a children’s charity.

The 49-year-old actor, who played the role of a TV host in the Oscar-winning film, has donated his pay cheque to an Indian children’s charity, called Plan India, which works for underprivileged kids.

Kapoor admits that his humble upbringing has inspired him to donate the money to the organisation.

“I think sometimes you do a film and everyone in this film – not only me – everyone connected to it had such a positive intent when they started. I think that’s the reason for its success,” the Daily Express quoted him as saying.

“Everyone – (director) Danny (Boyle), (producer) Christian (Colson), (writer) Simon (Beaufoy), (cinematographer) Anthony (Mantle) – they didn’t have commerce in mind, they just wanted it to be a good film.

“We wanted as many people to see the film as possible. I feel it’s the good intent of everyone and the children’s good wishes and their families that have made this film what it has become.

“I told Danny, ‘I can identify with (lead character from the slums) Jamal Malik.’ It’s almost the same thing because I started from a very simple background. Not slums exactly, but a 200 square metre cubicle with common bathrooms and I never wore shoes, always bare feet running around,” he added. (ANI)

Danny Boyle bags James Bond flick offer

London, March 3 (ANI): ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ not only turned out to be an Oscar sensation, but has also earned its director Danny Boyle a chance to direct the next James Bond flick.

Bond chief Barbara Broccoli, who currently heads the 007 franchise at EON Productions, is said to be leading the chase for the British filmmaker’s services.

“Danny is the man of the moment and he is being bombarded with offers from studios,” the Sun quoted a source as saying.

“He has been offered the chance to direct the 23rd Bond film by Barbara. The EON team love his vision and think that it would work perfectly for the new look of Bond,” the source added.

In his recent interviews, Danny has said that big budgets are not important to him.

And Bond producers think that Boyle may be the right choice considering the changes in the 007 series since Daniel Craig has joined it.

“Danny has always insisted he is more interested in the film than the money,” the source said.

“However, with Daniel Craig’s involvement and the way the films are now structured – with the emphasis on the characters and plot rather than gags and gadgets – it is right up Danny’s street.

“Everyone on the EON team thinks Danny would be a fantastic addition to the Bond family,” the source added.

Danny, who bagged the Best Director Oscar for ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, has also made films like Shallow Grave, Trainspotting and 28 Days Later. (ANI)

“Slumdog” child actors to get new homes

The two main child actors from “Slumdog Millionaire” are to receive new homes from the authorities after the small-budget movie swept the Oscars, winning eight Academy Awards.

The Mumbai homes will go to Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, who played the young roles of the movie’s central characters, Latika and Salim, in the rags-to-riches romance about a poor Indian boy competing for love and money on a TV game show.

“These two children have brought laurels to the country, and we have been told that they live in slums, which cannot even be classified as housing,” said Gautam Chatterjee, head of the state-run Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority.

The movie, based in Mumbai, took home eight awards from the Oscars including best picture and best director for Britain’s Danny Boyle.

But in the leadup to Sunday’s Oscars, the movie’s success around the globe was overshadowed by objections in India to its name which some Indians find offensive, its depiction of the lives of impoverished Indians, and the treatment of the cast.

There was an outcry after pictures emerged of the child stars living in squalor despite the $15 million movie earning about $100 million since its North American release last November.

But Boyle and producer Christian Colson have flatly rejected claims of exploiting children for the movie.

They said the children were paid above local Indian wages and enrolled in school for the first time with a fund set up to pay for their education, medical emergencies and “basic living costs.”

Fox Searchlight Pictures, the 20th Century Film Fox studio behind the film, paid for visas, travel and accommodation for nine children to fly to Los Angeles for the Oscars.

‘Full-time mom’ Julia Roberts says she’s never bored with family life

London, Feb 18 (ANI): Hollywood actress Julia Roberts has said that she is enjoying her domestic life because her three children keep her so busy, she’s ‘never bored’.

The ‘Pretty Woman’ star spent last year away from the limelight, raising her kids with husband Danny Moder; four year old twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, and Henry, 20 months.

However, the Oscar-winning actress insists that she doesn’t miss life as a high-profile star because she simply doesn’t have time to think about it.

“I will never be bored again. Danny and I talk about, ‘What did we do with all the time we must have had?’ Because you don’t recognise it as such until you have all these little… time thieves running around your house,” the Daily Express quoted her, as telling Allure magazine.

And being a fulltime stay-at-home mum has turned the actress into a domestic goddess with a remedy for all ailments.

“We get a lot of splinters in our house. A (trick for a) splinter is just a good light, a pair of tweezers and a lot of singing songs and passing the time: ‘La-la-la, now listen, if you eat all of your dinner, it’s distraction and extraction,’” she added.

Roberts also revealed the reason behind her family’s happiness.

“The coolest thing you can do for your children is to love each other in their presence. I’m the luckiest girl in town, I really am,” she added. (ANI)

Danny Boyle’s dad weeps watching his Bafta success

London, Feb 10 (ANI): English director Danny Boyle’s father Patrick was so overjoyed to see his son picking awards at the BAFTA, that he cried with joy.

For the proud father, Danny making a special mention of him while picking up seven awards for his movie Slumdog Millionaire left him feeling ecstatic.

“The wiring in my dad’s house blew overnight and it’s a big shout out to everyone who helped him get the extension cable in so he could watch this,” the Mirror quoted Danny as telling the celebrity audience.

Patrick, 88, from Radcliffe, Gtr Manchester, revealed the power actually blew over a week ago.

“It was just a nice way to let me know he was thinking of me,” he stated.

Frank, a retired power station worker, added: “I went to see Slumdog Millionaire in the cinema. I thought it was great, and I suppose after all these awards it must be.” (ANI)

Indian punters bet big on Oscar win for Slumdog

Indian punters bet big on Oscar win for Slumdog New Delhi – Indian gamblers are betting big money on Slumdog Millionaire, the rags-to-riches film set in Mumbai, to win the best picture, best director and best music awards at the upcoming Oscars, a newspaper reported Tuesday.

An estimated 1 billion rupees (20.5 million dollars) was riding on the film in Indian betting circles, The Economic Times said.

The film, which was directed by Briton Danny Boyle and has an Indian cast, has bagged 10 Oscar nominations ahead of the awards presentation February 22 in Los Angeles.

“We are accepting bets for three things – AR Rahman (in the best music category), the movie (in the best picture category) and Danny Boyle (in the best director category),” a Mumbai-based bookmaker told the daily.

Another punter in the western city of Ahmedabad said betting on Slumdog has been gaining momentum after the end Sunday of the one-day cricket series between India and Sri Lanka.

“Bets worth 200 [million] to 300 million rupees [4.12 million to 6.18 million dollars] on Slumdog have been accepted in my circle in the past few days,” he said.

Odds for Slumdog winning best film are being offered at 1.53-1, about the same as on international betting websites. Indian bookies have put Boyle at 1.55-1 odds to win and Rahman at 1.25-1, the Times said.

Organized betting is illegal in India, but several betting rackets are run by criminal syndicates. Other than casino and lottery games in some states, legal gambling is limited to betting on horse racing.

Slumdog Millionaire, which has received rave reviews as well as criticism for glamorizing poverty, is based on Q and A, a book by Indian diplomat and writer Vikas Swarup.

The film tells the story of an orphan from Mumbai’s slums who makes it to the final of an Indian game show.

The film is considered the frontrunner at the Oscars after it already dominated the Golden Globes while also picking up prizes from the Producers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild and Writers Guild of America. (dpa)

‘Slumdog Millionaire’ wins seven Bafta awards

London, Feb 9 (IANS) British filmmaker Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, a rags-to-riches tale of an improbable winner of game show ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’, has picked up seven honours at the British Film Academy Awards (Bafta) 2009.

Boyle’s film won seven trophies, including those for best film, best director and best original music score, the daily Telegraph reported on its website.

A.R. Rahman won the coveted award for best music.

The film also won the awards for cinematography, editing, sound and adapted screenplay.

The film’s story revolves around Jamal Malik, played by Dev Patel, who wins the jackpot on ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, the Hindi version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

The film stars well-known Bollywood actors Anil Kapoor and Irfan Khan.

The 18-year-old star, Dev Patel, was beaten to the best actor prize by Mickey Rourke, whose performance as a washed-up fighter in ‘The Wrestler’ is one of Hollywood’s greatest comebacks.

Patel’s co-star Freida Pinto lost out in the best supporting actress category to Penelope Cruz, who won for her role as a temptress in Woody Allen’s ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’.

Earlier, the film swept the Critics’ Choice Awards in California, winning five prizes, including best film, best director and best composer.

Will Smith to make Bollywood-like movie with Slumdog director

London, Jan 16 (ANI): Hollywood superstar Will Smith has hinted that he is thinking of making a Bollywood-like film with director Danny Boyle, whose credentials include recent hit ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.

While talking to reporters at the premiere of his new thriller Seven Pounds in Leicester Square, the actor said that he had been “looking at a few things” with the British director.

Boyle’s film Slumdog recently won four Golden Globe awards.
The ‘I Am Legend’ has confirmed his interest in a film with Boyle soon after he said he was interested in making a Bollywood movie.

Smith, one of the most bankable actors in the world had even visited the filmmaker twice while he was filming Slumdog in Mumbai last year.

“I am looking at a few things, so hopefully we will make something happen,” The Telegraph quoted Smith, 40, as saying.

He added: “I spoke to Danny a couple of weeks ago, so I suppose we will have to see if anything comes out of it.” (ANI)

AR Rahman wins ‘Best Composer’ gong for ‘Slumdog Millionaire’

Washington, Jan 9 (ANI): AR Rahman has walked away with the Best Music Composer award for Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ at the 14th annual Critics” Choice awards in America.

The movie, which follows the story of the young boy from rags to riches, has walked away with five gongs at the award ceremony, reports Variety.

Director Danny Boyle won Best Director award. Writer Simon Beaufoy, also won an award for the film.

Actor Dev Patel added another trophy to his credit with the young actor/actress award.

Actor Sean Penn walked away with the top award for best actor for his film Milk, while Anne Hathaway for ‘Rachel Getting Married’ and Meryl Streep, for ‘Doubt’ won a combined award for best actress.

Heath Ledger was honoured posthumously for his role as a Joker in “The Dark Knight”.

Kate Winslet won the supporting actress for her role in “The Reader,” and Bruce Springsteen received the song award for “The Wrestler.” (ANI)

Danny Boyle plans trust fund help for poor Mumbai kids who starred in his film

Washington, January 7 (ANI): Mumbai children who featured in the movie Hollywood flick Slumdog Millionaire will be helped by director Danny Boyle work their way out of poverty, as he has plans of handing them a trust fund once they finish school.

The British filmmaker has revealed that he was shocked when he got to know that some of the children had been braving dire situations.

“Rabina (Ali, who plays a young Latika) and Azza (Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, who plays a young Salim) were from very poor backgrounds. One night we heard a rumour that Azza”s house had been demolished. Their house had been cleared; he lives in a slum and occasionally the council just bulldozes them. We sent people to try to find him, and they found him asleep on a car rooftop,” Contactmusic quoted him as saying.

Boyle ensured that the children completed their schooling.

He has also promised to give them a trust fund when they complete their exams, in order to encourage them to continue their studies.

“They”re learning English, and they sent me birthday cards. I started weeping when I opened them,” he said. (ANI)

McFLY’s Danny Jones dumps girlfriend for Miss England

London, Jan 4 (ANI): Danny Jones, the lead singer of McFLY, has reportedly dumped his girlfriend of two years for Miss England.

According to sources, the crooner of the hell-raising band was caught snogging with Laura Coleman after performing at the Miss World pageant in South Africa.

He then admitted about the clinch to his loyal girlfriend Olivia Shaw, before promptly ending their relationship.

Now, Danny is happily dating Laura — and according to sources, he’s smitten.

A pal revealed: “Danny’s a very honest guy. He didn’t want to cheat on Olivia, so as soon as he kissed Laura he realised he had to end the relationship.

“Danny never slept with Laura while he was still with Olivia, they only kissed.”

Dan and Olivia were on the rocks for a while, but despite this, the news did come as a complete blow to Olivia, reports News of the World.

The source added: “She hadn’t seen it coming. Danny has always loved his girl fanbase, but he was so tight with Olivia.

“So it was a real slap in the face when Danny told her he had kissed Miss England. Deciding to end the relationship was a double blow.”

Danny’s first dalliance with Laura took place on December 13 after McFly had performed their hit single Lies at the Miss World final.

The source disclosed: “It happened after the show. There was an instant attraction between Danny and Laura.” (ANI)

Kelly Brook follows beau Danny Cipriani”s gruelling training to get ‘fit’

London, Jan 02 (ANI): Hollywood babe Kelly Brooks is these days busy toning her body, and has asked rugby star beau Danny Cipriani for some hands-on help, it has emerged.

The 29-year-old was so bowled over by Cipriani’s toned body and insatiable appetite for food that she has decided to go his way to achieve an incredible bod, sources said.

Thus, she has embarked on a grueling training and diet regime.

“Danny has an incredible physique and works really hard to maintain it. Watching him go off to the gym every day, Kelly’s been inspired to follow suit and get fit. She also loves how much food he can pack away and reckons if a bit of hard work on the treadmill means she can eat what she likes, then it’s worth it,” The Mirror quoted a source, as saying.

“Danny thinks Kelly’s beautiful as she is but agreed to devise a training programme for her.

“He’s used one similar to that given to the Wasps boys, but obviously she’s lifting far lighter weights – and not doing scrums.

“As well as sprint and interval training, Danny suggested some serious weightlifting work. Squats, deadlifts, pull-ups… the works,” the source added. (ANI)

Will Smith has his sights set on Bollywood

Will Smith has his sights set on BollywoodWashington, Hollywood actor Will Smith is keen on trying his luck in a Bollywood flick and has been taking advice from ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ director Danny Boyle.

Boyle’s latest project has been shot in Indian city Mumbai and the director is convinced that Smith is determined about trying different genre of pictures – because the ‘Independence Day’ star made several trips to visit him onset.

“While we were filming there, Will Smith came over twice. There”s a massive coming together of Bollywood and Hollywood. It”ll only take one person to bring them together and it will be huge,” Contactmusic quoted Boyle, as saying.

Smith also paid a visit to Indian megastar Anil Kapoor.

“Yes, he came to visit us. He came to my residence. Very nice chap,” Kapoor said. (ANI)