Review: Bella mopes through pretentious `New Moon' 
Where would Hollywood be without that old standby, the vampire-werewolf-schoolgirl love triangle?
As every Stephenie Meyer fan knows, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" is the one where studly vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) dumps his human girlfriend, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), for her own safety, and she turns to old chum Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) for solace, unaware that he's a werewolf, and therefore Edward's sworn enemy from way back.
What fans are about to find out is that critics, present company included, don't care much for this adaptation of the second in Meyer's "Twilight" series. And those fans won't give a fig what these critics have to say about their beloved Bella and her beastie boy toys.
A Daytime Network Franchise Bets on Her Future With Cable
Oprah Winfrey is giving network television one of her trademark aha moments.
Ms. Winfrey, the billionaire queen of daytime television, is planning to announce on Friday that she will step down from her daily pulpit, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” in two years in order to concentrate on the forthcoming cable channel that will bear her name.
“The sun will set on the Oprah show as its 25th season draws to a close on Sept. 9, 2011,” Tim Bennett, the president of Ms. Winfrey’s production company, Harpo, said in a letter to her 214 local TV stations on Thursday evening. She will appear on her cable channel, called OWN: the Oprah Winfrey Network, in some form. But “The Oprah Winfrey Show” will no longer be.
'Twilight,' the love that dare not speak its shame
We know. You hate "Twilight." You don't want to hear anything more about "Twilight." That's why this is not another story about the "Twilight" or "New Moon" mania, nor will it rhapsodize on the vampire craze, nor does it contain any interviews with Robert Pattinson.
This is a story about shame.
All across the country, there were women who managed to avoid Stephenie Meyer's series about a star-crossed human/vampire teen couple. (Vampire Edward lusts for mortal Bella, but also for her blood; the books are less plot than endless yearning). They resisted the first three books -- refused to read them, didn't know they existed -- and the lunacy that was "Breaking Dawn."
Johnny Depp earns second "sexiest man" title
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Johnny Depp was named People magazine's "sexiest man alive" for a second time on Wednesday, joining an elite club of double honorees that includes George Clooney and Brad Pitt.
People magazine described the swashbuckling "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie star as "the king of cool with the killer cheekbones". Depp, who also took the title in 2003, succeeded 2008 winner Hugh Jackman.
Asked why Depp, 46, had won a second time, People senior editor Kate Coyne told the CBS Early Show: "He was sexy ten years ago, he'll be sexy ten years from now. He appeals to multiple generations of women -- and for many different reasons to different kinds of women."
Johnny Depp named People's "sexiest man alive"
NEW YORK (Reuters) - "Pirates of the Caribbean" star Johnny Depp was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" on Wednesday, reclaiming a title he first won in 2003.
Depp, whom People described as "the king of cool with the killer cheekbones," succeeded 2008 winner Hugh Jackman. Other stars who have received the honor twice include George Clooney and Brad Pitt.
"Whether it's onscreen in roles like Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise or at home with his family on their private Bahamian island, the 46-year-old father of two with 25 years in show business still reigns as Hollywood's most irresistible iconoclast," People said in a statement.
"New Moon" star Kristen Stewart says "be extreme"
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - In "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," lovelorn character Bella Swan gets dumped by her vampire man, sinks into depression and later flies to Italy to pursue him. While that may sound too extreme, actress Kristen Stewart thinks Bella is setting a good example to girls.
"New Moon" debuts in theaters on Friday, and the sequel to last year's "Twilight" is expected to have an opening weekend as extreme as its storyline, judging by early interest.
It is the top advance ticket seller of all time for online outlet Fandango.com, and by Tuesday afternoon, MovieTickets.com was reporting nearly 2200 sold-out shows.
Thousands cheer stars of 'Twilight' sequel in LA
LOS ANGELES — Exactly 12 months ago, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson were surprised to be greeted by throngs of eager fans of the novel "Twilight" at the premiere of the big-screen adaptation.
What a difference a year makes.
The actors unveiled the sequel — "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" — at the same location Monday night in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. But this time they knew what was coming.
Doctor in Jackson case avoids jail in support case
LAS VEGAS — The physician being investigated in Michael Jackson's death has reached an agreement in a separate child support case that will keep him out of jail.
Prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for Dr. Conrad Murray after he failed to appear for previous hearings in the case. He is accused of owing more than $14,000 to a woman and her son.
With Murray in court Monday, his lawyer, Christopher Aaron, paid $700 cash and promised to pay $303 more as part of the deal approved by Clark County District Court Judge Gerald Hardcastle.
Disaster film "2012" strikes worldwide box office
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Moviegoers worldwide welcomed the apocalypse a little early as the disaster movie "2012" swept through theaters during the weekend with one of the best openings of the year.
The latest end-of-days picture from "Independence Day" director Roland Emmerich sold $225 million worth of tickets globally, distributor Columbia Pictures said on Sunday.
The contribution from the United States and Canada was $65 million, at the upper end of industry forecasts of $55 million to $65 million. The international tally of $160 million was derived from 105 territories.
'2012' has worldwide box-office bang of $225M
LOS ANGELES — Doom spelled dollars at the box office as the global-disaster tale "2012" opened at No. 1 domestically with $65 million and pulled in $225 million worldwide.
The Sony Pictures action saga tells the story of a scramble to save remnants of humanity aboard giant arks as the earth's crust shifts and flood waters pour over most of the planet. With a cast led by John Cusack, Danny Glover and Chiwetel Ejiofor, "2012" was directed by doomsday specialist Roland Emmerich ("Independence Day," "The Day After Tomorrow").
Overseas, "2012" did $17.2 million in France, $15.3 million in Russia, $9.9 million in South Korea and $8.1 million in Spain.
