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`Spider-Man 2' to be to released in digital format for IMAX (Go To Top)

         Washington: 'Spider-Man 2' is now set for a bigger release on July 23, in a digitally re-mastered format for IMAX theatres. "When you have a movie like 'Spider-Man 2,' it makes sense to offer audiences an opportunity to experience the film in this incredible format," Zap2it quoted Jeff Blake, Vice Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, as saying. The comic-book inspired sequel ever since its release on June 30 has broken numerous box-office records, including the best opening day, best Wednesday opening and best first six days.

Beckhams replaced by performing seals on The Jay Leno Show  (Go To Top)

         London: Football icon David Beckham and his spouse Victoria were replaced by performing seals when they did not turn up for the popular 'Jay Leno Show' on American TV. According to the 'Evening Standard' David and Victoria gave up a joint interview on the Jay Leno Show and preferred to remain on holiday in Marrakesh, Morocco. Therefore, network chiefs quickly issued a new schedule and replaced the famous couple with seals from the SeaWorld theme park. Meanwhile, Beckham's close friends have revealed that David is still upset by the criticism of his performance in Euro 2004 after he missed two crucial penalties. David and Victoria, however, are desperate to enter into the American market with a bang. America is one of the few parts of the world where they are not a household name.

Jemima Khan hits the party circuit with Hugh Grant (Go To Top)

          London: Jemima Khan apparently has the ability to bounce back, her recent split from cricketer husband Imran Khan notwithstanding. According to The Daily Mail, the 30-year old British heiress is back on the social circuit with a bang. She was recently spotted along with old flame Hugh Grant at Sir David Frost's garden party, although they arrived separately. "It's tough for her because she's been married for nine years, so she's not been on the social scene. She now wants to just enjoy the single life for a while and meet people. No doubt she'll be linked to every man she speaks to," an insider was quoted by The Mirror as saying. The duo made news they were spotted together a week before her divorce with Imran at the high society club Annabel's, and hurriedly left the scene fearing that they might get snapped.

Pak women opt for Internet `Swayamvar' (Go To Top)

          Washington: Women in Pakistan are trying to revive Swayamvar, the ancient practice of selecting their mate from a host of prospective grooms, but with a difference. And the Internet is emerging as a viable and tangible medium for this form of groom search. Quoting the Los Angeles Times, the Daily Times reports that one of the popular matrimonial sites being used in Pakistan is www.mehndi.com. Citing an example, the report said that one Amber Khan (23), a fashion student from Lahore, said: "Everyone has the right to choose their own life partner. They can choose, they can select, they can communicate with them - they can even meet them before they're married." However, the report cautions that the scene in Pakistan is "a long way from the freewheeling romantic marketplace of the Western world, as the countrymen try to adapt new resources to their customs". Locals apparently have'nt taken to kindly to what they term an erosion of the centuries-old system of arranged marriages by the hype created by the new media age that promotes Western-style relationships. Online streaming video is, however, seen as fun by people like Mariam Alam. The paper quoted the 21-year-old Islamabad teacher as saying that she cruises Internet chat rooms and has arranged dates with numerous men - "I've lost count," she adds.

A spray to boost the female libido (Go To Top)

         Sydney: Women with low libido might soon be able to enhance their sexual appetite by simply using a spray. According to News.com, the transdermal spray, being developed by a Melbourne-based drug company, Acrux, needs to be applied to an area of skin on the torso or arm to treat low testosterone in women. The spray which is in its trial stages, is made up of testosterone, alcohol and an absorption enhancer, and becomes invisible almost as soon as it is applied. Acrux CEO Igor Gonda has said he is confident about the success of the spray and it would be available in the Australian and New Zealand markets within three years.

Cameron Diaz's topless video now on the Internet (Go To Top)

          New York: Actress Cameron Diaz's steamy video is now up on the Internet. The porn video and photos were shot by John Rutter in 1992 when Hollywood's highest-paid actress was a model. According to an online press release, Rutter had sold the video to a Carribean- based firm named Scandal-Inc.com According to The New York Post, the video which also featured two other models, was originally meant to be a part of Diaz's portfolio, but it was never released. The video had topless shots of the actress and also showed her "walking" a leather-masked male model on a leash. Last year, Rutter had offered the "Charlie's Angels" star 3.3 million dollars to keep the photos under wraps. If she refused, he would sell it to an ad agency for five million dollars. The actress charged him with extortion where Rutter was convicted and later released on 250,000 dollar bail. Rutter then filed a counter suit for breach of contract and fraud. According to the star's spokesperson, last year's court injunction "prohibits anyone from selling, licensing, syndicating, distributing, publishing, broadcasting, disseminating, displaying or commercially exploiting the photos and video shot by John Rutter in 1992. There are already criminal proceedings pending against Rutter. A cease and desist letter has been sent to the web site."

Tombstones play messages from the departed (Go To Top)

         London: Robert Barrows, an American, has come up with the idea of tombstones fitted with video screens to relay messages from beyond the grave. According to New scientist, the computerised headstones would contain flat screens on which video recordings from departed loved-ones could be played. Barrows has filed a patent application for the idea, which would allow the deceased to tell their life stories or confess guilty secrets. He also said that a parting video could be made at the same time as a will and left with a lawyer. The tombstones would draw electricity from a cemetery lighting system, and visitors can listen to the voices of their departed dear ones through wireless headphones to avoid a grave soundtrack clash with its neighbour. Besides, a range of tombstones would also be available and the standard stone could be graced with a small LCD TV, while a more expensive tombstone might be equipped with a high-definition plasma screen.

Read about the 35 flaws in Spider-Man 2 (Go To Top)

         London: It might be the webmaster's most awaited movie of the year, but Spiderman 2 has 35 technical and other mistakes. Some of the more obvious ones according to Movie Mistakes.com are: When Spider-Man shoots a web upwards as he lowers Mary Jane on the crane but there's nothing taller than the crane anywhere nearby and hence nothing for the web to attach to. -After Peter is unmasked in Harry's apartment, he asks Harry to tell him where to find Octavius. But nowhere in the movie does Octavius tell Harry where he is building the fusion reactor. Nevertheless, the next scene has Peter in Octavius' lab, implying that Harry was able to tell him where it was. -In the diner, Doc Ock asks Peter to tell Spider-Man to meet him at 3:00 at the West Tower, so it is between 3-3:30 when Ock captures Spider-Man on the train. However, he doesn't deliver him to Harry until night. -Peter is told to deliver pizzas over 42 blocks in 8 minutes which is enough distance to go from one end of New York to another. The pizza place's guarantee was 29 minutes or free and no company would be able to do that. Also, there are a million pizza stores in New York so why would someone order one from so far away and what kind of pizza store would take that order and guarantee it? -During the train scene, Spiderman's mask had gone partially black but when Doc brings him to Harry there's not even a patch of darkness.

Plane aborts take-off after being swarmed by bees (Go To Top)

          London: A plane had to abort its take-off when a swarm of bees settled on one of its wings. According to The Mirror, passengers on Loganair airlines had to board a replacement plane, while about 3,000 of the insects were removed from the 18-seat Twin Otter. "The theory is the queen had left its nest and had been followed by her subjects," said a Loganair spokesman. Airline worker Andy McLaren came to the rescue by calling in his beekeeper father, Ian, who said, "A wing tip is the most unusual place I have taken bees from." The bees have now been settled in McLaren's apiary in Erskine, Glasgow. "They're producing a new colony. The queen will be laying her eggs shortly," the report quoted Ian as saying.

Britney took just 14 days to say `yes' to Kevin Federline (Go To Top)

          Washington: Pop star Britney Spears kept her dancer beau Kevin Federline waiting anxiously for 14 days before saying yes to his marriage proposal. The `Oops I Did It Again' star was reportedly eager to seek her mother Lynne's advice on Federline's proposal rather than rushing off to walk the aisle with him. "She told Britney to think about her reputation. Lynne said she would only give her full support if Britney waited until the end of the year to accept. Britney agreed to get her mum off her back," rate the music quoted a source as saying.