UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 01.25.08

Amy Winehouse check into rehab.

Amy Winehouse is spending time in rehab. Her record label says she checked into a treatment facility earlier this week to get help with her drug addiction. The singer has been making headlines recently after a British newspaper posted a video of her allegedly smoking crack. Her label says she hopes to make an appearance at the Grammy Awards next month. She's nominated in six categories.

Heath Ledger and actress Mary-Kate Olsen apparently had a close relationship before he died. One source tells People magazine the two had been dating casually about 3 months before his death. The masseuse who discovered Ledger's body reportedly used the actor's cell phone to call Olsen, knowing the two were close. Police say she called Olsen a total of four times...three of those calls were made before authorities were notified.

John Travolta is being recognized for his involvement in flying. The actor and pilot was honored at the "Living Legends of Aviation" last night in Beverly Hills. Travolta received the Ambassador of Aviation award. He was joined by other legends like Emily Howell-Warner...the first female airline pilot. Also at the event...Barrington Irving who is the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world. Former Astronaut Buzz Aldrin and his wife Lois were at the ceremony as well.

Scarlett Johansson is preparing to release her first album. The actress' debut CD "Anywhere I Lay My Head" will hit the shelves on May 20. Last spring Johansson reportedly spent a few weeks recording several covers of Tom Waits songs as well as one original track for the album. The actress sang on screen in the film "Lost in translation" and also appeared on stage at the Coachella music festival last spring.

Comedian Jimmy Fallon premiered his new film at the Sundance Film Festival yesterday. He stars alongside Tom Arnold in the comedy "The Year of Getting to Know Us." Other cast members like Illeana Douglas and Sharon Stone attended the premiere as well. The film is about a man who reunites with his estranged father. There's now word on when it will be released.

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 01.22.08

Oscar nominees announced.

Oscar nominations are in. Nominees were announced this morning in Los Angeles. Up for best actress are Julie Christie for "Away From Her," Marion Cotillard for "La Vie En Rose," Ellen Page for "Juno," Cate Blanchett for her role in "Elizabeth: the Golden Age," and Laura Linney for "Savages." In the Best Actor Category Daniel Day-Lewis grabbed a nod for "There Will be Blood," George Clooney is nominated for "Michael Clayton," Johnny Depp for "Sweeney Todd," Tommy Lee Jones for "In the Valley of Elah," and Viggo Mortenson for "Eastern Promises."And rivaling for best picture are "Atonement,""Micahel Clayton," "Juno", "No Country For Old Men," and "There Will be Blood."

In other news, Kiefer Sutherland is now a free man. The "24" star was released from jail yesterday after 48 days there. He was serving time for a second driving under the influence conviction and violating his probation. He was apparently greeted by a swarm of media when he left the California facility. Sources say he looked very happy to be out.

Britney Spears made an appearance at a custody deposition yesterday. She drove to her ex Kevin Federline's attorney's office to attend the session, although apparently arrived late. The singer was reportedly cross examined for more than 2 hours. It's all part of the ongoing custody battle for their two sons two year old Sean Preston and one year old Jayden James. Spears has missed several other appointments to discuss her parenting skills.

John Travolta is backing his buddy Tom Cruise. Travolta says the media attention focused on Cruise lately has gone too far. The "Mission Impossible" star has made the headlines recently after a video was released on the internet, showing Cruise praising the Church of Scientology. Travolta, who also follows Scientology, tells people magazine everyone has a right to practice what they want.

Stars are out in full force at the Sundance Film Festival. Paris Hilton was spotted at the festival, in the middle of all the action as well as director Quentin Tarantino. Sarah Jessica Parker brought her husband Matthew Broderick to the premiere of her film "Smart People." Dennis Quaid, who also stars in the film was at the event with his wife Kimberly. Other stars like Jack Black and musician Mos Def attended the premiere of their film "Be Kind Rewind" along with actor Danny Glover.

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 01.18.08

Sundance kicks off in Utah.

The Sundance Film Festival is now in full force in Park City, Utah. Stars, film executives and fans are flooding into the snowy city to catch all the action. The event is 11 days of movie screenings and parties...It's dedicated to recognizing independent films. Actor and Director Robert Redford founded the film festival more than 20 years ago. Now his daughter Amy is making her directorial debit at the event. She will premiere her film "The Guitar" later this week.

To kick off the festival last night, Colin Farrell's new film hit the big screen. Farrell, along with other cast member Brendan Gleeson attended the world premiere of "In Bruges." The movie, directed by Martin McDonaugh is about two hit men exiled to Bruges, Belgium. It's expected for a release in Iceland in March.

Actor Daniel Baldwin is enjoying time with his new baby girl. He and his wife Joanne Smith-Baldwin welcomed the new addition yesterday morning. Her name is Avis Anne Baldwin. The actor tells people magazine they feel very blessed. The pair met last year while Baldwin was attending drug and alcohol treatment at a center in Malibu...she was apparently the chef at the facility. The actor has 3 other children from previous relationships.

Four paparazzi members have been arrested for allegedly chasing Britney Spears. The photographers were taken into police custody Wednesday night for reckless driving. They were in four separate cars and were allegedly trying to get photos of the pop star. In the process they were apparently speeding, trailing her too closely and making unsafe lane changes.

Actor Kiefer Sutherland is preparing to leave jail. The "24" star is expected to leave the California facility on Monday after 48 days behind bars. The sentence stems from a second drunk driving charge which violated his probation from the previous conviction. Sutherland apparently spent his birthday and the holidays locked up...keeping mostly to himself during the time.