UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 02.05.08

Robert De Niro campaigns for Obama.

Stars are stepping out on the campaign trail to show support for presidential candidates. Robert DeNiro joined Democratic hopeful Barack Obama on stage yesterday at a rally in New Jersey. The actor said Obama has inspired him and is the one person he believes can bring change to the U.S. The Illinois Senator has also had continued support from Oprah Winfrey. Other celebrity endorsements came from Jack Nicholson...he announced his support for Hillary Clinton on a morning radio show yesterday.

Britney Spears' father is staying in control of her wealth for now. A Los Angeles court ruled yesterday to keep Jamie Spears as the conservator of her affairs...which apparently includes her 40 million dollar fortune. Her Dad will hold onto control until the pop star is healthy. This comes after a Spears lawyer argued against the decision. He said the pop star was strongly opposed to the decision, fearing it may cause more tension and estrangement.

Heath Ledger's family is now back home in Australia after an emotional week. The actor's father Kim and other relatives reportedly solemnly walked through an airport in Perth yesterday. Ledger's family was in Los Angeles for several memorial services in honor of the actor. He'll now apparently be buried in a family plot near the family's home. Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment last month. The cause of death is still unknown.

Sean "Diddy" Combs is taking on acting and producing in a new made for TV film. He stars and was the executive producer for "A Raisin in the Sun"...a film version of a 1959 Broadway play. The actor attended the premiere for the new release last night in New York. His co-stars Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald were also at last night's event. "A Raisin in the Sun" will air on ABC February 25.

Amy Winehouse apparently still plans on making an appearance at the Grammy Awards. The singer reportedly took a break from rehab to visit the U.S. Embassy in London...She was accompanied by her father and a nurse from the facility. Her rep says she was looking to get a Visa in order to attend the Award ceremony on Sunday. Winehouse is nominated in six categories. The singer checked into rehab for substance abuse treatment last month.

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.