UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 01.16.08

Matthew McConaughey to be a dad.

Matthew McConaughey is trying out a new role, as a dad. On his website, the actor says his girlfriend, Brazilian model Camilla Alves is pregnant. She's apparently three months along. The actor says they are both very excited to be parents. McConaughey and Alves met more than a year ago...they've been seen together constantly since then.

Hollywood has lost a young star. Actor Brad Renfro died yesterday at the age of 25. He was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment after spending a night with friends. The cause of death is not yet known but Renfro has a history of drug abuse. The actor is best known for his childhood role in "The Client"...he starred along with Susan Sarandon. Renfro recently finished filming a movie with Billy Bob Thornton and Winona Ryder.

"High School Musical" star Zac Efron is recovering from an appendectomy. His rep tells People magazine he was rushed to the hospital yesterday to get his appendix removed. Efron recently signed on for the third installment of the "High School Musical" series, along with the rest of the original cast.

Kevin Federline is speaking out about his problems with his ex Britney Spears. He tells Interview magazine his struggles with the pop star are really no different than anyone else's. But Federline says the media attention makes their situation unique. He tells the publication he thinks it makes people feel normal to watch the woes of public figures. Federline has been in a heated custody battle with Spears for months now. He currently has sole custody of their sons...Spears has no visitation rights.

A star-studded cast hit the red carpet last night for the L.A. premiere of a new romantic drama. Sarah Michelle Geller and Brendan Fraser star in the film "The Air I Breathe." The two attended the event along with other stars like Andy Garcia. The movie also stars Forest Whitaker and Kevin Bacon. "The Air I Breathe" was first released in Greece last month.

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 01.15.08

"High School Musical" cast signs on for third installment.

The entire "High School Musical" cast is signing on for the third installment. Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman and Lucas Grabeel will all be a part of "High School Musical 3"...this time as a feature film. The past two movies were aired on the Disney Channel. All six actors say they're very excited about the upcoming project. The film is expected to hit theaters next fall.

Eva Longoria is denying pregnancy rumors. The actress says reports that she and NBA star Tony Parker are expecting are completely untrue. The "Desperate Housewives" star admits she's put on a couple pounds during the Writer's Guild strike...from lots of cooking and eating with her free time. The actress does say she and Parker hope to have babies eventually but have no set time frame in mind.

Britney Spears skipped out on a custody hearing yesterday. The pop star apparently arrived at the courtroom, planning to attend but then turned around after she was swarmed by paparazzi. Spears wasn't required to be at the meeting but sources say she was advised by lawyers to attend. Her ex-husband Kevin Federline did attend...the court commissioner ruled in his favor, barring Spears from visiting her kids and leaving Federline with sole custody of their sons.

Justin Timberlake is joining the lineup for this year's highly anticipated super bowl commercials. He'll reportedly star in a Pepsi stuff ad during the big game next month. Timberlake will be performing a variety of stunts in the commercials. The singer will advertise the company's new service that allows consumers to use Pepsi points to get music and apparel.

The comedic horror film "Teeth" made it's way to New York last night. The movie's star Jess Weixler was at the premiere last night. She was joined by director Mitchell Lichenstein, as well as other stars like John Hensley and Julia Garro. "Teeth" first created a stir at last year's Sundance film festival. It's about a teenage girl who becomes a victim to sexual violence.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 01.07.08

Dr. Phil to dedicate show to Britney Spears.

TV therapist Dr. Phil McGraw will apparently dedicate one of his shows this week to Britney Spears. The TV host will devote a show, set to air on Wednesday, focusing on the pop star's problems. McGraw says he went to visit Spears when she was being released from the hospital over the weekend. The singer spent 72 hours on mental lockdown at the facility following a custody dispute at her home. McGraw says after talking to her, it's evident she is in need of serious medical attention.

Actor Jack Black is going to be a dad for the second time. Black tells reporters he and his wife Tanya Haden are expecting another baby. There's no word yet on a due date. The pair, who married in March of 2006, already have a 1 and a half year old son named Samuel Wyatt.

Film Critics are calling "There Will Be Blood" the best film of 2007. The National Society of Film Critics also awarded the movie's star Daniel Day-Lewis best actor at the annual ceremony. Paul Thomas Anderson also grabbed best director for the film. Other honors went to Julie Christie, who took best actress for "Away from her" and best supporting actress went to Cate Blanchett for "I'm Not There."

"National Treasure: Book of Secrets" is holding on to the number one spot at U.S. box offices. The film, starring Nicolas Cage and Diane Kruger, has held the top spot for 3 weeks in a row...this weekend taking in more than 20 million dollars in ticket sales. Will Smith's "I am Legend" grabbed number 2 followed by "Juno" starring Ellen Page. That's all according to Box Office Mojo.

This year's Palm Springs International Film festival brought in some of Hollywood's biggest stars. High School Musical stars Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens attended a gala at the festival over the weekend. Efron and actress Nikki Blonsky were honored with the rising star awards at the event. Bruce Willis also presented producer Jerry Weintraub with the SAG Foundation Award, honoring him for his work in the film industry. Other stars like John Travolta and Oscar winner Halle Berry were also in Palm Springs for the gala.

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 12.06.07

Kiefer Sutherland is behind bars.

Kiefer Sutherland is now spending time behind bars. He reportedly turned himself into jail yesterday in Southern California to serve time for violating his probation in a DUI arrest. He was sentenced to 48 days there and is expected to serve the whole time. The judge also ordered the "24" actor to attend therapy sessions, an alcohol education program and spend 5 years on probation.

Actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers has escaped charges from that incident in the Dublin airport. He was arrested last month after he got into an argument while trying to check into his flight. The "Tudors" actor was facing public drunkenness and breach of peace charges. Rhys Meyers apologized for the confrontation. The actor had previously spent some time in rehab and reports came out days after his arrest that his mother had died.

Josh Groban's new holiday album is continuing to spread cheer among his fans. His new release "Noel" is number one on the Billboard 200 chart for the second week in a row. The Eagles' CD "Long Road Out of Eden" is in the number 2 spot this week. And Alicia Keys' album "As I am" is number 3 this week

Zac Efron is topping the list for "Teen" magazine's 50 hottest Hollywood men. The young star got most of his fame from Disney's "High School Musical." He also co-starred in the big screen hit "Hairspray." Joining Efron on the top of the list are R&B star Chris Brown, who came in second and Efron's "High School Musical" co-star Corbin Bleu in third.

Francis Ford Coppola's new film has made it's way to New York. The mysterious love story "Youth Without Youth" premiered in the big apple last night. Cast members Tim Roth and Alexandra Maria Lara attended last night's event. And of course Coppola himself was there. The film first premiered in Italy in October.