The Curious Case of Benjamin Button review

Review in a Hurry: So Brad Pitt keeps getting younger, Cate Blanchett keeps getting older. You know, exactly the opposite of what happens in real life.

The Bigger Picture: As curiosities go, it's the pedigree of Benjamin Button that has the most quirk: an F. Scott Fitzgerald oddity about a man born old and aging young, brought to the big screen by David Fincher (Se7en, Zodiac). Fincher is a fine director and technician, but whimsy has never been in his bailiwick.

Perhaps he's growing into it. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button—scripted by Eric Roth, who also did Forrest Gump, though thankfully this is much less cloying—follows the whole of the charmed life of Benjamin (Pitt), from his early years in New Orleans (in a nursing home, natch), to his adventuresome coming-of-age, to his star-crossed relationship with childhood sweetheart Daisy (Blanchett).

The story is replete with thoughtful detail and keen observation, and the actors know exactly how much and how little to take seriously in order to keep the fantasy alive.

And while the inevitability of death and the infirmities of both youth and age might not seem a holiday classic in the making, Benjamin Button has one more strange trick up its sleeve: It'll take two and a half hours of your life and still make you feel younger.

The 180—a Second Opinion: Pitt, in some bizarro Dorian Gray inversion, somehow becomes less convincing as a performer as he approaches his real age, which makes the latter half of Benjamin Button a little unbalancing.

Twilight Was Bigger than Dark Knight?!

With a $167.3 million overall domestic take as Sunday, per Box Office Mojo, Twilight made more than four times its reported $37 million production budget—the best rate of return on any film in the 2008 Top 10, including The Dark Knight.

The Batman epic was a pretty good investment, too, very nearly tripling its gargantuan $185 million budget with a $530.8 million domestic take, Hollywood's second-biggest ever.

Still, The Dark Knight was nothing compared to these off-the-charts performers: High School Musical 3: Senior Year ($89.7 million), which grossed about eight times its $11 million budget; the Hannah Montana concert movie, which made about nine times its $7 million budget; and Cameron's Fireproof, which cost $500,000 to produce, and made $33.1 million—or, more than 60 times its budget.

Other winners—and losers—of the box-office year that was, per stats from Box Office Mojo and The-Numbers.com:

Madonna, Guy: Mega Divorce Settlement "Inaccurate"

The former fun couple have issued a joint statement attempting to play down the exorbitant figures, announced via email by her longtime publicist Liz Rosenberg to E! News and other media outlets Monday. Per Rosenberg, Madonna had agreed to pay Ritchie somewhere between $76 million and $92 million to make their marriage go away.

While the exes say they are satisfied with the arrangement, which puts an end to any bickering over money, they labeled the initial quote "inaccurate."

"We have tried to maintain a dignified silence regarding the details of our divorce for the last few months whilst accepting the obvious media interest. A misleading and inaccurate statement, specifically in relation to the sums of money involved, was wrongly issued...this week," their statement begins.

"The financial details of the settlement will remain private, save to say that both of us are happy with our agreement. Our primary concern, like any co-parents, is the care and well-being of our children."

The couple did not elaborate on what part of Rosenberg's statement was inaccurate or why Rosenberg made the announcement to begin with.

British media reports had suggested that Madonna's camp floated the figures because she was getting the short-shrift in the tabloids' coverage and wanted to take a shot at Ritchie.

As Rosenberg stated previously, an agreement has yet to be worked out over the custody of their two children together, 8-year-old Rocco and 3-year-old David.

The Queen of Pop and the Snatch director tied the knot in a posh ceremony in Scotland in December 2000, but the union crumbled earlier this year amid rumors of a fling between Madonna and Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez. She subsequently filed for divorce in October, and a British court granted a preliminary divorce decree last month. A final decree is expected in January.

Cameron Diaz's Hot Dinner Date With Paul Sculfor

The emphasis for Cameron Diaz and Paul Sculfor is on keeping things hot and heavy.

The twosome stepped out to E. Baldi restaurant in Beverly Hills Friday night for a PDA-packed dinner.

"They were all over each other," an eyewitness tells E! News. "Get a room!"

Cam and Paul fed each other bites of their five-course meal, including bruschetta, salad, pasta, fish and dessert. Instead of drinking, they both sipped regular Coke.

The duo continued to kiss and hug, paying no attention to fellow diners.

"She looked so happy," an eyewitness tells E! News. "They were completely smitten with each other. It was like no one else existed."

Keanu Reeves Cleared of Pap Smear

Keanu Revees' excellent court adventure has just come to an end.

After a little more than an hour of deliberations this morning, a Los Angeles jury has cleared the Bill and Ted star in a civil trial brought by a vengeful paparazzo who claimed he was run over by Reeves.

The decision means Reeves has escaped his legal matrix without having to break open the bank for the plaintiff.

Alison Silva had been seeking $704,974 in compensatory damages from the Speedster, including medical bills and lost wages, stemming from injuries supposedly sustained in March 2007, when Reeves was pulling out of a parking lot amid a shutterbug swarm.

According to Team Silva, he permanently injured his left wrist after getting knocked down by the the 44-year-old actor's Porsche.

Silva's credibility was undermined during cross-examination by Reeves' attorney, who played a video showing the plaintiff scaling a razor-wire fence to shoot video of Britney Spears and then using his left hand to brace himself and keep his balance while climbing down—after the alleged incident with Reeves.

Reeves, who actually tended to Silva after the incident, denied dinging the photog during testimony last week, asserting that camera wielder was walking backwards and tripped over his own feet.

After the jury read its verdict, the A-lister smiled and patted his attorney, Alfred Gerisch, on the back.

"We obviously felt from day one that Mr. Reeves was not negligent," Gerisch told reporters outside the courtroom after the six-man, six-woman panel rendered its decision. "It's unfortunate that this lawsuit was brought, and it's unfortunate that we had to go this far—a lot of time, a lot of effort and obviously a lot of money."

For his part, Silva accepted the outcome.

"I respect the jury's decision," he said. "They did what they deemed was correct, and I have to live with that.

"I wish Keanu is happy in his life. I have nothing against Keanu," he said.

Asked if he'll continue to snap photos of Reeves, the photog replied, "Why not? It's a business."

With suitors like this, it's no wonder Lindsay Lohan has shied away from the company of men.

A man accused of stalking the actress was busted in Scottsdale, Ariz., early this morning, after making an aggressive play for Lohan's attention as she and gal-pal Samantha Ronson exited a local nightclub.

The dynamic duo were on their way out of Scottsdale's Jackrabbit Lounge, where Ronson had been on official spinning duty, at roughly 1:30 a.m., when 38-year-old Daniel Combs lunged for the actress.

"The gentleman became very excited when he realized he was so close to Samantha, and he has a history of being a stalker with Lindsay Lohan, so he immediately attacked her and started yelling 'I love her, I love her,' " the club's owner, Dan Wierck, told the local ABC affiliate.

Bodyguards and police were quick to tackle the man—photos of him being detained are already making the rounds thanks to an intrepid local blogger—and Lohan and Ronson were subsequently ushered off the premises.

"Combs tried to get around security and pushed one of the guards," the police report said. "He became disruptive and was subsequently detained by club security personnel."

Combs was arrested for disorderly conduct and released from police custody at 6 a.m.

Police said they contacted Lohan and Ronson at their local hotel after the incident, where both women denied knowing the man.

It's unclear whether any charges will result from the incident.

Jessica Alba's a Calendar Girl!

Hot mama Jessica Alba has a new gig: the face (and body) of Club Campari's 2009 calendar.

In the sultry pictures shot by Mario Testino in Malibu, she shows off her bangin' postbaby body.

"I’m usually walking around in comfy clothes with a baby on my arm, and it’s nice to dress things up and feel sophisticated, sexy and surrounded by so much beauty," Jess said of her steamy shoot. "Also being surrounded by Brazilian models made it even easier!"

David Beckhams' Sticky-Fingered Ex-Employees Cleared

This is one instance where Posh won't be able to say, "Charge it."

In fact, no charges will be filed against the Emmett family, the former employees of Victoria and David Beckham accused of swiping the couple's stuff and selling it on eBay.

Eric and June Emmett, along with son Gareth, were arrested in October after the Spice Girl's mother noticed some of her daughter's belongings up for auction by a seller called "Posh and Becks."

The items, including several of the soccer star's jerseys and shoes and the fashionista's dresses, were then realized to be missing from Beckhingham Palace.

"After consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, no further action has been taken at this stage against the three people arrested in connection with an allegation of theft from the Sawbridgeworth home of David and Victoria Beckham," Hertfordshire police said in a statement.

Upon his arrest, Eric Emmett declared the allegations "fabricated nonsense."

No further details have been made public.

Paris Hilton and Benji Party Together at D&G

Could a reunion be in the works for Paris Hilton and Benji Madden?

It certainly looked that way tonight. The two arrived mere minutes apart for the grand opening of the D&G boutique on Robertson Boulevard hosted by Rachel Bilson.

Paris was doing interviews on the carpet as Nicole Richie andJoel Madden arrived together at the event, which benefitted Art of Elysium. After Nic and Joel took photos, they brushed right past Paris without even saying hello and headed inside the soiree.

But when Benji arrived right behind them, it was another story...

Paris' ex-boyfriend stopped to greet her in mid-interview, and the two went inside the store together, where she quickly pulled him into a private corner so they could talk.

The usually photo-happy heiress waved off photogs as the former couple chatted cozily together. After grabbing drinks at the bar, Paris quickly approached Nicole to say hi, and then she and Benji headed out to the smoking patio for some more quiet conversation.

Both Paris and Benji looked happy and friendly as they hung together, but when asked if she and Benji were getting back together, all Paris offered was a knowing smile.

Ultimately, Benji left the bash with Joel and Nicole, leaving Paris to hang with sister Nicky and David Katzenberg. And while Nicole looked superskinny again in tights and a tutu-type skirt, she ate french fries inside the fete.

Pam Anderson: Mystery Guest Flashes Her Breasts

Pamela Anderson has no problem getting naked in public. But sometimes it's not even intentional!

The buxom blonde accidentally flashed her breasts to an entire studio audience during a taping yesterday of Osbournes: Reloaded, a new upcoming variety show hosted by Sharon, Ozzy, Kelly and Jack Osbourne

Anderson's breast boo-boo happened during a skit called "Guess the Guest," according to an eyewitness.

"The Osbournes blindfold themselves and ask the guest questions to guess who they are," my source says. "Pam was sprawled on the stage, but when she got up, the top half of her dress completely flopped forward exposing everything."

The Osbournes never actually saw what happened because they remained blindfolded. "They heard it all and were very confused," the source says. "It was very funny."

Will the blooper make it on air? Looks like it, because they did not do a redo.

A rep for the show insists none of Anderson's naughty bits were actually exposed.

"I know that Pam had some issues wit the zipper on the back of her dress," the rep says. "But as far as I saw, she remained properly covered and nothing was revealed to the audience."

Airdates for the new show have not been announced.

Tequila made Heidi and Spence say ‘I do’

LOS ANGELES - Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt apparently had some liquid motivation for their "elopement." The Monday episode of MTV's "The Hills" chronicling the reality TV couple's supposedly surprise wedding ceremony depicted Pratt, 25, and Montag, 22, agreeing to exchange vows after downing several shots of tequila while vacationing near Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

"You don't have to tell anyone," Pratt told an intoxicated Montag. "It's our secret marriage."

But it was never much of a secret. The pair appeared on the Nov. 26 cover of Us Weekly with the headline "Heidi & Spencer Elope!" The accompanying story featured an interview with the pair and photos of the so-called impromptu ceremony, which the couple later acknowledged was symbolic, and not legally binding. The story didn't note that they had never obtained a marriage license.

The ceremony itself wasn't featured on Monday's episode. Instead, the pair ogled themselves and their rings on a handheld video camera while lounging in a hotel bed the morning after the ceremony. Pratt told Montag he thought the tequila persuaded her to spontaneously get hitched. A preview for next week's season finale features Montag, Pratt and Pratt's sister walking into a courtroom.

"I can't let you go and make this wedding legal," Montag's distraught mother tells Pratt in the teaser.

"Well, Heidi's my wife," Pratt responds. "So we'll go to the courthouse, and make it legal, so you'll be my mom."

Brad Pitt comes to Angelina Jolie’s defense

Brad Pitt’s interview in Rolling Stone is getting lots of attention because he revealed that he and Angelina Jolie don’t fight (“I don’t want to waste time being angry at someone I love,” he says). But perhaps more interesting is his response to the recent New York Times piece that outlined an agreement he and Jolie allegedly struck with People magazine when they published their most recent family photos.

“It sounded to me like the story made Angie out to be manipulative in some way," Pitt said. "And (the writer is) totally missing the point. She is savvy. … It doesn’t sound like this guy understands that when it came to the birth of our children, a huge bounty was placed on their heads. And people were going to go to incredible lengths to get it. … in our mind, People magazine does more things about the positive spirit of people, so that’s how we came to our decision.”

It’s good to see Pitt defending his (and Jolie’s) decision publicly — most celebrities who sell photos of their kids stay mum about whatever agreement was struck.

The interview wasn’t all business, though. Also of note is Pitt’s answer to which Jolie film is his favorite. The answer was “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” but he’s never gotten around to seeing it.

“No, we’ve never seen it," said Pitt, who of course starred in the film along with Jolie. "I just mean because, you know ... six kids. Because I fell in love.”

Britney Celebrate Her 27th Birthday

December 2 was a big day for Britney Spears: she performed live on “Good Morning America,” her new album “Circus” dropped, and it was her 27th birthday. Spears celebrated in a way that came as a surprise to some: with a party at Tenjune, a rather trendy Manhattan nightclub.

“She’s been so careful with her image lately, it came as a surprise that she’d turn around and have her party at a club,” said one person in the Spears inner circle. “We don’t expect anything bad to happen, but it just sounds like trouble on the surface.”

That said, “Everyone’s really excited that Britney’s back,” says another person who was privy to some of the party planning. “And it’s not about it (the party) being at a nightclub, it’s about what’s going to happen in the space.”

At about 10:15 p.m., Spears, her parents Jamie and Lynne and manager Larry Rudolph arrived at Tenjune. Some of the VIP friends in attendance: Lance Bass, Rob Buckley from "Lipstick Jungle," Josh Lucas, Heidi Klum, Jeremy Piven and Will.i.Am.

A source inside says that Spears didn't drink, “There was only water on the table,” and that she was in good spirits. “She had a great time. It was nice to see.” Spears and her entourage left a little after 1 a.m.

Before Spears made it to the club, she taped a spot that will air during NBC's Rockefeller Center Tree lighting special, then she and her family had a celebratory birthday dinner at the Rainbow Room.

Jessica Simpson wants to study theology

You may remember that we recently reported that US singer and actress Jessica Simpson had a superb blonde moment when she dreamed her way into Niketown. Well, it looks like it was merely a random lapse of her superb and superior intellect, because Jessica now has plans to attend college in order to gain a qualification in theology.

Now theology is a fearsome subject, full of world history and various philosophies from around the world, both of which need to be studied in order to even scrape the surface of the subject. It throws up questions such as 'Why are we here?', 'Is there a God?' and apparently 'Has Dan Brown written the most important book since the Bible?'.

Jessica told Marie Claire magazine about the Road to Damascus experience that awoke her interest in this complex subject.

"I've been contemplating taking a college course in religion. I love religion. I remember whenever the book 'The Da Vinci Code' came out, the Discovery Channel did this three-night piece on it that I TiVoed and then watched eight times."

Note that she never actually mentions getting round to reading the book herself. It's actually a surprise she can work a TiVo (whatever they are). Maybe theology is a step too far. She could start with something simpler at college such as studying Veterinarian Science. If she sits down and concentrates for several months, surely even she can work her way through 'Mary had a little lamb'?

Beyoncé: How to Be a "Fierce" Diva

With a new album and two movies on the horizon, it appears the Season of Beyoncé has begun.

Then again, one could argue that it's always Beyoncé season.

Two years ago, it was all about the release of her second CD, "B'Day" and her starring role in the movie "Dreamgirls." Last year, her "Irreplaceable" was up for a top Grammy and she was on a world tour. And this year, besides a high-profile Grammy performance with Tina Turner, her hush-hush marriage to Jay-Z and appearances on hit remixes with Justin Timberlake and Usher generated headlines.

Though it may have been hard to tell, she actually did take a yearlong hiatus from recording music.

"I think I did need to take a break. I honestly did," she says, sitting on a sleek chair in an even sleeker hotel room during a recent interview. "I needed to take a break even personally so I could relax and appreciate all the things that I worked for."

Of course, Beyoncé being Beyoncé, her hiatus wasn't a complete vacation: She spent part of that "break" filming her upcoming movie, "Cadillac Records," in which she peels off the glamour to play R&B great Etta James during her drug-addled years.

Beyoncé says not only did the role propel an acting breakthrough, it provided a musical one, too.

"I felt like after I played Etta James, and I sang these beautiful, emotional, deep, honest songs, I really learned a lot about myself. And I wanted to make classic music ... to grow and make that transition into legendary," she says.

Her bid at musical immortality comes this week with the release of "I AM ... SASHA FIERCE," her third solo CD, something of a departure from the frenetic funk of her previous two multiplatinum albums, "Dangerously in Love" and "B'Day."

While the new album certainly has its share of club anthems — one of its first singles is the bouncy jam "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" — it is a double-CD with two personalities. The upbeat side is dubbed "SASHA FIERCE" (the namesake of her onstage, divalicious alter ego); the "I AM ..." portion is a ballad-centric pop album that features Beyoncé at what her father and manager, Matthew Knowles, calls her most revealing.

"She shows more vulnerability on this record," says Knowles, who with Beyoncé acts as executive producer. "That's a natural growth of her age and life experiences."

Though Beyoncé is an established veteran after more than a decade in the spotlight (she made her debut along with the rest of the members of Destiny's Child in 1997), the 27-year-old has always been among the more guarded celebrities, staying on message about her music and movies while giving up little about her life outside the spotlight.

She still refuses to divulge much about her private life (other than confirming her marriage to Jay-Z — a breakthrough itself — she declined to speak much about the relationship). But she seems more at ease during interviews, more willing to let the Sasha side of her personality come through. The day after the election of Barack Obama, the giddy singer was in good spirits, wearing a suit in honor of the candidate she supported and laughing often as she talked about politics, music, and her future.

"I'm learning the importance of balance, which is one of the biggest (concerns) of all working women _ when is it enough, when is it time to relax, and to take care of yourself? But I'm very proud of my progress," she adds with a laugh, "and I'm growing."

Songwriter Makeba Riddick, who co-wrote songs on "B'Day" and was part of a team of writers on the ballad "Ave Maria" with Beyoncé, says that growth was apparent during the creation of "I AM ... SASHA FIERCE." "The energy, it was different," says Riddick. "'B'Day' was a bunch of dance tracks and it was a lot of fun records, party records, and this is more reflective and personal. (She's) just showing a more mature side of her and music."

That's partly because of where her head was at after filming "Cadillac Records," which she executive produced. The movie, which also stars Oscar-winner Adrian Brody and Jeffrey Wright, documents the heyday of the Chess R&B label.

To depict James in the harrowing throes of addiction, Beyoncé spent time at a Brooklyn rehab center in to better understand something she says she's never done: drugs. The experience, she said, took its toll.

"I don't go around focusing on negative things, so it was really a difficult thing for me to be in that much pain for that amount of time, crying all day, all night, even when I left I was in a funk. I was a different person."

Beyoncé also takes a dramatic turn in the upcoming thriller "Obsessed," due out next year.

"She's played two roles that really have helped change and mold her growth," says her father.

To that end, Beyoncé appears to be taking a more streamlined approach to her music.

"I just wanted to do things that make people feel, make people think. Even with the uptempos, with 'Sasha Fierce,' I wanted it to be simple and classic."

About Flirting With Forty Movie

Jackie is a divorced mother of two on the brink of her 40th birthday. When her kids go to stay with her ex for the holidays, Jackie decides to go on a tropical holiday. While on vacation, this divorcee winds up having a scorching romance with a much younger man — one who is seriously sexy too. It’s not long before Jackie discovers that life is just beginning for her at age 40. Starring Heather Locklear and Robert Buckley; it’s based on the hit book by (and the real-life adventures of) author Jane Porter.

The Grammy Nominations Were Announced Wednesday Night

The Grammy Nominations were announced Wednesday night and the evening's two big surprises were….

Lil Wayne leading the field with noms and Katy Perry getting robbed!

With more nominations than anyone, Wayne scored eight noms, followed by Coldplay with seven, and Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West each earned six nods.

Despite having one of the biggest worldwide hits of the year, Katy Perry was shut out of all categories except Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

She wasn't even nominated for Best New Artist, yet the Jonas Brothers were. That's just wrong!

We love the Jonai but they just released their THIRD album and really broke to prominence in 2007. They should NOT have been nominated!

While Katy got close to no love from the Grammys this year, several others of our faves did get lots of noms and affection.

Adele scored four nominations! They are Best New Artist, as well as Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Record of the Year and Song of the Year for Chasing Pavements.

Leoan Lewis got three noms - Best Pop Vocal Album for her debut, Spirit and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Record of the Year for Bleeding Love.

Rihanna also scored three nods - in the Best Dance Recording category for Disturbia, in the Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals category, If I Never See Your Face Again with Maroon 5, and in the Best Long Form Music Video category for Good Girl Gone Bad: Live

Madonna and Lady Gaga are both vying for Best Dance Recording, for Give It To Me and Just Dance, respectively.

Madonna is also nominated in the Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals category for her duet with Justin Timberlake, 4 Minutes.

Robyn was nominated in the Best Electronic/Dance Album category for Robyn.

M.I.A. got a Record of the Year nod for her crossover hit Paper Planes.

Pink was nominated in the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance category for So What.

Jason Mraz earned a nom with I'm Yours for Song of the Year.

And, Kathy Griffin got a nod for for Best Comedy Album for For Your Consideration.

Why did K-Fed start spilling beans on Britney?

Ever since Britney Spears’ big breakdown, her ex-husband Kevin Federline has been approached by nearly every publication in the celebrity business about telling his side of the story.

There are two schools of thought on the subject. The more cynical comes from a former associate of Federline’s: “He doesn’t do anything unless there is a financial motive behind it, period. There’s a fee connected to everything he does. He gets a substantial amount of money from Britney, yes, but he wants to make his own money too, and he knows that he’s sitting on a gold mine when it comes to the ‘real’ story of Britney.”

The other take is that Federline is just giving the people what they want. “He’s been hounded for more than a year about telling his side of things," says another source. "He’s just tossing a little out there in a place he trusts so that he can move on. He didn’t betray her in the interview, he did what he felt was the right thing to do given the circumstances.”

Klum wooing Britney for 'Runway'?
The next season of “Project Runway” has wrapped (and could air as soon as January) but Heidi Klum’s appearance at Britney Spears’ 27th birthday party at New York's trendy Tenjune nightclub Dec. 2 had some wondering if the model is hoping to have Spears make an appearance on an upcoming season.

“Heidi’s smart: she knows that Britney can do wonders for a show’s ratings, there’s been a lot of drama at ‘Runway’ — it would be huge for her to get Britney,” says a source close to Klum.

Klum recently dished on her husband Seal’s gift-giving abilities. “He gave me a beautiful diamond bracelet one year, and he put it on while I was sleeping,” Klum told Us magazine. “I keep all my husband’s letters or, when I get flowers, the cards.”

Wentz learned from Ledger
In his new interview with Details magazine, Pete Wentz talks about becoming a father (“a happy accident,” he said) but also about putting his prescription drug habit to rest.
Wentz tells the magazine that he took Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin but, “after Heath Ledger,” he says, “I was just like, ‘Man, this is not going to end up good.”

Wentz also credits wife Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and new baby Bronx Mowgli for helping him stay away from the pills.

“I’d realized I’d found my soulmate, and it made me want to be a better person,” he told Details. “Now, with the baby, I want to be the best dad I can be,” he said.