Belgian actor wins plaudits and first Cannes "crush"

CANNES, France (Reuters) - It is only day two, but the Cannes film festival has already uncovered a breakout star in Belgian Matthias Schoenaerts, who has earned critical acclaim and plenty of swoons for his portrayal of tough guy Ali in French drama "Rust and Bone".

Contestants? It's TV talent judges basking in fame, cash

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Time was when TV talent shows set out to turn wannabes into stars.

Busy Jennifer Lopez casts doubt on more "American Idol"

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jennifer Lopez is casting doubt on whether she will return to "American Idol" next year as she juggles motherhood with a comeback in both her pop music and acting careers.

Regret but no surprise Cannes lacks women directors

CANNES, France (Reuters) - The absence of female directors from the 22-strong competition in Cannes this year is a "great pity", but reflects a global problem rather than sexism specific to the world's biggest film festival, jury member Andrea Arnold said on Wednesday.

Cannes festival opens with quirky comedy and a camel

CANNES, France (Reuters) - The Cannes film festival kicked off on Wednesday with quirky U.S. comedy "Moonrise Kingdom", Wes Anderson's exploration of childhood and young love centered around two 12-year-olds who fall in love and run away together.

Members of the "Wiggles" hand on to next generation

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Greg, Jeff and Murray - who along with Anthony are better known by millions of children around the world as The Wiggles - will hand over their colorful tops to younger replacements, including a woman, the group announced on Thursday.

Baron Cohen's Dictator storms Cannes, camel in tow

CANNES, France (Reuters) - It took no less than a live camel strolling the promenade in Cannes to steal the show on the film festival's opening day, a feat that comedian Sacha Baron Cohen pulled off with chutzpah on Wednesday.

Is it curtains for Afghanistan's fading silver screen?

KABUL (Reuters) - Clouds of hashish and cigarette smoke float across a screen showing a dancing Pakistani woman, who evokes yowls of excitement from the hundreds of Afghan men passing their time in one of the capital's rundown cinemas.

Family cancels weekend search for missing Hollywood executive

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The family of a Hollywood executive reported missing more than two weeks ago called off on Wednesday a major search planned for this weekend after consulting with authorities.

Britney is back - and so are the brickbats

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Britney Spears hasn't even taken her seat as the new judge of "The X Factor," but the pop icon is already getting a lesson in the media glare of live, talent show television.