To put a little holiday cheer in your cup, The Beverly Hills Outlook just published the Awards Issues for 2005 and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "The Libertine" have been nominated for awards in a number of categories including Best Film of the Year, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best CGI.  Guess who won Best Actor?!  To find out, just go to http://bhoutlook.us and click on Film Awards... and don't forget to chedk what the best Animated film of the Year was!

Depp defying
In a mountaintop castle improbably perched above a sprawling SoCal suburb, a lonesome boy with scissors for hands looks down longingly on the world below. Equal parts Frankenstein’s monster and teen pinup, Edwards Scissorhands (Johnny Depp) has lived alone ever since the untimely death of his loving mad scientist creator/papa (Vincent Price). But today Edward’s life will change forever, when a well-meaning cosmetics saleslady (Dianne Weist) knocks on his door, takes pity upon him and leads him home to meet her family. As a director, Tim Burton is often so caught up in the design of his pictures that he neglects incidental details like narrative coherency or characters we can actually care about. But Burton, who grew up as a crazy-haired misfit in suburban Burbank, brings a deeply felt, oddball poignancy to this gothic fairytale: it’s not hard to look at Edward and imagine the young Burton shyly shuffling across the shag carpets of his neighbors’ homes, his gangly limbs knocking Hummel figurines off of well-dusted shelves. Johnny Depp is superb in the lead, perfectly capturing Edward’s strange mix of lost puppy vulnerability and otherworldly creepiness. The film works as a romance, as satire . . . and as an unlikely yuletide classic, too. Edwards South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (800) 326-3264. Wed., 9 p.m., $6; Edwards Rancho Santa Margarita, 30632 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 888-3358. Thurs., Dec. 29, 9 p.m. $6.

Steven Spielberg's 1982 sci-fi ET: The Extra-Terrestrial has topped a poll of the 100 best family movies.

It is one of three films directed by Spielberg in Channel 4's countdown. His 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park is at 12, with Raiders of the Lost Ark at 20.

Shrek, which comes second, is one of 21 animated films featured. Others include Toy Story, The Lion King and Bambi.

Disney's Mary Poppins is third in the survey, while Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean is in fourth place.
 

TOP 10 FAMILY FILMS
1. ET: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
2. Shrek (2001)
3. Mary Poppins (1964)
4. Pirates of the Caribbean (2003)
5. Toy Story (1995)
6. The Lion King (1994)
7. Back to the Future (1985)
8. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
9. Star Wars (1977)
10. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Source: Channel 4

However, while Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory charts at eight, there is no room for Depp's 2005 version of the Roald Dahl story.

The oldest entries in the survey are 1933 monster classic King Kong at 62 and the 1934 Shirley Temple film Bright Eyes at 60.

Belleville Rendez-Vous, The Red Balloon and the Japanese animated films Spirited Away and Kirikou and the Sorceress are the only titles featured that were not made in the English language and did not originate from the US or the UK.

The 100 Greatest Family Films, which began on Thursday, concludes on Friday and features contributions from John Travolta, Lord Attenborough and Kermit the Frog.

The results of the poll were chosen by a public vote from a list of titles posted on the Channel 4 website.

John Malkovich Libertine Shirt
Posted Dec 23rd 2005 12:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Apparel

Johnny Depp recently sold the shirt that he wore in the movie The Libertine for $3,240 at an online auction to benefit a children's hospice but his costar John Malkovich is doing something completely different.The character actor has his own clothing line called Uncle Kimono and he is selling a shirt inspired by the movie for $280. The shirt can be made to measure in various fabrics.
LOOK HERE

and from Sylephile
So it’s slightly reminiscent of Seinfeld’s puffy shirt. But, hey, you can’t blame a guy for trying to promote his projects — actor-slash-designer John Malkovich has designed a shirt inspired by his latest film, “Libertine” (you know, 17th century, Johnny Depp, lots of debauchery and drinking). If anything, it’s worth the wear just for the mileage you'll get out of it at parties. The shirt can also be made to measure in various fabrics; find an email for inquiries, as well as Malkovich's Uncle Kimono line of clothing, at johnmalkovich.org. $280

First posted Dec 22, 2005
By Ruben V. Nepales
Inquirer

LOS ANGELES -- IN THE FLURRY of press cons crammed into our schedule before the holidays began, our group asked several stars what their hopes and wishes are for 2006.

Most of them gave profound answers, especially Johnny Depp who just keeps impressing us (although he does not try to) with the views that he expresses in our conversations with him. This man is a beautiful soul.

But the stars were also candid, adding personal wishes into the mix: Uma Thurman suddenly looked up at the ceiling of a New York hotel meeting room and hoped the massive chandelier would not do a “Phantom of the Opera” number on her; Scarlett Johansson wished her puppy would be housebroken soon.

Johnny Depp

(“You will hate me,” he says at the beginning of his new movie “The Libertine”—that will be a little hard to do for Depp enthusiasts.)

I hope for all of us, dwellers of this planet, to attempt to work things out first before we start lighting cars and buildings on fire and hurting other people. Let us all talk first. We have the beautiful ability to speak but we are losing the ability to understand and compromise. That’s disheartening. The only thing to do is keep moving forward and hope that we can all get it together. Well, not to sound like a hippie or a moonie but that’s how I feel.

Toronto - Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet will narrate and Danny Elfman will score the new giant-screen 3-D documentary "Deep Sea 3D," Imax and Warner Bros. Pictures said Wednesday.

Toronto-based Imax said Depp and Winslet will co-narrate the 3-D film, set amid underwater creatures that inhabit the oceans' depths.  "Deep Sea 3D" represents the first original Imax film to be scored by Elfman, who recently provided the music for Warner Bros.' "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," which appeared on Imax screens in a digitally remastered 3-D version.

The documentary, set for a March 3 release exclusively on Imax screens, was shot by Howard Hall, the director of Imax's first underwater 3-D film, 1991's "Into the Deep."

Producer credits on "Deep Sea 3D" go to Michelle Hall and Toni Myers.  Graeme Ferguson and Brad Ball serve as executive producers.

Imax and Warner Bros. earlier collaborated on "NASCAR 3D: The Imax Experience," which was narrated by Keifer Sutherland and has grossed $23 million to date.

"Our last original Imax production was the second highest-performing documentary of 2004, so we're very excited about the potential for 'Deep Sea 3D,' especially as it marries the magic of Imax 3D with an engrossing story, an all-star filmmaking team and the talents of Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet and Danny Elfman," Warner Bros. Pictures domestic distribution president Dan Fellman said.

Toothless Wonder
by Richard Kay

Johnny Depp is such a fan of both Irish-American writer J.P. 'The Ginger Man' Donleavy and rottentoothed Pogues singer Shane MacGowan that he has persuaded the former to write a screenplay of his masterpiece, with a major role for MacGowan.

Depp wants to star in a screen version of the classic story, with the dissolute MacGowan playing the late Brendan Behan, the hard-drinking Irish playwright.

Confirming Depp's commitment to the £15million movie, to be shot in Ireland next year, Donleavy tells me:'Behan only appears briefly in the book. I am writing a bigger part for Shane - Mr Depp wants him in the movie. The film will be directed by Laurence Dunmore, who made The Libertine with Mr Depp.'

This link tells you how to order a bracelet.

From CharlotteinCA from the Santa Cruz Sentinel
December 13, 2005
(click on this photo to see it clearly)
Looking for a Christmas present that not only helps an important cause, but could be the next big thing?

Then you ought to visit the website for Children's Hospice, a grassroots organization that started right in our county and works to provide compassionate, all-encompassing end-of-life care for children.

The organization, founded by Lori Butterworth and Devon Dabbs, needed a way to help raise funds for this important need, so it enlisted Soquel jewelry designer Jennifer Scarborough of Zia Jewelry.

Jennifer created beautiful silver, and silver and braided leather bracelets that carry messages inspired by two children who died. "Only love," says the bracelet inspired by baby Alexis and "Today is a gift - have fun," inspired by 11 year-old Dustin.

.....Actress Melissa Gilbert regularly wears hers, as does Johnny Depp, who chose the silver and leather "Today is a gift" bracelet for himself.

Johnny was so moved by the bracelet's "profound simplicity," he never takes it off.

You can order your own bracelet - 100% of the money goes to Children's Hospice - by visiting www.childrenshospice.org. Each costs $42.

BUM
Peter Weir (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World) has announced that he is set to direct the film Shantaram, which will star Johnny Depp.

Weir is currently working on the script with Eric Roth, and the studio is hoping to begin filming in Autralia and India next year.

The movie, based on the autobiography of David Roberts, is the story of a heroin addict who spends 19 years in prison for arms and drug trafficking.

It is expected to be out in 2007.

The films are listed below in alphabetical order:

"Batman Begins"
"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"
"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
"King Kong"
"Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith"
"War of the Worlds"

Fifteen-minute clip reels from each of the seven films will be screened for the Visual Effects Award Nominating Committee on Wednesday, January 25. At this screening the members will vote to nominate three of the seven films for Oscar® consideration.

All nominations for the 78th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 31, 2006, at 5:30 a.m. PST, in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements for 2005 will be presented on March 5, 2006, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PST.

By Derrick Bang/Enterprise entertainment editor

Published Dec 16, 2005 - 15:03:54 CST.

Next to Halloween, Christmas remains the most popular time to gather friends and family members, surround yourself with food and enjoy a holiday-themed movie or two ... or three or six, depending on your level of commitment.

Far too often, though, the roster of movies for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day suffers from an acute lack of imagination. Everybody can rattle off “It's a Wonderful Life,” “A Christmas Story” and “Home Alone,” but where do we go from there?

While you'll find all three of those films cited below, I worked hard not to simply state the obvious.

To a degree, the challenge becomes harder every year, because - with a few exceptions - most of the best Christmas-themed films are decades and decades old. Many are in black-and-white, but try to be patient; I promise, the absence of color won't kill you. After all, story rules everything else; you might be surprised, halfway through one or more of these selections, that you're so wrapped up in the characters that you've completed forgotten about trivialities such as film stock.

As is true of any potentially significant historical event, one cannot truly judge a film's impact until it has been given a chance to stand the test of time. Hence, you won't find anything on the “classics” list newer than 1993.

That said, I still wonder where our modern holiday classics-in-the-making are hiding. Has Hollywood lost its ability to produce a poignant, well-made Christmas movie? Is trash such as last year's “Surviving Christmas” really the best they can do?

* “Edward Scissorhands” (1990): Very few filmmakers are mentioned twice in my Top 20; Billy Wilder's one, and Tim Burton is another. This sweetly warped and surreal holiday fantasy will only gain prominence with time; I like it better every time I see it. Johnny Depp, in one of his first misfit roles, plays the title character: an artificial boy with no true hands, created but left unfinished by kind but eccentric scientist Vincent Price. When this father-figure dies unexpectedly, Edward is embraced by the hilariously wholesome Boggs family, where he falls in love with their teenage daughter, Kim (Winona Ryder), a relationship that becomes sweet, heartbreaking and tragic by turns. Everything climaxes at Christmas, leading to a hauntingly melancholy resolution. Also one of soundtrack composer Danny Elfman's finest hours.

If, in fact, it really is better to burn out than to fade away, then it stands to reason it's even better to have your ashes shot out of a 150-foot-tall cannon in the middle of natural splendor.

At least, that was Hunter S. Thompson's thinking. The gonzo journalist left specific instructions for the disposal of his remains, before taking his own life earlier this year. The realization of those plans is captured in the hourlong documentary "When I Die."

Director Wayne Ewing, who also made the intimate, entertaining portrait "Breakfast With Hunter," benefits from unfettered access to a process that was kept largely under wraps. The film opens with footage from 1978 in which Thompson describes the tower from which he wants his remains ejected: it should be topped by a gigantic rendition of a favorite image of his, a clenched fist with two thumbs.

Funded by actor Johnny Depp, the construction of this monument is a significant undertaking, on the scale of a major Hollywood production. There's some amusing culture clash as the Los Angeles contingent of event planners and producers interact with the local authority (such as it is), the Woody Creek Caucus.

The documentary feels at times like a morbid making-of-a-movie documentary, "Project: Greenlight" crossed with "Six Feet Under," but the overriding spirit of remembrance for the iconoclastic Thompson keeps it grounded.

As spectacular as this final sendoff is, "When I Die" features near its finale the most heartfelt reminiscence of Thompson, and it comes from an entirely expected source: his favorite bartender at the Woody Creek Tavern.

Unrated; language, teens fine; 56 minutes. B

Nominations: December 15, 2005
Awards: February 8, 2006

Actor of the Year
Bruno Ganz (Downfall)
Heath Ledger ( Brokeback Mountain)
Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda; Crash)
Viggo Mortensen (A History of Violence)
Johnny Depp (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)-

JOHNNY Depp, Cate Blanchett and local band Hilltop Hoods took line honours in the inaugural Advertiser Adelaide (Scene) Awards, announced last night.

The best in music, film, fashion and venues, as voted by Adelaide (Scene) readers, was celebrated at an exclusive party and awards ceremony, hosted by Adelaide (Confidential)'s Rebekah Devlin and Nova 919's Lisa Fernandez, at Sugar nightclub in Rundle St.

The event, attended by more than 100 of Adelaide's entertainment community, featured performances by local band The Trafalgars and DJ Dr Wah Wah.

Depp won best actor for his portrayal of Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, while Blanchett's performance in Little Fish was voted best by the SA public.

Hilltop Hoods beat a fancied field of local artists including the Hot Lies, Foreshore, Mere Theory and Wolf & Cub.

More than 500 people voted their favourites via voting forms published in The Advertiser and on the website, theadvertiser.com.au, from a field of nominations selected by section editors Carla Caruso (fashion), Lauren McMenemy (music), Ben McEachen (film) and Peter Wood (bars).

Advertiser editor Melvin Mansell praised the awards and the public's enthusiasm to recognise their favourites.

"The Adelaide (Scene) awards gives something back to our best entertainers, particularly the local industry that works tirelessly to promote our state and the best it has to offer," he said last night.

"The calibre of artists on a local, national and international stage is outstanding, and I have no doubt will continue to grow in 2006."

The Foo Fighters won two awards - best international artist and, fittingly, gig of the year, which only made it to Adelaide after a petition campaign by The Advertiser and Nova 919.

Other winners on the night included best fashion store Miss Gladys Sym Choon, Best bar/club/pub The Austral and best live venue Thebarton Theatre.

The nominations for the 63rd Golden Globe Awards were announced Tuesday morning by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" is leading the race with seven nominations. The prizes will be presented on Monday, January 16th at 8 p.m.

In the best picture (drama) category, the nominees are: "Brokeback Mountain," "The Constant Gardener," "Good Night, And Good Luck," "A History of Violence," "Match Point". Meanwhile, nominated for best picture (comedy of musical) are: "Mrs. Henderson Presents", "Pride & Prejudice", "The Producers", "The Squid & the Whale", "Walk The Line"

A partial list of film nominees follows:

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Pierce Brosnan, "The Matador"
Johnny Depp, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"
Nathan Lane, "The Producers"
Cillian Murphy, "Breakfast on Pluto"
Joaquin Phoenix, "Walk the Line"

On a recent stroll through Market Square in the vicinity of Breaking New Grounds, my steps were halted as Johnny Depp exited BNG, to-go cup in hand, and walked past.

But was it really Depp? It sure looked like him. Dark locks of hair protruding from under the tan-colored knit cap, black pea-coat-style jacket, and a scarf wrapped neatly around his neck.

A call was made to BNG on Wednesday asking if any staff remembered serving this person, or Depp himself. The employee who answered the phone would not confirm whether Depp had ordered a beverage at the establishment. He also said that had Depp really been there, he would prefer to respect his privacy and not reveal his presence.

But someone must have revealed it.

During the WERZ morning show "Ralphie and Suzanne" on Wednesday, it was said Depp had been in the area recently scouring the shelves of a local bookstore.

A call to RiverRun Bookstore on Commercial Alley in Portsmouth to see if Depp might have been sighted in that store found owner Tom Holbrook joking that he is often mistaken for Depp. Holbrook said he doubts it actually was Depp who was spotted.

"You don’t think (if) you’ve seen someone like Johhny Depp, you’d know?" he said.

In a phone call to WERZ Thursday morning, which ended up being on-air, Ralphie stated Depp was rumored to have been in Durham recently and was supposedly in Portsmouth shortly thereafter.

Perhaps he was donning his swashbuckling attire as Capt. Jack Sparrow from "Pirates Of The Caribbean." But Portsmouth is pretty far from the tropics and there have been no rumors of a quirky pirate being seen near any docks or flashing a roguish grin.

A reader thought Depp might have been dining at the Three Chimneys Inn in Durham. A spokesperson for the inn said employees there do believe it was Depp, but the spokesperson could not answer affirmatively. The same reader had also heard rumors that Depp may be looking to buy a home in New Hampshire.

The Concord Monitor reported on May 27 that state Rep. Chris Hamm had heard Depp had reportedly been checking out a home near hers in Hopkinton.

After posting a query online at seacoastonline.com for this piece, one local real estate company responded with the following:

"Perhaps you should stop writing about these ‘sightings’ and let the man enjoy the coast the same way we do ... peacefully."

So he has been here?

Portsmouth Police Sgt. Frank Warchol said, with laughter, he had not heard any rumors of the actor being in town.

"I’m laughing because, no. What have you heard?"

Lots. Someone also wrote in about sightings of Elvis, Stalin, Santa Claus, Courtney Love and Eminem "wannabes" having graced the cobblestone of Market Square.

Apparently, there may be an Edward Scissorhands-era Depp look-alike in town: Mickey Blanchette, who sings in local band Shagbark, which has played at The Press Room.

Attempts to call Blanchette were unsuccessful as the number listed in the phone book had been disconnected.

It’s unlikely the person exiting BNG was Blanchette as he is reportedly a regular at Caffe Kilim.

A second response to the query revealed yet another possible look-alike from Portsmouth, who the sender said can usually be seen around BNG with his Great Dane or with his family.

However, the man who walked past me mornings ago was walking solo. And there was no mention of a Great Dane or family nearby in "Ralphie and Suzanne’s" report.

Dashing the hopes of many local women, Karen Fogg sent this e-mail:

"Honey - I think you saw my co-worker - looks just like him - and he goes to Breaking New Grounds about three or four times a day. Sorry!"

One can only imagine what the presence of Depp would do for the local single scene. He is married, yes, but a girl can dream, can’t she?

Angie Lombard, a UNH employee, answered the online query with excitement about five minutes after its posting.

"We’d like to believe it’s true considering this town is plagued with ... well ... how do I put this nicely ... the ‘quality’ of men Portsmouth currently consists of (Any single Portsmouth gal knows where I’m coming from). It would do our hearts proud to think such a wonder would come here and hopefully lift the curse?!?!"

Depp’s current-known address is in France, where he lives with his wife, Vanessa Paradis, daughter Lily-Rose Melody and son Jack.

It is unclear at this time as to why Depp would be searching for a home in the Granite State or what title he could have been looking for inside a Seacoast bookstore.

The Oscar-nominated actor, 42, is known for his forward-thinking fashion steps: two-tone saddle shoes, berets and zoot suits. En route from New York to L.A. Oct. 31, Depp stopped in Midtown to sign autographs wearing a fedora and plaid scarf tucked into a black overcoat.

Pride and Prejudice and The Libertine likely have their best shot in the design categories. Although period pieces can do well at the Oscars (The English Patient, Titanic, Elizabeth, Shakespeare in Love being recent examples), I don't see either of these films as strong enough to garner significant nods. Johnny Depp (officially not the sexiest man alive this year) is a recent Oscar fave, nominated in both 2003 (Pirates of the Caribbean) and 2004 (Finding Neverland) and that might be enough to get him a Best Actor nom in spite of the racy content of Libertine, which will very likely otherwise keep the film out of serious contender status.

The Deep Sea 3D One-Sheet
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures November 29, 2005

Warner Bros. Pictures has provided ComingSoon.net with a first look at the poster for director Howard Hall's IMAX film, Deep Sea 3D, narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. The documentary, opening March 3, features the music by Danny Elfman.

Deep Sea 3D will offer audiences astonishing up-close encounters with some of the most strange and exotic creatures on the planet, from the bizarre rainbow nudibranch to the giant Pacific octopus. Every animal here is dependent on another for survival, so the cooperation that exists between these ocean dwellers is the key to a flourishing neighborhood. In the realm of the giant octopus, the rainbow nudibranch, and the Scorpion fish, each one of us becomes a fearless undersea explorer, discovering the strange and unusual partnerships these "star wars" creatures forge to ensure their survival, and learning how this co-operation allows life in this enchanting world to flourish.

Manson married Dita Von Teese in a secret ceremony with other high-profile celebrities including Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie.

Having divided the House of Commons, the debate over smoking in public is causing friction between some of the biggest "names" in Hollywood.

A few weeks back, Johnny Depp told a New York newspaper he'd "come over and have a smoke-athon", if any ban went through. "The idea of bludgeoning people and telling them that if they smoke they're awful is ludicrous," he said.

Now Woody Harrelson, who is starring in the West End play Night of the Iguana has weighed in on behalf of the health police.

Johnny Depp and James Spader don't fit the mold of the typical Hollywood star; one has made a career out of playing freaks and misfits, the other portraying devious, slimeball yuppie fetishists. They don't do the big action flicks like Nic Cage; they don't do the Adam Sandler or Jim Carrey routine; they don't do Tom Hanks. What they do is the idiosyncratic, the weirdo characters that most other actors won't touch. And they do it better than just about anybody else, as evidenced by their offbeat career longevity.

Still, the question remains: Who's the bigger oddball? Here's the tale of the tape.
Johnny Depp

Vital Statistics:
   Real Name: John Christopher Depp II
   Birthdate: June 9, 1963
   Birthplace: Owensboro, Kentucky
Origins: Grew up in Florida and dropped out of high school to be a musician. One of his bands, the Kids, once opened for Iggy Pop. He's a darn good guitar player, and has recorded with Oasis.

Family: Lives in the south of France with live-in girlfriend Vanessa Paradis, a French singer; they have two children, John Christopher (aka Jack) and Lily-Rose Melody. Previously married to Lori Anne Allison (1983-85) and engaged to Winona Ryder, Kate Moss, and Jennifer Gray.

First sighting: "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984). He got killed by Freddy Krueger.

Influences: Was working as a ballpoint pen salesman in the early 1980s, when he visited Los Angeles and met Nic Cage, who persuaded him to give acting a try.

Totally tubular: It was his role as a boyish undercover cop on "21 Jump Street" in the late 80s that put him in the public eye. The part originally belonged to another actor, whom Depp replaced.

Niche: "Edward Scissorhands" (1990) was the first of five (so far) weirdo collaborations with director Tim Burton, whom Depp credits with helping hone his talent and preventing him from winding up just another piece of "Hollywood meat."

Troublemaker: Bad-boy reputation cemented by run-ins with the law during the mid-90s over a trashed New York hotel room and a scuffle with photographers in London. His Sunset Strip night club, the Viper Room, was cast under a dark cloud after River Phoenix died of a drug overdose on the sidewalk outside in 1993

Dissident: Back when celebs were mouthing off about the Iraq war, Depp was quoted as saying "America is ... like a dumb puppy with big teeth that can bite and hurt you." Later said his remarks were a "metaphor" that taken "radically out of context."

Kid-friendly: His turn as Jack Sparrow in the first "Pirates of the Caribbean" (2003) flick netted an Oscar nod and a new generation of small-fry fans. The performance was based on two icons all children know and love: Pepe Le Pew and Keith Richards. Two "Pirates" sequels are forthcoming.

Eeeeewww: Cemented his new rep as a family-oriented star by playing J.M. Barrie, the "Peter Pan" author with what some find vaguely pedophilic tendencies in "Finding Neverland" (2004).

Rip-off: Says he's a fan of Jack the Ripper (whatever that means) and stalked the serial killer as the opium-toking detective Fred Abberline in "From Hell" (2001).

Quotable: "I think it's an actor's responsibility to change every time. Not only for himself and the people he's working with, but for the audience. If you just go out and deliver the same dish every time--it's meat loaf again--you'd get bored."

Depp, who is enthralling Indian audiences as Willy Wonka in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' based on the popular Roald Dahl book, will be in Goa for shooting a film around the same time during the next IFFI.

Renowned film-maker Shyam Benegal has advised Festival Director Afzal Amanullah to invite Depp for IFFI 2006 when the actor arrives here in November next year.

Depp, who was nominated for best actor at the Oscar Awards this year for 'Finding Neverland' and for 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl', in 2004, will be shooting for 'Shantaram', an adaptation of Gregory David Roberts's best-selling book by the same title.

'Shantaram', which will be produced by Depp (who will also act in the film), is about an Australian convict who escapes to Mumbai in the 1980s where he sets up a medical practice and his adventures in Afghanistan.

"Shyam Benegal said we should invite Depp for IFFI 2006 as he would be in Goa," said Mr Amanullah. "I think it's a good idea to have him here," he added.

The screenplay for the Warner Bros. Project will be written by Eric Roth, winner of the best screenplay Oscar for the Tom Hanks-starrer 'Forrest Gump'.

Parts of 'Bourne Identity' starring Matt Demon and the popular television series 'Bangkok Hilton' were also shot in Goa.

The 42-year-old hottie, who resides in between France and L.A., vowed to defy any smoking ban imposed in Britain and attacks similar enforcements in his native America.

The Internet Movie Database reports that the actor, who is thought to have a home in the south of England, has cut down on his nicotine habit, but believes smokers should be allowed to quit on their own, without being alienated.

He threatens, "I'll come over and have a smoke-a-thon. They've taken that whole pretzel and stretched it into as absurd pretzel as I've ever seen. Obviously it ain't good for you, and I don't condone it or recommend it, but everyone has to find their own way out of it. The idea of bludgeoning people and telling them that if they smoke they are awful is ludicrous."

Yeah! You go Johnny … you rebel!

Johnny Depp Movies




 

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