Movie Starring Pitt, Penn Booed at Cannes

The latest from Woody Allen, Gus Van Sant, Pedro Almodóvar, and more

(NEWSER) - Cannes kicks off on Wednesday, and the Daily Beast rounds up 10 of the most buzzed-about movies featured at the 64th annual film festival:

• The Tree of Life: From filmmaker Terrence Malick, the story of a Texas boy (played in adulthood by Sean Penn) torn between the worldviews of his father, played by Brad Pitt, and his mother, played by newcomer Jessica Chastain.
• Melancholia: Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier's version of an Armageddon story, which centers around two sisters (played by Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg) who are drifting apart.

Pitt talks engagement to Angelina Jolie at Cannes

(NEWSER) - Brad Pitt was flying solo today at Cannes, but in addition to his gangster film, Killing Them Softly, Angelina Jolie was predictably a big topic of conversation. Pressed by reporters for some juicy gossip, he said his engagement to Jolie was "something that made sense," People reports. As for a wedding date, there isn't one, Pitt tells US Weekly : "It's just something that makes sense to us, and certainly date-wise, it's just a rumor," he said. "We're still hoping that we can figure out marriage equality in the states before that date." He also revealed the couple would "love to" do another film together, Vulture adds. More»

Plus, Penns are still separated, and more

(NEWSER) - Patricia Heaton of Everybody Loves Raymond embarrassed herself and everyone watching last night on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Gawker reports. She acted as if her simple question—“If a euro is worth $1.50, five euros is worth what? Thirty quarters, 50 dimes, 30 nickels, or 90 pennies”—was rocket science, then Regis had to walk her through the simple arithmetic—even after using her lifeline. Elsewhere: More»

Brit paper reckons the pair is in trouble

(NEWSER) - And the award for best acting at the Cannes Film Festival goes to… Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, reports the Sun. Hollywood is abuzz with rumors of the power couple’s impending breakup: They’re putting on their happy faces along the Riviera but struggling to hide the awkwardness between them—a stark change from last year’s lovefest. The paper takes a look at the top problems facing Brangelina: More»

Taylor Swift donates $4M to Country Music Hall of Fame

(NEWSER) - Taylor Swift is donating a sizable $4 million to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the largest gift ever donated to the museum by an artist. It will fund the Taylor Swift Education Center, a new classroom and exhibit space opening in 2014, the AP reports. Swift proves that not all celebrities spend their dough on things like $12,000 Chanel bicycles and $18,500 olive trees , and Celebuzz rounds up 14 more who give freely of their money and/or their time. And while some are obvious (hello, George Clooney) many might surprise:

• Sandra Bullock: Has donated $1 million to relief organizations that give aid to those affected by 9/11, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, and the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Japan.
• Ellen DeGeneres: Her pet cause is, ahem, animal rights and rescue organizations, and her pet food line benefits charity.