Will: 'We Got to Help Each Other'

Even Hollywood can make movies for the non-'lily-livered:' Nile Gardiner

(NEWSER) - "Hollywood may well be a bastion of liberalism, but it does continue to occasionally produce major films that advance conservative principles," Nile Gardiner writes in the Telegraph . His best of the aughts:

1. Master and Commander, 2003: The Peter Weir flick starring Russell Crowe is "an epic tale of heroism and love for country in the face of incredible odds, and a glowing tribute to the grit and determination that forged the British Empire."
2. Black Hawk Down, 2001: Critics may have called it an "anti-war film," but Gardiner doesn't buy it. Instead, it's "an extraordinarily powerful and deeply patriotic tribute to the heroism and bravery of the US military."

Tom is 'so proud of' Connor, 13, 'for really doing this on his own'

(NEWSER) - Which gets you further in Hollywood: having Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as parents or having Will Smith as your close family friend? Either way, Connor Cruise, the famed actors' adopted 13-year-old son, has scored himself a big screen debut in Smith's upcoming drama, "Seven Pounds," People.com reports. The younger Cruise will play a minor role as a young Smith. More»

Pic banks top December gross of all time; Chipmunks also wows

(NEWSER) - I Am Legend rocked the box office for $76.5 million this weekend, the highest gross for a December pic ever, Variety reports. Twentieth Century Fox also surprised with Alvin and the Chipmunks, which scored $45 million, second ever for G- or PG-rated December debuts. Together they boosted a sluggish box office with a 37% spike over this weekend last year. More»

Meanwhile, critics carp about too many new Hollywood additions

(NEWSER) - The forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theatre hosts handprints of Hollywood royalty from Marilyn Monroe to Robert Pattinson. But after years of wear, some of the most iconic imprints—such as Groucho Marx's—may be moved to more protected spots, says the theater's co-owner. Meanwhile, the tourist destination is facing criticism over some of its recent acquisitions, the Los Angeles Times notes. This year saw more additions than any year since 1927. But do Alvin and the Chipmunks really deserve a spot near Clark Gable? More»

'Charity Swear Box' urges you to donate $1 per bad word

(NEWSER) - If your New Year’s resolution is to stop swearing so much, why not do some good at the same time? Giving a modern twist to the idea of putting money into a glass jar every time you curse, " Charity Swear Box" monitors your Twitter feed for naughty words. At the end of the month, the site will let you know how much you owe to charity—$1 per word. The total "caught" to date? Just a hair under $36,000 . More»