Shark movie won't affect dive industry, some say

Shark movie won't affectdive industry, some say
SYDNEY, Australia -- Australian dive operators say they don't think tourists will be scared off by the shark tale "Open Water," based on actual events that took place off the country's Great Barrier Reef six years ago. The low-budget film, which opens here this week, follows two divers who must fend for themselves in shark-infested waters after their dive boat leaves them behind. It was inspired by the 1998 disappearance of American tourists Tom and Eileen Lonergan, who vanished after being left behind by their dive group off Australia's hugely popular, 1,200-mile Great Barrier Reef. An inquiry later concluded the pair either drowned or were eaten by sharks.
Producer takes on11th Oscars broadcast
LOS ANGELES -- Gil Cates has signed on to produce next year's Academy Awards broadcast, his 12th time overseeing Hollywood's biggest bash. "I already have ideas whirling around in my head and can't wait to see them through to fruition on Oscar night," Cates said Monday. Cates has produced the Oscars a record 11 times since 1990, most recently running the show in spring 2003. He won an Emmy Award for producing the 1991 telecast. "With 11 shows under his belt, no other producer, living or dead, even comes close to the depth of Gil's experience," said Frank Pierson, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "We're lucky to have him back." Cates' film credits include producing and directing 1970's "I Never Sang for My Father."
Christian Bale's weightyo-yos for 2 roles
Actor Christian Bale has opened up to "Extra" about dropping more than 70 pounds for his role as a paranoid insomniac in the psychological thriller "The Machinist."
When asked about how the weight loss affected him mentally and physically, Bale revealed, "Once you get past a certain point, your stomach kind of shrinks -- you don't need food as much as you did before." Bale was living off of coffee, cigarettes and an apple a day. In fact, his co-star Jennifer Jason Leigh said, "He had lost so much weight and looked so frightening -- I was really worried about him. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a choice because he really looked sick." Shortly after wrapping "The Machinist," Bale had to gain more than 100 pounds for his role in "Batman Begins." He had only four months to transform his skeletal frame into that of the caped crusader.
Today's Birthdays
Comedian Nipsey Russell is 80. Lady Thatcher, former British prime minister, is 79. Playwright Frank D. Gilroy is 79. Gospel singer Shirley Caesar is 66. Actress Melinda Dillon is 65. Singer-musician Paul Simon is 63. Actress Pamela Tiffin is 62. Musician Robert Lamm (Chicago) is 60. Actor Demond Wilson is 58. Country singer Lacy J. Dalton is 58. Singer-musician Sammy Hagar is 57. Actor John Lone is 52. Model Beverly Johnson is 52. Actor Reggie Theus is 47. Singer Marie Osmond is 45. Actress T'Keyah Crystal Keymah is 42. Actress Kelly Preston is 42. Country singer John Wiggins is 42. Actress Tisha Campbell-Martin is 36. Olympic silver-medal figure skater Nancy Kerrigan is 35. Country singer Rhett Akins is 35. Rock musician Jan Van Sichem Junior (K's Choice) is 32. R & amp;B singers Brandon and Brian Casey (Jagged Edge) are 29. Singer Ashanti is 24.