Earlier today came word that Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme might be joining Sly Stallone & Co. for The Expendables 2 (although the reported cast listing at Millenium Films now reads “TBA”). Now it seems Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis are onboard to reprise their cameos from the first film, with bigger parts this time around. (Expanded Expendables !) So let’s just take a minute and regroup: Who isn’t onboard or under consideration to join the beefy action sequel?
In times like these it’s always good to know miracles do happen. A 60-year-old Japanese man was found 10 miles from shore floating on the fragments of his shattered house, two days after the tsunami swept him out to sea. Hiromitsu Shinkawa was pushed out to sea while he clung to the roof of his home after a tsunami swept away his wife. For two days, he drifted off Japan’s northeastern coast, trying to get the attention of helicopters and ships that passed by – to no avail. Finally, on Sunday, a Japanese military vessel spotted the 60-year-old waving a red cloth. He was about 15 kilometers (about 10 miles) offshore from the earthquake-ravaged city of Minamisoma, said Yoshiyuki Kotake, a Defense Ministry spokesman. Shinkawa told his rescuers that the tsunami hit as he and his wife returned home to gather some belongings after Friday’s quake. His wife was swept away, Kotake said. “Several helicopters and ships passed by, but none of them noticed me,” he was quoted by another defense agency spokesman, who refused to be identified by name, as saying. Japanese troops used a small boat to pluck him from the ocean. Military officials said Shinkawa was lucky that mild weather and relatively calm seas enabled him to stay afloat for nearly two days, the Kyodo news agency reported. “I thought today was the last day of my life,” it quoted him as saying. Shinkawa’s wife is still among the missing in Japan. Amazing survival story, but for every Hiromitsu Shinkawa there are thousands more lives lost. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan affected by this devastation. R.I.P. to all the dead.
Umm… We’re not sure how to feel about this one. But TMZ reports someone out in Hollyweird is trying to come up off of a sextape of Usher and his ex-wife Tameka Foster. TMZ was approached several days ago by someone claiming to have the sex tape. The person sent us a short video and two photos. We’ll keep this PG-13 and just say … the people in the video are both givers. The video and photos are clear — it’s Usher and Tameka. Sources close to Usher — without specifically admitting the existence of a sex tape — tell us they believe this video could have been among the things Usher had stolen out of his car back in December 2009. Usher reported more than $1,000,000 worth of jewelry and electronics taken — including two laptop computers. A rep for Usher had no comment. Yikes. We definitely could have done without the mental image we now have, much less the real thing. More on this as it develops.
He’s already been Passenger 57. But, soon, Wesley Snipes will getting another number, of the inmate variety. The action star, who tried his hardest to avoid a prison sentence on tax evasion charges, has been ordered to begin serving his three-year stint at a federal prison in Pennsylvania on December 9. All attempts by Snipes and his attorneys to overturn his 2008 conviction failed, as prosecutors allege the actor did not pay any taxes on the reported $38 million he earned from 1999 on. “The Defendant Snipes had a fair trial… The time has come for the judgment to be enforced,” wrote U.S. District Judge William Terrell Hodges. Indeed, for Snipes, it’s time to get off the Money Train.
Pamela Anderson has finally discussed her tax troubles, speaking with TV show Access Hollywood about the reported $493,000 in income tax she owed. “I take full responsibility and I’m working it all out as best I can. I hate to owe anybody anything. It’s driving me crazy, but I’m doing everything I can to solve all that. You know that’s been going on for a while, but it got picked up because when you’re in the press I guess they dig around and try and find some dirt. I’m doing everything I can, obviously that’s really important to me.” Anderson took to Twitter last week to address her financial woes, writing: “I’m not trying to avoid any tax obligation. Certain events occurred, outside of my control which caused this temporary but embarrassing situation. All of my tax obligations will be resolved in the very near future. Love Pamela.”
Professionally, Adam Lambert’s life is about to take off. His debut album, ” For Your Entertainment ,” will be released on November 23. Personally, however, the singer’s love life has changed course dramatically: a source tells JustJared.com that he and Drake LaBry have called it quits.
