Movie: Bandslam * Gecko Preview *  Official Site
In Theaters: Aug. 14, 2009

Runtime: 111 minutes
Directed by: Todd Graff; Produced by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas

MPAA Rating: PG for some thematic elements and mild language
Gecko Rating:

I take back my earlier thoughts about "Bandslam." If, like me, you were expecting something akin to "High School Musical," you’d be dead wrong!
Yes, there’s a teensy bit of sap in this movie, but nothing like the volume offered up in Disney’s HSM. This is Summit Entertainment, after all, which automatically kicks it to a different level. The soundtrack includes Lou Reed’s "Femme Fatale" and Steve … [Read More]

Zac Efron may be moving beyond Disney-type movies, but it seems like his girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens is sticking with the tried-and-true formula.
Hudgens ("High School Musical") and Alyson Michalka ("Phil of the Future," "Aly and AJ") are starring in "Bandslam," due in theaters Aug. 14, 2009. Michalka plays a gifted singer-songwriter who recruits a new kid in town (Gaelan Connell, "Chocolat") to manage her rock band. Her main motivation? Go up against her egotistical ex-boyfriend (Scott Porter, "Friday Night Lights") and his band at a battle of the bands competition. Meanwhile, Sam (Hudgens) and Will find romance.
My first … [Read More]

Vanessa Hudgens is moving beyond “High School Musical” with several new roles. And they sound like quite a diversion from HSM!
She’s signed for the teen romance “Beastly,” a film based on an Alex Flinn novel about a vain New York teen who’s made to look ugly in order to find true love. Sort of a reverse version of “Penelope.” Daniel Barnz has signed to direct.
Hudgens was also recently cast in an all-girl action flick “Sucker Punch,” co-written and directed by Zack Snyder (“300” and “Watchmen”). Kind of a different role for her, but you know, good for her.

While the rest of us turned off the tube and went to bed after the 2009 Oscars ended, the stars in Hollywood were just getting started.
E! caught up with High School Musical’s Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, who dished about how nerve-wracking their Oscar duet was, and what it was like being on stage with host Hugh Jackman. These two are such a cute couple. I hope they stay together for a while.

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The youngsters are taking over the Oscars this year! And it’s just days away! ABC’s live telecast from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre will air this Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET.
Robert Pattinson, the hunky vampire Edward Cullen in "Twilight" and the upcoming "New Moon," will be presenting, though I haven’t heard which award it will be. Also no word on whether his co-star, Kristen Stewart, will be by his side. Next up for the 22-year-old British actor is "Little Ashes," in which he’ll play artist Salvador Dali.
Also at … [Read More]

Vanessa Hudgens, Disney cutie and star of the “High School Musical” movies, reportedly auditioned for a role in “New Moon,” the upcoming sequel to last year’s smash-hit vampire flick “Twilight.” 
But it’s unlikely she’ll get the part – at least for now.
"I’m not sure about [final] casting, but I had heard Vanessa Hudgens was going up for the part of Leah [Clearwater, a werewolf]," screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, who wrote both films, told PEOPLE at the Directors Guild of America Awards in L.A. Saturday night. "But at the moment, the part of Leah doesn’t happen until the third movie."
Ok, … [Read More]

Rumors are swirling that Vanessa Hudgens, cutie from the "High School Musical" movies might be close to signing as the character of Leah in "New Moon."
Wow, I really can’t see her in the role at all. What do you guys think about this? Maybe I need to stop thinking of her in terms of the HSM movies, since those are pretty much a done deal. I mean, she has to move on, right?
The "Twilight" sequel is in the works, with Chris Weitz in as director and filming scheduled to begin in March. Look for the vampire movie … [Read More]

Awww, I always like hearing about celebrities doing good things. Actor Zac Efron brought Christmas - and gifts - to some kids at an L.A. hospital.
Young patients at the Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA were delighted when the “High School Musical” star played Santa Claus by giving away $10,000 worth of toys, including art sets, board games, and HSM products. He also signed autographs and posed for pictures.
A source told Us Magazine, “He really spent time bonding with each of the children and their families. The kids were smitten and beaming from ear to ear. Some … [Read More]

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David Cassidy — ‘member him, from “The Partridge Family“? — has a few words of advice for Zac Efron: Keep it real.
“All I can say to Zac is that as long as he does good work, doesn’t lose his mind, and stays grounded as a human being, he’ll be fine,” Cassidy, 58, tells Britain’s Daily Mail as he’s about to embark on a U.K. concert tour (!).
He adds: “But he’d better fasten his seatbelt because it’s going to be a very bumpy ride.”
More after the jump…

One of my publicist buddies sent me screener copies of two DVD games being released on Nov. 18, 2008. My 11-year-old daughter and I had loads of fun playing them, and we gave them both a big thumbs up. These are great games for kids to play together, but if you’re a kid at heart like me, they’re fun for adults, too! Here’s the lowdown:
Hannah Montana DVD Game: This fun interactive game lets you take center stage at a Hannah Montana concert, play the drums to audition for her band, learn new dance moves, and test your HM … [Read More]