Paparazzi Producer: Mel Gibson Director: Paul Abascal, a longtime Hollywood hairstylist who worked on Gibson's hair in Lethal Weapon. Starring: Cole Hauser, who is hardly famous enough to become the target of paparazzi Prelude: The term paparazzi refers to photographers who follow celebrities so that they can take candid snapshots of them in embarrassing or unexpected situations. The term was coined by Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini, who used it in his 1960 film La Dolce Vita. The story: Hauser plays Bo, a rising action star who is constantly harassed by a team of photographers headed by Rex (Tom Sizemore). He decides to seek vengeance after his beautiful wife and six-year-old son are seriously injured in a car accident caused by paparazzi. Facts: Hollywood celebrities - who are filthy rich - need coverage in tabloids as much as the paparazzi need them. Gibson and his hairdresser are being arrogant by casting the people who made them famous in a bad light. Gibson - the director of the violent Passion of the Christ - should also realise that the principle of an eye for an eye does not fit in with the teachings of Jesus. How will it fare? Moviegoers surely have better things to do than watch a bunch of high-earning celebrities whine about having too much money or fame. Proof Director: John Madden Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Anthony Hopkins Prelude: The film is an adaptation of a Pulitzer prize-winning Broadway play by David Auburn, who wrote the screenplay with Rebecca Miller - daughter of playwright Arthur Miller. The story: Paltrow plays Catherine, the daughter of a famous mathematician (Hopkins). While grieving over the death of her father, she falls for one of his students and becomes disturbed by her own extraordinary talents. This leaves Catherine to sink into an emotional abyss. The star: A crazy genius is a mouthwatering role for any ambitious performer yearning for an Oscar. Dustin Hoffman did it in The Rain Man as did Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind. Paltrow, whose previous roles are mostly of either gutsy or helpless women, has the chance to push her performance to the next level and snatch her second Oscar. How will it fare? It's a risky choice for those looking for escapist entertainment, but will likely attract people who enjoy maths or pop psychology.
