Cannes Film Festival kicks off

Hi, it's Wednesday, May 14, 2008 and I'm Melisse Hinkle with today's UPI Entertainment Update.

The 61st Annual Cannes Film Festival begins today along the French Riviera. Danny Glover, Julianne Moore and Gael Garcia Bernal attended a photocall today for their Brazilian entry called "Blindness." The film's director, Fernando Meirelles, also stepped out for event. "Blindness" is kicking off this year's main competition. Director Steven Spielberg is reportedly expected to return to the festival for the first time since the 1980s. Spielberg will be on hand for the long-awaited premiere of his new movie, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." That premiere is set to take place on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Jack Black is also in Cannes promoting his new movie at the festival. The actor performed at an event to gear up for the world premiere of the animated comedy "Kung Fu Panda." He was joined by the film's producer Melissa Cobb, directors John Stevenson and Mark Osborne, and plenty of stuffed pandas. The "Kung Fu Panda" premiere is scheduled to take place tomorrow.

Back in the U-S, Marissa Jaret Winokur has given America her last rumba on "Dancing With the Stars." Jaret Winokur and her partner Tony Dovolani are the latest couple to be eliminated from the competition after weeks of receiving the lowest scores. The Tony-award-winner said she never thought she would make it this far. Remaining competitors Kristi Yamaguchi, Jason Taylor and Cristian de la Fuente will tackle a freestyle routine in the finals next week.

James Garner is reportedly recovering from surgery. The 80-year-old actor apparently had an operation this week after suffering a minor stroke. The actor's rep says his prognosis is "very positive." Garner starred in two TV series, "Maverick" and "The Rockford Files." He's also known for his roles in films like "The Notebook" and "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood."

And the U.S. Postal Department is honoring music legend Frank Sinatra with a new stamp. The singer's children, Frank Sinatra, Jr. and Nancy Sinatra, spoke at a ceremony in New York yesterday where the stamp was launched. The new postage honors the 10th anniversary of Sinatra's death.

That's it for now. Tune in tomorrow for another UPI Entertainment Update. Have a great day.

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Entertainment

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• cannes
• film
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• blindness
• spielberg
• jack
• black
• marissa
• jaret
• winokur
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• garner
• frank
• sinatra
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[sitedecinema]

Learn how to pronounce Meirelles before sayin' Meré, please.