Paul Giamatti was intrigued when he received a script the size of Cleveland's phone book for "John Adams" - a seven-hour miniseries - and the word from Executive Producers Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman that they wanted to retain his services in the title role.   PAUL GIAMATTI - Paul Giamatti portrays Founding Father John Adams in the miniseries 'John Adams.' CNS Photo courtesy of Kent Eanes.  A student of history, Giamatti thought the massive project (set ... [full story]

Steve Poltz has discovered that sitting on top of the world - or at least feeling like you are - can sometimes be a simple matter of achieving a clear-eyed perspective ... literally.   STEVE POLTZ - A clear-eyed Steve Poltz tackles his music with new vigor and dedication. CNS Photo courtesy of Conquero.  Headbangin' with Steve Poltz A sensitive troubadour and punk-rock upstart rolled into one, Steve Poltz has long been known for his lively performances. ... [full story]

Many budding and wannabe rock stars alike learned about the music they love by listening to records, the more the better. Having limited access in his small seaside hometown of Sonderborg, Denmark, Sune Rose Wagner turned to books to educate himself about the music that - since 2002 - has made his band, the Raveonettes, the hippest and the most popular international rock 'n' roll export in Danish history.   THE RAVEONETTES - After studying in ... [full story]

For some, Bob Saget will always be "Mr. Tanner," clean-living single dad to three daughters, the sweet star of TV's "Full House," a hit sitcom that ran for eight seasons beginning in the late '80s.   TRUE BLUE - There are some who think Bob Saget's standup comedy is for the birds. On this photo, he said 'I feel badly for the bird, but (expletive) happens when you're sitting around on a shoot.' CNS Photo courtesy ... [full story]

"Ruby leaned down, pinched the rattlesnake behind the jaw, flipped it over and milked its venom sacs. Its rattler buttons ticked like a Timex gone haywire. She reached for the deadbolt on the back door. The snake's tail flopped and the rattler buttons shook. The slick scales felt loose between her fingers, so she tightened her grip, enraging the rattlesnake even more. Once she got the door open, she flung the rattler with all her ... [full story]

Occasionally, big-screen comics like to take on more serious movie roles that allow them to flex their acting muscles in new ways. Jim Carrey has done those kinds of films, but right now he is working with his funny bone, starring in the family comedy "Horton Hears a Who!"   JIM CARREY - Jim Carrey is the voice behind Horton in the new animated movie 'Horton Hears a Who!' CNS Photo courtesy of Blue Sky Studios.  If ... [full story]

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau was nursing his morning cup of coffee on a cold, blustery day last year at his warm and cozy home in a small village on the outskirts of Copenhagen, Denmark, when his London agent called with most excellent news.   NIKOLAJ COSTER-WALDAU - Nikolaj Coster-Waldau plays ace NYPD homicide detective John Amsterdam in the cop drama 'New Amsterdam.' CNS Photo courtesy of Julie Dennis-Brothers.  She had just heard that Swedish film director Lasse Hallstrom ("Chocolat," ... [full story]

IRVINE, Calif. - Before Pixar, before LucasFilms, even before Claymation, Hollywood magic emanated from the mind and craftwork of Ray Harryhausen. The titles of the movies on the resume of this stop-motion-animation pioneer evoke childhood sensations of awe and amazement: "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad." "Jason and the Argonauts." "One Million Years B.C." "The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms." "It Came From Beneath the Sea."   MAN BEHIND STOP-MOTION - Ray Harryhausen was the stop-motion special effects ... [full story]

Will Ferrell is finally putting his college education to good use. One of the biggest recent megastars to graduate from the ranks of "Saturday Night Live," Ferrell first graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in sports information. And for the past four years, Ferrell has been poking fun at the sports world on the big screen.   WILL FERRELL - Will Ferrell is Jackie Moon, the owner-coach-player of a basketball team in ... [full story]

During its days as a British colony, much of India's art history remained hidden. The rediscovery of historical work at archaeological sites beginning in the 1850s was a spur to surging pride in Indian culture.   INDIAN ICON - In Nandalal Bose's 'New Clouds,' (1937) the girls moving through a grove established a subtle visual rhythm. CNS Photo courtesy of National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.  A young artist named Nandalal Bose was deeply affected by ... [full story]

LOS ANGELES -- Patrick Swayze's publicist said the Hollywood actor is responding well to his treatment for pancreatic cancer, contrary to reports saying he is near death.   Swayze at Guys and Dolls photocall in London - UPI photo The National Enquirer reported Wednesday that Swayze was diagnosed in January with pancreatic cancer that has spread to other organs. The tabloid stated he has been undergoing treatment, but was only expected to live five more weeks. The New ... [full story]

"God's Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question - Why We Suffer" by Bart Ehrman; HarperOne; $26. The more New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman studied the Bible, the less he believed in God.   'GOD'S PROBLEM' - The more New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman studied the Bible, the less he believed in God. Ehrman is the author of a new book, 'God's Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important ... [full story]

Called to jury duty on a hot, smoggy, summer day in 2007, Bitsie Tulloch sighed, then loaded up on reading material before reporting at 8 a.m. in the cavernous holding area for prospective jurors at the massive Superior Court of California facility in downtown Los Angeles.   BITSIE TULLOCH - Bitsie Tulloch plays Dylan, the star of the Web log drama 'quarterlife.' CNS Photo courtesy of Elisabeth Caren.  After four excruciatingly boring hours of reading, re-reading and ... [full story]