Realism makes for explosive cinema

Kathryn Bigelow, director of ''The Hurt Locker'' (opening Friday), sees the irony in the fact the lead actors in her film are ''extraordinary actors who will largely be unfamiliar to general audiences.'' But she also has Ralph Fiennes, David Morse and Guy Pearce cast in roles that are not much more than cameos.

Where there's a Jackson will ...

It's hard to believe, but a source close to Joe Jackson -- who is working with him on several new business projects -- says the outspoken patriarch of the Jackson clan may find himself further alienating his estranged wife, Katherine Jackson, and a number of his children.

Doubt over Michael's kids
Just when you think the Michael Jackson case couldn't get any stranger: It does. Various outlets, including tmz.com and Us Weekly, claimed that Jackson's sperm was not used in the in vitro pregnancies leading to the birth of his two oldest children and that Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe was only a surrogate and not the biological mother of Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11.

Jackson family 'horrified' by dad's shameless promotion
Bill Zwecker: Sources backstage Sunday night at the BET Awards tell me even Janet Jackson -- and other Jackson family members -- were "really horrified" when they learned Michael Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, started plugging his new Ranch Records label as he walked the red carpet at the show, which was totally reworked to honor Michael's memory and legacy.

Songs from his last night
Bill Zwecker: Michael Jackson's final rehearsal for his planned London concerts was recorded by state-of-the-art digital equipment and likely will be released soon as both an album and DVD. I've also learned there are discussions about both U.S. and international network broadcasts of the three-hour-plus rehearsal, held at L.A.'s Staples Center the night before Jackson's death Thursday.

Marion Cotillard finds connection with Depp, Chicago
Johnny Depp and Marion Cotillard discovered they had a number of professional things in common as they co-starred in ''Public Enemies,'' but they also knew they could communicate easily in a language besides English. ''Johnny's French is excellent,'' Cotillard said on the red carpet at the recent Chicago premiere of the film.

CD, DVD release likely for Michael Jackson's final rehearsal
Bill Zwecker: Michael Jackson’s final rehearsal for his planned London concerts was recorded by state-of-the-art digital equipment and likely will be released soon as both an album and DVD, the Sun-Times has learned.

Report of Michael Jackson defibrillator denied

LOS ANGELES -- A spokesman for Michael Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, denied Sunday that the superstar's home was equipped with a defibrillator.

'Charlie's' girl and a lot more
Bill Zwecker: "They always have tried to pigeonhole me,'' Farrah Fawcett told this columnist in 1995. ''But somehow, I do keep managing to fool them.'' By the time Ms. Fawcett, 62, died of cancer early Thursday morning at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., it is safe to say she had long since proved her point.

Minnillo jilted by Lachey
Bill Zwecker: Despite all that ''they're still friends'' PR make-nice language, I've learned Vanessa Minnillo was pretty shaken up by her split with longtime boyfriend Nick Lachey. While the former couple has kept things amicable, I understand it was Lachey who was behind the breakup. Seems the singer was a bit concerned about a number of things in their relationship.

Is Tea headed for spill?

Though the reconciliation of David Duchovny and Tea Leoni is absolutely very real, several of Leoni's friends remain concerned she's making a mistake.

Big personality identified with big city
''Frank Sinatra may have sung it, but I always say it too ... Chicago is my kind of town,'' Ed McMahon told the Sun-Times during a local visit in 2007. ''I'm a big guy. Chicago's a big town, with a bigger-than-all-outdoors kind of personality -- even the steaks are bigger here! ''Plus, when people talk to you here, they look you right in the eye. You don't always get that in L.A.''

Madonna & child bonding

After all the months of wrangling and haggling over the adoption of new daughter Mercy from Malawi, Madonna has mapped out a very careful plan for the next few weeks.

'Enemies' face No. 1 fans
Bill Zwecker: The Chicago premiere of filmmaker Michael Mann's ''Public Enemies'' drew hundreds of film fans to the AMC River East 21 theaters on East Illinois Street Thursday night, and judging by the adoring screams, it was clearly due to two men: Johnny Depp and Christian Bale.

Joel marriage got old fast

While Billy Joel and estranged wife Katie Lee are putting a good public spin on their separation, I've learned things are much chillier behind the scenes.

Penn dodges spotlight

Stars' requests for the press to respect their privacy usually have the opposite effect.

Partners in abuse?
Bill Zwecker: When Mary J. Blige's new song "Stronger" leaked out this week, there was some music industry praise for the styling on her duet with Chris Brown, but that pairing has also raised a bit of controversy. While Brown has yet to be convicted of beating Rihanna in that now-infamous Grammy weekend incident, Blige's own past history as a victim of abuse has people grumbling about the timing of her recording with Brown.

Brown is seeing double

While much was made of Rihanna and Chris Brown both attending the NBA finals game last Thursday, it was even more amusing when Brown showed at Sunday night's final game in Orlando, Fla., with a Rihanna look-alike. Until that Rihanna- esque beauty was identified as up-and-coming New York rapper Teyana Taylor, the rumors again started flying about a Brown-Rihanna reconciliation.

Lasers yes, blazers no

George Lucas was not concerned about what he was going to wear Saturday to receive the Gene Siskel Film Center Visionary Award at the Four Seasons Hotel. ''I had to run to Armani to buy him a blazer today,'' quipped Lucas' girlfriend, financial guru Mellody Hobson, smiling over at her billionaire beau -- looking casually comfortable in that blazer and his signature jeans.

Left in scoring position

Apparently, Chicago did play a part in the breakup of Paris Hilton's romance with ex-ballplayer and ''The Hills'' regular Doug Reinhardt.

Spears' secret agent man

As tipped here in early March, that long-simmering, long-secret romance between Britney Spears and her talent agent Jason Trawick is the real deal and now is being confirmed by Trawick himself.

Britney's new agent boyfriend confirms relationship
Bill Zwecker: As tipped here in early March, that long-simmering, long-secret romance between Britney Spears and her talent agent Jason Trawick is now being confirmed by the veteran William Morris exec. According to my best Spears source, ‘‘This is all about Britney finally growing up ... recognizing she needs a mature guy in her life.’’

Billy Ray gets his way

As tipped here in past columns, Billy Ray Cyrus has been concerned about daughter and "Hannah Montana" phenom Miley Cyrus' romance with model and singer Justin Gaston since it took off last summer. Billy Ray was troubled by the nearly five-year age difference between his now-16-year-old daughter and Gaston, 20.

Death threats putting Chris Brown on (body)guard
Bill Zwecker: Like most celebrities — especially those in the world of R&B and rap music — Chris Brown is usually surrounded by bodyguards, anytime he ventures out in public. However, a reliable L.A. source filled me in on the reason Rhianna’s alleged beater-boyfriend has so many folks protecting him these days.

Open to experimenting

Among the sadder -- and stranger -- happenings while I was on vacation last week was the still-unresolved death of David Carradine.

Is there already trouble for Kate Hudson and A-Rod?
Bill Zwecker: Given that it’s only been a few weeks, it’s no surprise the passion is still hot-hot-hot in the relatively new Kate Hudson-Alex Rodriguez romance. But given Hudson’s well-known intense feelings for the guy she’s with (at the moment), a longtime, close associate of the major-league superstar insists clouds will soon form on this affair’s horizon.