Tony Leung, in the Mood for Kung Fu

Like many boys growing up in Hong Kong, Tony Leung was a fan of Bruce Lee from a young age.But it wasn't until he played the kung fu master's teacher that he understood the man—or kung fu, for that matter.In "The Grandmaster," opening in New York on Friday, Mr. Leung plays Ip Man, the martial-arts master who taught a core group of disciples, including Lee. Ip Man, who was raised in Southern China but later moved to Hong Kong, isn't as well-known as Lee stateside, but he too has been immortalized in film, most notably by Donnie Yen in 2008's "Ip Man."

To create an original interpretation, Mr. Leung took a tip from "Grandmaster" director and longtime collaborator Wong Kar-wai (this is their seventh film together): Blend the master teacher with the master student.

"When you look at the books of Bruce Lee or his letters and interviews, a lot of his inspiration came from Ip Man," Mr. Wong said. "I think it's a very good approach to show the audience where the inspiration came from. Who made Bruce Lee who he was?"

As a result, Mr. Leung studied not only Ip Man's martial-arts technique—suffering a broken arm twice during training—he also read Lee's extensive writings. "It helped me not to just have the look of a grandmaster, but have the state of mind and the soul of the grandmaster," he said.

Though no stranger to demanding roles (he played a cuckolded man drawn toward a neighbor in "In the Mood for Love," then a political agent entangled with a spy in Ang Lee's NC-17-rated "Lust, Caution"), Mr. Leung had plenty of time to prepare for "Grandmaster." He began kung fu training over a year before production, and shooting stretched out over three years.

He spoke with the Journal about staying in character over that period, nonviolent action scenes and how a sickly-looking Mr. Wong helped him press on. Excerpts from the conversation:

Simon Cowell He'll Pay Dearly For Love Child

 

The friend Simon Cowell betrayed wants out of his marriage STAT ... because he thinks his wife is a starf**ker who doesn't need any money from him because she'll get a ton of cash from Simon ... sources close to the couple tell TMZ.

Our sources say Andrew Silverman is gunning for primary custody of their 7-year-old son because Lauren is deficient as a parent ... often disappearing for long periods of time to hang with celebs.  We're told Andrew found out of her affair with Simon this Spring, and was shocked when he saw a pic on TMZ Friday ... showing Simon and Lauren kissing in August, 2012, on a boat HE chartered.

We're told there is a prenup and the money issues in the divorce are "minor."  The real issue is custody.  As one source said, aside from the fact that Andrew doesn't think Lauren is a very good parent, there's an element of revenge for being utterly humiliated.

We're told all 3 people in the relationship want the divorce to happen ASAP.  Simon feels it's a disaster for his TV show and public image.  As for Lauren and Andrew, they both agree on one thing ... Simon pays well.  They both expect Simon will do what he's done with his other girlfriends -- open up the vault.

Behind enemy lines AND THE RULES OF INGGAGEMENT.

Men are forking out a sizeable chunk of cash for lessons in how to attract women

It's 10pm on a Saturday night and the air is filled with chatter, the clink of ice cubes and the heady smell of booze, aftershave and hairspray.

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Rules of the dating world  

All around us people are chilling out on sofas, laughing and unwinding in the outdoor drinks area of a bustling Temple Bar hotel – but at my table the vibe is a little different.

Chrissie Russell observes as Stephen Nolan instructs Hugh O'Neill and Mark Boland.

For a start no one's drinking, and three of the group of five guys are wearing expressions not dissimilar to the soldiers in the boats at the start of Saving Private Ryan.

"It's time to make An Approach," one of them announces authoritatively, "I'm putting one of you into The Set."

The atmosphere bristles with anticipation as the three nervous looking lads shuffle and look around them, wondering what direction their fate lies.

It all feels a bit like preparing for war, but then love is a battlefield and, tonight, I'm behind enemy lines.

The evening is part of a guys-only dating service that offers men not only hours of theory training in the art of attracting women but also 'in field' training in Dublin's social scene where they can put the theory into action.

For the first time, I'm getting a unique perspective on what guys on the pull learn from a business that guarantees clients will "get good with women" or give them their money back.

Since starting in 2008, Kama Lifestyles (kamalifestyles.com) has had more than one thousand men through its dating boot camps, confidence courses and one-on-one tutorials.

Jennifer Aniston "having IVF"

Jennifer Aniston is reportedly having fertility treatment.

The actress has been engaged toJustin Theroux for almost a year and has recently been seen sporting a rounder looking stomach.

New reports claim the 44-year-old star has started In vitro fertilisation(IVF) treatment.

“She definitely seemed to have gained some weight,” an eyewitness from the set of Jennifer’s latest movie Squirrels to the Nuts, which is filming in New York City, told In Touch magazine.

“According to new reports, Jen has begun IVF treatments, and if all goes as planned, she will be pregnant by her 45th birthday on February 11. She held her script right in front of her stomach.”

Insiders claim Jennifer has started to show side effects from the IVF treatment.

The source added that the Friends actress is aware of her window of opportunity if she wants to have a baby naturally.

“She wasn’t as chipper as she has been,” a witness said about her on-set mood.

“She knows the clock is ticking – she’s well aware of it. She’s also done her homework. She’s explored all methods for having a baby and knows what her options are with IVF. She’s educated herself.”

Apparently Jennifer is handling the stress of conceiving well. The source added that Justin is also growing increasingly broody as time goes on.

“There is no desperation. If it’s meant to be, it’s mean to be,” the insider finished.

“Justin didn’t always want kids, but his life with Jen changed his perspective on being a dad.”

Jennifer also recently revealed she thinks she and fiancé Justin Theroux would make great parents.

The Friends star told Us Glamour magazine that she thought they had all of the qualities needed to bring up children well.

She said: "[Justin] has extremely amazing paternal instincts. Because [growing up] he had to sort of become the parent. I think when you have to become the parent when you're a younger person, you learn those instincts."

Kim Kardashian Makes First Post-Baby Appearance on Kris Jenner's Talk Show

Lovely to see you, Kim Kardashian!

On Friday, the new mom made her first post-baby public appearance on mom Kris Jenner's talk show.

Kris, joined by cohost Diddy for the day, had no idea North West's mom was planning to surprise her on air.

VIDEO: Kim catches trespassing paparazzo in yard, mama Kris chases them down!

"Hi, Mom! I just wanted to say hi," Kim said, joining the duo via satellite. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there…I'm loving life a little bit too much right now!"

And while she understandably has her hands pretty full these days, Kim would never miss mom's show. "I watch you every single day," she said. "You are so amazing. You really are born to do this. I just wanted to say I love you, and have an amazing show."

Although Kris was too moved at that moment to chat, she did talk earlier in the show about how Kim's shedding those pregnancy pounds.

VIDEO: Kris introduces North West's baby double

Telling Diddy he was "reading way too many tabloids" if he thought Kim had completely "snapped back" to her pre-baby size, Kris said the 32-year-old first-time mom was definitely losing weight.  "The good news is she's eating really well, and she's working out a little bit and she's nursing," said Kris. "She's doing all the right things to get back to a healthy place."

Healthy, happy and loving life! Sounds like a plan.

Robin Thicke Had Really Bad Long Hair in 2002, Proving He Wasn't Always Super Sexy

Years before he looked supersexy in his "Blurred Lines" music video, Robin Thicke had really bad long hair.

Back in 2002, the now 36-year-old hunk went through a pretty embarrassing phase where he sported long, shoulder length hair à la '90s grunge rock style.

And we wouldn't be surprised if he got mistaken for Creed singer Scott Stapp every now and then.

PICS: Blonde or brunette?

But who doesn't go through a bad hair phase in their lifetime, right?

Thankfully, 11 years later, Thicke now has a perfectly coiffed, gravity-defying hairdo (that looks amazingly thick, if we do say so) and he couldn't be sexier.

We'd let him—and his hair—sing to us anytime!

Penelope Cruz names baby daughter Luna

Hollywood stars Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem have named their baby daughter Luna Encinas Cruz.

The couple welcomed their second child into the world on the same day Kate Middleton and Prince William celebrated the birth of Prince George last month.

According to Spanish publication Vanitatis, proud dad Javier was spotted registering his daughter’s birth with the name. 

Cruz and Bardem are known to be particularly private about their personal lives and have reportedly signed a confidentiality agreement with doctors so nothing gets leaked to the media.

It took more than a year for the actress to reveal her first son’s name was Leonardo.

The couple wed in 2010, three years after they began dating

Ellen DeGeneres to host Oscars 2014

Ellen DeGeneres is returning as the host of the Oscars in 2014.

The talk show host and comedienne, who hosted the ceremony in 2006, will preside over the 86th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 2, 2014.

Ellen quipped: "I am so excited to be hosting the Oscars for the second time. You know what they say - the third time's the charm."

She also joked on Twitter: "It's official: I'm hosting the #Oscars! I'd like to thank @TheAcademy, my wife Portia and, oh dear, there goes the orchestra."

Seth MacFarlane hosted the ceremony last year and has said he is too busy to return.

The Family Guy creator earned mixed reviews for his first outing as Oscars host in February, with accusations that some of his material was sexist.

Billy Crystal returned to host the Hollywood film awards for the ninth time in 2011 while in 2010 James Franco and Anne Hathaway's musical take on the ceremony proved a flop.

Ex model wife of musician Jack White granted restraining order

The estranged wife of rocker Jack White has filed a restraining order against him after she said in their divorce filings he was threatening her and she fears for her safety and her children's.

British model and singer Karen Elsonmarried Jack in 2005 in Nashville and they have two children. They separated in 2011 and she filed for divorce last year.

Karen filed for a temporary restraining order on July 17. It was approved by a judge pending a court hearing on August 29. The order was first reported by the Nashville City Paper.

She said in the filing that Jack has a violent temper, sends her emails laced with profanity and calls her derogatory names.

A publicist for the singer said there was no immediate comment.

Bethenny Frankel Feels Nothing For New Jersey 'Housewife'

Former “Real Housewives of New York” star Bethenny Frankel feels no sympathy for her Jersey “Housewives” counterpart, Teresa Giudice, who along with her husband, was indicted on 39 counts, including bank and bankruptcy fraud on Monday.

My first thought today was, ‘Oh, if they weren’t on reality TV, none of this would probably ever be exposed.’ And it’s just funny how certain people are [like a] moth to a flame,” she told Us Weekly. “It’s almost like – not that you want to get caught – but people who love to be in the spotlight often have a lot of skeletons in their closet. It’s just an interesting thing.”

“I haven’t paid that much attention,” Frankel explained. “Do I feel sorry for them? No, I don’t. Not so much, because it broke the law. You broke the law and you went on television. That’s not really that smart.”

Frankel, founder of the Skinny Girl low-cal drink empire, was attending a TCA tour panel at the Beverly Hills SLS Hotel to promote her new talk show, “Bethenny.”

But Frankel, mother to 3-year-old daughter Bryn with soon-to-be ex-husband Jason Hoppy, does feel bad for the Giudices’ four kids. “I feel badly for them because they have kids,” she added, “and their kids didn’t sign up for this.”

According to the Huffington Post, the couple allegedly submitted fraudulent information to secure loans between 2001 through 2008, and failed to disclose business assets and earnings (including returns from “Real Housewives”) when they declared bankrupcy in 2009.

The Giudices were released on $500,000 bail and are due back in court on August 14.

Joe Giuduce, who isn’t an American citizen and reportedly didn’t file tax returns from 2004 to 2008, could be deported back to Italy. If convicted, the couple faces up to 50 years in prison.

Jennifer Aniston Disses Katie Couric: "Is She a Legitimate Journalist?"

Jennifer Aniston has never appreciated people prying into her personal life -- least of all Katie Couric, who hosts her own syndicated daytime talk show. During a July 31 appearance on E!'s Chelsea Lately, Aniston dissed the 56-year-old TV personality and debunked a recent tabloid rumor about life with Justin Theroux.

Aniston's BFF Chelsea Handler began by reading an except from a recent magazine article which claimed the couple are nudists: "Jen's started to embrace her curves at home since longtime lover, nudist Justin, has persuaded her to join in on the fun," the comedienne read. "She was hesitant at first but now she finds it extremely liberating and they spend entire days at home without any clothes on and even cook naked."

PHOTOS: Jennifer Aniston's Us Weekly covers

Theroux's fiancee rolled her eyes and asked, "What are you reading? Star magazine? We don't walk around nude, darling."

Handler then told Aniston, "I've seen Justin nude, I hope you know that." The We're the Millers star laughed and replied, "Yeah, well, that's because you barge into places you shouldn't be. But he's comfortable enough in his skin." In regards to the Star story, Aniston clarified, "That's not true. It's B.S."

PHOTOS: Jennifer Aniston's hair through the year

Handler then admitted to Aniston that it's difficult being friends with someone so famous. "Katie Couric was asking me on her show about your wedding and I had to act like I didn't even know you were engaged because I didn't know that was out," she explained. "Then she was like, 'Well, everyone knows about it!' So, I felt really stupid."

PHOTOS: Katie Couric's hair evolution

Clearly annoyed, Aniston, 44, asked, "What's Katie Couric? Is she a legitimate journalist? Is she getting tabloidy? Wasn't she on the Today show?"

"She was on the Today show," said Handler, who accompanied Couric to the White House Correspondents Dinner in May 2010. "She got a demotion to her own show."

"Sharknado" plays in Virginia and Maryland theaters

WASHINGTON (WJLA) - If you live in Northern Virginia or Maryland, your local movie theater could be in for a shark attack. The SyFy mega-hit "Sharknado" will grace selected movie screens at midnight.

"Sharknado" has become a classic-campy success for the SyFy channel. And now, as part of it's ongoing 15 minutes of fame, a one-time showing of the flick is taking place at Regal, Edwards, and UA Cinemas across the U.S.

The Washington Post has a list of the the Virginia and Maryland theaters showing "Sharknado".

Pregnant! Megan Fox Expecting Baby No. 2 with Brian Austin Green

Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green’s family is going to be getting a bit bigger! 

Just ten months after giving birth to baby boy Noah, a rep confirms that the new mommy is pregnant again! 

Megan Fox: Giving Birth to Baby Noah Helped Me Face My OCD

"I can confirm Megan is expecting her second child with her husband Brian, they are both very happy," the rep exclusively tells Page Six.

The media outlet is reporting that the 27-year-old’s pregnancy is in its early stages. She was hoping to keep the news quiet so it didn’t interfere with her current project – Michael Bay’s newest action flick Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

A Pregnant Megan Fox Strips Down To Lingerie For Sharper Image Campaign

Megan and Brian, 40, tied the knot in 2010 after dating for six years. The brunette bombshell gave birth to son Noah in September 2012. The former 90210 star also has an 11-year-old son, Kassius, from his previous relationship with actress Vanessa Marcil. 

Shortly after having her son, Megan revealed she wanted to have more children and give Noah siblings.

“I’ve never been validated by work or fame or Hollywood or any of that. I recognize the blessings when they come – like, I recognize I’m so lucky to work with Judd [Apatow] – but the ultimate satisfaction for me is being with my son," the This Is 40 star shared. "I just want to give Noah as much of myself as I can. And I want to have more kids. That is where my heart is.”

Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green Welcome Baby Noah Shannon

Congratulations to the happy family! 

Simon Cowell Swamped With Baby Questions At X-Factor Press Conference

The X Factor judge was quizzed over whether he was a father-to-be with his friend's wife.

Simon Cowell, rumoured to be having a baby with married New York socialite Lauren Silverman, has kept zipped over whether he is responsible for her 10 week pregnancy. The X Factor judge was present at a press conference ahead of the new US series of the talent contest, reports The Independent, but the question on everyone's minds was the 53 year-old's personal life.

Reports have recently circulated that Lauren Silverman, a socialite married to a property tycoon, is 10 weeks pregnant with Cowell's unborn child. The pair met through Andrew Silverman, a real estate businessman and Cowell's friend, on holiday in Barbados several years ago. A friendship was fostered between the couple and the infamously grouchy talent judge and they invited him to spend time on their yacht with Mrs. Silverman becoming recognised as his "closest confidante" in his large group of female friends.

Lauren and Andrew, who have a 7 year-old son together, divorced a fortnight ago, with Cowell's name cited as a co-respondent on the legal documents, meaning he'll probably be called to court as a witness in their divorce trial and may also mean he'll need to disclose the details of his fortune, rumoured to be in the area of $350 million (£230.3m).

Furthermore, Cowell himself is apparently preparing a strong legal defence to protect said fortune from being taken away for child maintenance. A now-single Lauren has apparently now told friends that she wants to marry the music industry heavyweight.

At the press conference ahead of the new X Factor USA in Los Angeles, a coy Cowell was asked if his schedule would be affected by being a father; to which he replied cryptically: "I really haven't read the newspapers. Did I miss anything?" adding, "Unfortunately, I have to keep this, for the moment, private. It's just one of those things. Thank you very much anyway."

The problem is, the music mogul has previously voiced his distaste for both babies and marriages, saying he'd go "Nuts" if he had kids running about the place in a 2009 interview, reported by The Daily Mail: "I couldn't have children. If I had them here drawing on the walls I'd go nuts. With kids, you've got a routine you can't escape from." He also told The Telegraph earlier this year that marriage isn't a high priority for him: "when no matter how big your house is, you are going to end up on the same sofa, in the same bed or in the same room as a person, you are going to get bored. It's a boring routine."

Cowell doesn't seem to have colluded with this mother Julie on the matter, with her hearing therumoured news from The Sun first: "I've not heard anything officially. But if it's true then I'm absolutely delighted. It's wonderful! He'll make a fantastic father. He'll be great."