Here’s the thing about Kenny Ortega. He doesn’t really look like a smash-hit choreographer. He looks like a plumber. Or maybe an accountant. Come on, you know you’re thinking it, too.
But he’s obviously a genius because he’s got the likes of “High School Musical” and “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” to his name, not to mention a whole bunch of other box office hits.
Now he’s attached to direct Universal’s adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical “In the Heights.” The story follows three days in New York City’s Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights, and features hip-hop, salsa, merengue and …read more

Zac Efron is out and about promoting his film, “Me and Orson Welles,” which premieres in NYC this week.
He’s looking good, isn’t he? Different from his “High School Musical” days. Older, I guess, but then, he IS getting older.
In “Me and Orson Welles” Efron plays a teenager cast in the Mercury Theatre production of “Julius Caesar,” directed by a young Orson Welles (Christian McKay) in 1937. 
Directed by Richard Linklater, it also stars Ben Chaplin, Claire Danes and Eddie Marsan. It’s rated PG-13 for sexual references and smoking.
Image: Fame Pictures

It didn’t take long to get “This Is It” fast-tracked into theaters following Michael Jackson’s recent death. The film opens on Oct. 28, 2009, for a limited two-week run. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at the pop star as he developed and rehearsed for concerts that would have taken place beginning this summer in London’s O2 Arena.
Kenny Ortega, the man behind “High School Musical” and Miley Cyrus’ concert film, is directing this film, which is being produced by Randy Phillips, Kenny Ortega and Paul Gongaware. Executive producers are John Branca and John McClain.
I’m curious to see this film, …read more

Movie: Bandslam * Gecko Preview *  Official Site
In Theaters: Aug. 14, 2009

Runtime: 111 minutes
Directed by: Todd Graff; Produced by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas

MPAA Rating: PG for some thematic elements and mild language
Gecko Rating:

I take back my earlier thoughts about "Bandslam." If, like me, you were expecting something akin to "High School Musical," you’d be dead wrong!
Yes, there’s a teensy bit of sap in this movie, but nothing like the volume offered up in Disney’s HSM. This is Summit Entertainment, after all, which automatically kicks it to a different level. The soundtrack includes Lou Reed’s "Femme Fatale" and Steve …read more

Zac Efron may be moving beyond Disney-type movies, but it seems like his girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens is sticking with the tried-and-true formula.
Hudgens ("High School Musical") and Alyson Michalka ("Phil of the Future," "Aly and AJ") are starring in "Bandslam," due in theaters Aug. 14, 2009. Michalka plays a gifted singer-songwriter who recruits a new kid in town (Gaelan Connell, "Chocolat") to manage her rock band. Her main motivation? Go up against her egotistical ex-boyfriend (Scott Porter, "Friday Night Lights") and his band at a battle of the bands competition. Meanwhile, Sam (Hudgens) and Will find romance.
My first …read more

Vanessa Hudgens is moving beyond “High School Musical” with several new roles. And they sound like quite a diversion from HSM!
She’s signed for the teen romance “Beastly,” a film based on an Alex Flinn novel about a vain New York teen who’s made to look ugly in order to find true love. Sort of a reverse version of “Penelope.” Daniel Barnz has signed to direct.
Hudgens was also recently cast in an all-girl action flick “Sucker Punch,” co-written and directed by Zack Snyder (“300” and “Watchmen”). Kind of a different role for her, but you know, good for her.

While the rest of us turned off the tube and went to bed after the 2009 Oscars ended, the stars in Hollywood were just getting started.
E! caught up with High School Musical’s Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, who dished about how nerve-wracking their Oscar duet was, and what it was like being on stage with host Hugh Jackman. These two are such a cute couple. I hope they stay together for a while.

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The youngsters are taking over the Oscars this year! And it’s just days away! ABC’s live telecast from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre will air this Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET.
Robert Pattinson, the hunky vampire Edward Cullen in "Twilight" and the upcoming "New Moon," will be presenting, though I haven’t heard which award it will be. Also no word on whether his co-star, Kristen Stewart, will be by his side. Next up for the 22-year-old British actor is "Little Ashes," in which he’ll play artist Salvador Dali.
Also at …read more

Vanessa Hudgens, Disney cutie and star of the “High School Musical” movies, reportedly auditioned for a role in “New Moon,” the upcoming sequel to last year’s smash-hit vampire flick “Twilight.” 
But it’s unlikely she’ll get the part – at least for now.
"I’m not sure about [final] casting, but I had heard Vanessa Hudgens was going up for the part of Leah [Clearwater, a werewolf]," screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, who wrote both films, told PEOPLE at the Directors Guild of America Awards in L.A. Saturday night. "But at the moment, the part of Leah doesn’t happen until the third movie."
Ok, …read more

Rumors are swirling that Vanessa Hudgens, cutie from the "High School Musical" movies might be close to signing as the character of Leah in "New Moon."
Wow, I really can’t see her in the role at all. What do you guys think about this? Maybe I need to stop thinking of her in terms of the HSM movies, since those are pretty much a done deal. I mean, she has to move on, right?
The "Twilight" sequel is in the works, with Chris Weitz in as director and filming scheduled to begin in March. Look for the vampire movie …read more