It’s a strange mix of new movies out on DVD this week, but for the most part, it seems pretty clear which ones are worth seeing and which are going to put you to sleep. There are many more politically charged movies out this week than usual, but a good mix of other stuff, too. I recommend Son of Rambow and Chicago 10.  See the rest at your own risk!

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS (2008), Romance/Comedy, PG-13, 99 mins.

Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz star in this romantic comedy as a couple who got married during a wild night in Vegas. Thankfully the movie understands how tired that premise is, so it attempts to complicate matters by intertwining their fates around a multi-million dollar jackpot that prevents them from just annulling the marriage quickly and quietly like Britney Spears did. Required by the courts to continue their marriage for at least six months, they each set about on a mission to make the other so desperate to get out of the marriage that they will request a separation, which includes forfeiture of the prize money. Cameron’s character is a determined career woman, while Kutcher eases through a performance as a perpetual goof-off. ‘Til death do us part, indeed!

But don’t try this at home kids. Your odds of winning millions in Vegas and accidentally marrying Cameron Diaz in the same night remain slim…

REDBELT (2008), Action/Drama, R, 99 mins.

A peaceful martial arts master is manipulated into participating in a highly commercialized ultimate fighting championship by a group of actors and fight promoters, changing his path in life completely. Tim Allen has a lot to prove in this turn from his traditional comedy fare.  Here, he stars as an action movie star with an intensely dysfunctional marriage.

Faced with no options but to get in the ring and fight, the jujitsu master may be in for the fight of his life. It sounds like a typical martial arts movie, but writer/director David Mamet also gave us The Untouchable, Ronin, Heist, and a great many others, so it’s reasonable to expect more.

SON OF RAMBOW (2008), Comedy/Drama, PG-13, 96 mins. “Make Believe. Not War.”

Son of Rambow at first glance looks like a goofy children’s movie, but don’t be fooled. It’s set in England during one summer in the early 80s, and tells the story about friendship and the difficulties of growing up. Told through the eyes of Will, the eldest son of a Plymoth Brethren family that forbids him any contact with such “worldlies” as music and TV, until he becomes involved with Lee Carter, a young man at his school who makes home movies. Carter shows Will Rambo: First Blood, and having never seen a movie, Will is understandably blown away. He quickly agrees to be a stuntman in Carter’s next movie, leading to a reckless adventure through the world of amateur filmmaking and sudden popularity.

I’m always curious about movies that explore the possibilities of filmmaking, and this is one of the purest forms. Filmmaking changes Will’s life completely, and the adventures and difficulties that he and Carter have together make for a fascinating story and a pretty wild ride. See this one.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS OSAMA BIN LADEN? (2008), Documentary, PG-13, 93 mins.

Morgan Spurlock burst into the filmmaking world with a bang back in 2004 with the spectacular documentary Super Size Me, and after various other projects (including the sporadically interesting television series “30 Days”), he has now returned to the documentary world with the almost unnoticed Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden?

Spurlocks left-leaning political tendencies have peeked through in his films before (you remember the scene in Super Size Me where he shows a young boy a picture of George W. Bush and asks him who it is, and the boy says, “Jesus?” “No,” Spurlock replies, “but it’s a good guess!”), but now it seems he has pulled out all the stops.

I think we realize that the quest to locate and capture bin Laden has been largely a failure, but I’m not sure it should be Morgan Spurlock, who has not a lick of military or intelligence experience, who should be making a movie about his own personal search for the man. That’s highly politicized entertainment that can’t really go anywhere.

CHICAGO 10 (2007), Documentary/Animation, R, 110 mins.

This animated documentary uses an unconventional approach to tell the story of eight anti-war protesters who were put on trial for conspiracy following the 1968 Democratic National Convention. It’s a moving story about young Americans demanding to be heard by their next president and being greeted with tear gas, night sticks, and prison in response. Reminds me of the Chinese goverment’s reaction to the students’ protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989. Scary to think that that stuff has happened here too…

In the current, highly polarized political climate, it’s interesting to see something that took place 40 years ago in Chicago in front of a live audience of 50 million that also completely divided the country in two. The story is told using a bold style of animation, extraordinary archive footage, and an intense selection of revolutionary music. See this one, too!

AUGUST (2008), Drama, R, 88 mins.

Taking place in the final month before America was changed forever, August tells the story of two brothers running an online business called Landshark on Wall Street together and struggling to keep it afloat. Like Enron, there is never really much of an explanation of what Landshark is or what they do, it just exists as a plot point and then disappears when it needs to.

The film is unfortunately predictable and the juxtaposition with September 11th turns out to be meaningless, as it has nothing to do with the character change in the movie. It’s about a superficial man trying to cope with a failed company, not trying to realign himself with social realities around him, as you might expect from a film advertised through the very title as taking place just before a national tragedy.

POSTAL (2007), Action/Comedy/Thriller, R, 100 mins.

Here’s a pretty clear warning for you, Postal is written and directed by Uwe Boll, who is widely (and justifiably) considered to be the worst director alive. Personally, I would go a step further and say possibly the worst director who ever lived. IMDB.com lists what might be his two most famous movies, House of the Dead and Alone in the Dark, among the 100 worst movies of all time. You remember those, right? I do. My eyes still hurt from House of the Dead, which, like Postal, is made from a video game.

That being said, it would be a safe and wise assumption that Postal is a great movie to avoid at all costs. If you’re not convinced yet, check this out- it’s about an unemployed regular guy who decides to heist an amusement park, only to discover that the Taliban are planning the same heist. Now he has to “take on” terrorists as well as political figures.

But in the movie’s defense, there’s gotta be a good drinking game in there somwhere.

According to Forbes, Will Smith and Cameron Diaz are on the top of the charts for being the highest paid actors in 2007.

Will Smith brought in $80 million last year, with 10% of that goes to that creepy scientology society of his. Cameron Diaz is the highest paid female actress getting paid $50 million. (Why? I still haven’t been able to figure it out. If I never saw her in another movie for the rest of my life, it would still be too soon).

The 5 most overpaid actors in Hollywood:

1. Will Smith- $80 million
2. Johnny Depp - $72 million
3. Eddie Murphy - $55 million
4. Mike Myers - $55 million
5. Leonardo DiCaprio - $45 million

The 5 most overpaid actresses in Hollywood:

1. Cameron Diaz - $50 million
2. Keira Knightley - $32 million
3. Jennifer Aniston- $27 million
4. Reese Witherspoon - $25 million
5. Gweneth Paltrow - $25 million

Can someone please explain to me why some of these people make so much money? I mean Eddie Murphy hasn’t made a decent movie in like a decade. And although there are still some people still bitter about the Jennifer Aniston/ Brad Pitt break-up, their is no way that Jen should make $27 million while Angie gets a mere $14 million. I would take Angie over Jen any day.

Visit Forbes to check out the rest of the list.

Cameron Diaz graces the cover of Shape’s July issue, on newsstands June 4th.

But if you don’t see it at the check-out counter, don’t be surprised.  She is on the UK edition of the mag.

But she is so great that I wanted to pull out some quotes to share.  She talks about her single life, relationships and exercise in the interview.

On being in her 30s – “Everything gets easier when you get older.  You have a lot more experience and enough restraint to rethink that impulse to behave a certain way, because you know where it’s going to end.  You have a strategy of how to get to a happier place.”
 
On being wiser in relationships – “I think I finally know the way love works best.  Basically, the most important thing it to really know yourself.”
 
On being single – “I love being alone – I love it!  I’m good at it. But not in a weird way, not like leave me alone – it’s just I’m very comfortable by myself.”
 
Her secret to looking so good for her age – “I hike, snowboard and surf.  I admit I do hire a personal trainer as well, but for me working out is a big part of keeping mind and body together.”
 
On her diet – “I eat healthily but love my burgers, and if you put a bowel of French fries near me, then it’s over.  Normally, though, I’ll have a half-order of something and save the leftovers.  I’m queen of leftovers.”
 
Will she still be making movies in 10 years time? – “Whatever I’m doing, I just hope that I’m happy. It might be milking a cow that makes me happy!”

I have always loved Cameron Diaz, she is the most down to earth celebrity.  I love that she has a weakness for burgers and french fries and could maybe see herself milking cows in 1o years!

No Cameron Diaz didn’t pull a Britney and really shave her head. Cameron is sporting a bald cap for her new movie “My Sister’s Keeper,” co-starring with Abigail Breslin and Sofia Vassilieva.

The film is about a girl (Vassilieva) battling leukemia and the strife it causes within the family. Cameron plays the girl’s mom.

This is the same movie that Dakota Fanning was supposed to do, but she pulled out after learning she had to shave her head. The girl that took over for Dakota shaved off all her locks for the role. I think Cameron should have shaved her head to. Doesn’t she want that Oscar?

With the opening of her new movie, What Happens in Vegas, I think it is deserving to go back and reminisce about Cameron Diaz’s funniest movie roles. And yes, she has been in a lot more movies than these, but these are six of her movies I think are the funniest. If you respectfully disagree, then I will understand, but why not read the list now since you’re here!?

In 1994, Cameron burst on the scene playing buxom blonde, Tina Carlyle, in The Mask. This has to be one of her best/over the top entrances in any of her movies.

Granted it was in the ‘90s but I still think she looks amazing. And with Jim Carrey playing the lead, she kept up with his humor and carried her part very well!

A few years later, Cameron played Kimberly Wallace in the 1997 hit, My Best Friend’s Wedding. She was the woman we all were rooting against, but at the same time we couldn’t stop liking her— especially when she sang horrible karaoke. And she played that prissy-but-innocent-yet-snobby character so well it cracked me up!

Then in 1998 she starred in a little movie called There’s Something About Mary. She played Ben Stiller’s high school love Mary Jensen. There are so many funny parts from this movie I can’t pick just one! But I’m pretty sure that everyone can remember their favorite parts from it (the hair gel scene!?!). I think it was in this film that everyone started to take notice of Cameron’s comedic chops.

Cameron then played Natalie Cook in the two Charlie’s Angels movies. Yet again, Cameron showed her funny side, but this time she also kicked some serious butt. Along with Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu, these movies were a refreshing twist on the 70s sitcom.

A change of pace was seen by Cameron in the next slue of movies she starred in. This time around, it was her voice that did the acting. She played Princess Fiona in the Shrek movies. There have been three movies out so far from this franchise with a fourth slotted to come out in 2010. Not only was Cameron hilarious in these movies, but with such great writing, all the characters turned out to be gut-busting. For me, it definitely gave a new spin to all of my favorite childhood fairytales.

The Sweetest Thing is the next funny movie Cameron starred in, alongside Christina Applegate. She played lovelorn Christina Walters, who after finding the man of her dreams, found out he was only visiting in town and had left. So the girls go on a road trip to find the ‘Mr. Right’ and their travels are filled with enough slapstick comedy and dirty jokes to make anyone blush. I have to admit I think this movie is one of her most underrated comedies, but ya can’t win ‘em all I guess!

Now we come to Cameron’s latest undertaking, What Happens in Vegas. She plays Joy McNally, who goes to Vegas after she got dumped. She is starring alongside goofball Aston Kutcher; and, I have already heard people saying this will be the comedic hit of the summer. I obviously don’t know any specific details about the movie, but it comes out in theaters tomorrow so now is your chance to check it out for yourself!

Get prepared to laugh when it hits big screens by watching the trailer below!

It looks like even Hollywood exes can put hard feelings aside. In light of her father’s sudden death, Cameron Diaz received some unanticipated support from two people you wouldn’t expect. Justin Timberlake and John Mayer both attended a memorial service for her late father Sunday held by her family.

Emilio Diaz, 58, died of pneumonia Tuesday morning. On Wednesday, Cameron, 35, thanked everyone for their condolences in a message that read: “His humor and spirit will always live on in our hearts.” And in keeping with that vivacious Diaz family spirit, guests arrived at the memorial service at Mahe in Seal Beach in non-traditional attire. “Most people started arriving at 1:30 and hardly no one wore black,” says a source.”Lots of people were wearing Hawaiian shirts. It looked more like a party.”

Timberlake and Mayer arrived separately and stayed until most people started leaving around 4 p.m., right after Cameron had spoken a few words to the group. I hope their presence made her feel a little better during this mournful time…feel better soon, Cameron!

Cameron Diaz’s father, Emilio Diaz, 58, has passed away this morning from pneumonia. Diaz had been battling the flu, but took a turn for the worse as he developed pneumonia. His death was sudden and unexpected as Diaz was reported to have been in “terrific health” prior to the flu. Emilio Diaz a second generation Cuban American and father of actress Cameron Diaz was a resident of Seal Beach, CA and worked as a oil company foreman. Cameron Diaz was notified of her dad’s death while she was working on the set of her new movie “My Sister’s Keeper.” Production of the movie has temporarily been shut down. No comments have been released by Diaz or her reps.

Cameron Diaz shows off her long legs and admits that she likes being single in the April 2008 issue of British GQ magazine

The 35-year-old chronic dater admits: “I like boys—a lot. I’m boy crazy. That hasn’t changed since I was very young.”

Cameron on intimidating prospective suitors: “I’m a lot of woman—in a lot of ways. And I understand that can be intimidating.”

Cameron on looking for Mr. Right: “When I’m in a relationship I’m very loyal and committed. I give a lot. But it’s been nice not having a boyfriend for the past year. In fact it’s the first time I haven’t had one in ten years and I’m enjoying what I’m getting out of this moment. I could be in a relationship if I wanted to be but I haven’t finished doing what I’m doing.”

on the red carpet with: Anne Hathaway, Cameron Diaz, George Clooney, Harrison Ford, Heidi Klum, Helen Miran, Hillary Swank, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Hudson, Jessica Alba, John McAvoy, Johnny Depp, Kate Blanchett, Katherine Heigl, Keith Urban, Miley Cyrus, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, red carpet, Renee Zellweger