Misunderstood
Stockholm, Sweden -- Filmmaker Oliver Stone, whose "Alexander" got a lukewarm reception from critics in America, said Thursday he thought the three-hour epic would get a better welcome in Europe.
Stone visited the Stockholm International Film Festival to pick up a lifetime achievement award and promote "Alexander," which was having its European premiere in Stockholm.
"I think one of the reasons I am being honored here in Sweden is that (Europeans) tend to see me a little differently than they do in the U.S.," Stone told reporters.
He said the film "is not an easy movie, but then I've never made easy movies." His previous films include "JFK," "Born on the Fourth of July" and "Platoon."
The Journal-World's entertainment editor, Jon Niccum, gave "Alexander" zero stars.
Coming up for air
New York -- Since becoming the king of the world seven years ago with "Titanic," James Cameron has spent much of his time in the underwater world, making 3-D documentaries about his deep-sea explorations.
But the director is returning to science fiction with "Battle Angel," a three-dimensional movie set in the 26th century.
Cameron, who also directed "Aliens" and the first two "Terminator" movies, told The Associated Press he's in preproduction now and expects to start shooting in May or June. The film will take two years to make and will include about 1,500 visual effects shots.
"It's based on a series of graphic novels done by a Japanese artist called Kishiro," Cameron said.
Survey blasts 'Baywatch'
London -- "Baywatch" was voted the worst-ever U.S. television import in a British survey released Thursday.
The same survey ranked the 25 best U.S. imports, with "The Simpsons," "Dallas," "MASH," "24" and "The Larry Sanders Show" leading the pack.
"Baywatch," the sun-bleached saga of California lifeguards starring Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff, was once ranked the world's most popular program, with viewers in 140 countries.
Broadcast magazine's poll of about 20 TV program buyers acknowledged the appeal of the sexy "Baywatch" cast but said its scripts suffered from "mind-numbing predictability: beachgoer is saved from drowning."
The rest of the Bottom Ten: "The Anna Nicole Show," "The Dukes of Hazzard," "Wild Palms," "Manimal," "The Jerry Springer Show," "Knots Landing," "Falcon Crest," "The Bold and the Beautiful" and "Extreme Makeover."
Sounds greek to us
New York -- It's "The Bachelor" meets "Animal House" on a new reality TV show from the maker of, um, "The Bachelor."
Premiering Dec. 15 on the WB, "Big Man on Campus" is a six-episode dating reality show set at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla. The show, executive produced by Mike Fleiss, follows 15 girls competing for the love of one man, so-dubbed the "Big Man on Campus."
"These are 15 of the hottest girls you will ever see," Fleiss told The Associated Press recently.
Once selected, the "Big Man on Campus" will get to know the 15 women through a series of dates and challenges, eliminating them one by one by asking them to return fraternity-style "pins."
Birthday: Tina Turner
Singer Tina Turner is 65. Actress Kristin Bauer ("Two and a Half Men") is 31. Actress Maia Campbell is 28. Country singer Joe Nichols is 28. Actress Jessica Bowman is 24. Singer Lil Fizz is 19.
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