FRONT PAGE I TABLE OF CONTENTS OF MAY ISSUE I COMMENTARIES AND ARTICLES I USA NEWS I WORLD NEWS I MIDDLE EAST NEWS I  NEW YORK SCENE I LIFESTYLE I PEOPLE, SOCIETY  AND EVENTS I ARTS I ENTERTAINMENT I CULTURE I BOOKS I MUSIC AND CDs I EVE WORLD I LETTERS TO THE EDITOR I PERSONAL HISTORY  I APRIL ISSUE I MARCH ISSUE I  FEBRUARY  ISSUE I JANUARY ISSUE I  CONTACT I EDITORIAL STAFF I SUBSCRIPTION I TO ADVERTISE I

New York Monthly Herald. May 2006 Issue P. 1 Continues on P. 2

People, Society, Events

Sharon Stone doesn't mind doing nude scenes

Photo: Sharon Stone admitted she doesn't mind doing nude scenes in films like her new release, Basic Instinct 2.

Sharon Stone, who returns as the seductive Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct 2, says she has no problem doing a nude scene — if it's right for the role. "It's pretty easy for me to be naked," the 48-year-old actress said.  "I'm a person who feels that if it's appropriate for the character I'm playing or the mood of the piece, then it's no big thing." Stone is famously known for her leg crossing scene in 1992's Basic Instinct, which also starred Michael Douglas. The actress said she wouldn't object to her children seeing the movies — but added that it's not going to be anytime soon. "When they're old enough to see that kind of material, then they're old enough to see that kind of material," said Stone, who has two young sons. Stone, who was nominated for a best actress Oscar for 1995's Casino, said she was happy that she didn't try to lie about her age to get roles after she turned 40. "You have to give them you until you is what they want," she said. Basic Instinct 2 will be released later this month. Stone was in Berlin to promote the movie.

Actor Sheen denies abusing wife

Photo: Denise Richards filed for divorce from Sheen in December 2005.

Actor Charlie Sheen has denied that he abused and threatened to kill estranged wife Denise Richards, accusing her of waging a "transparent smear campaign".

 


 His comments followed the issuing of a restraining order forbidding the actor to go within 300ft (90m) of Richards and their two daughters. Sheen said the abuse allegations were "a heinous document of fiction" meant to "torpedo" and "discredit" him. It was, he said, "clearly a departure from sound, sane co-parenting". In an interview to be broadcast on Monday on US TV's Entertainment Tonight program, the 40-year-old said he wanted to "move forward... and focus on my children".

'Threatening manner': He claimed his ex-wife's charges against him were "a reaction to a failed marriage" and were intended to "undermine my perception as a responsible father". Sheen, best known for his roles in the films Platoon and Wall Street, met Richards while filming in 2000. The couple wed in 2002 and have two children, Sam and Lola. The relationship collapsed in March 2005, shortly before Lola's birth. In a written declaration filed last week in Los Angeles Superior Court, Richards claimed she could "no longer accept (Sheen's) abusive and threatening manner". The actor has been granted the right to see his two daughters under supervision one day a week.  Makers of The Spirit of John Lennon claim the musician said "peace... the message is peace" during the 90-minute show on a British TV. The show - which cost $9.95  to watch - was made without the consent of Lennon's estate or his widow Yoko Ono. It was branded "tacky" by Ono's friend and spokesman, Elliot Mintz.

TV psychics claim Lennon contact

Photo: John Lennon was shot dead in New York in 1980,

Psychics claim to have made contact with late Beatle John Lennon in a controversial pay-per-view TV séance broadcast. Makers of The Spirit of John Lennon claim the musician said "peace... the message is peace" during the 90-minute show, which was broadcast on a British TV program.. The show - which cost $9.95  to watch - was made without the consent of Lennon's estate or his widow Yoko Ono. It was branded "tacky" by Ono's friend and spokesman, Elliot Mintz.

Paranormal activity: "A pay-per-view séance was never his style," Mr. Mintz said of Lennon. The séance, which formed part of the show, was filmed at La Fortuna restaurant in New York, which Lennon frequented. TV crew members, a psychic and an expert in paranormal activity claimed Lennon's spirit made contact with them through what is described as an Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP). EVP is based on a belief that spirit voices communicate through radio and TV broadcast signals. Organisers claim psychic Joe Power's voice feed went dead for a few seconds and the message was found on it when the tape of the voice feed was played back. Sandra Belanger, an "EVP specialist", was called in to examine the voice and proclaimed it Lennon's. Producer Paul Sharratt, of Starcast Productions, said hearing the voice has made him a believer. "I am a dyed-in-the-wool sceptic by nature, but have been simply amazed at what we have seen and heard during the filming of this special," he said. Lennon was shot by a deranged fan outside his New York home in 1980.  Continues on P. 2