A hoax? Joaquin Phoenix film gets viewers guessing (Reuters)

Reuters – Whether a hoax or not, a new documentary about Joaquin Phoenix and his transition from acclaimed, brooding actor to bearded, shambolic hip-hop wannabe has captivated viewers at the Venice film festival.

Kourtney Kardashian "Would Love to Open" a Boutique in NYC

Kourtney and Khloe Take Manhattan?

With her sights set on the Big Apple, Kourtney Kardashian says she hopes to follow up the success of her family’s DASH boutiques in Miami and Calabasas, Calif. by opening a third store in NYC.

PHOTOS: Kourtney’s hot bikini body

“I would love to open a DASH [there],” Kardashian, 31, tells Cupcake Mag. “That would be the next goal. New York exudes fashion. It is the place for everything and anything fashion in America, so it is the next natural place to open a DASH. I am hoping to make this dream come true — as if I don’t have enough going on already, especially being a new mom.”

VIDEO: Scott Disick and Kourtney visit a therapist

The oldest Kardashian sibling — whose first book, Kardashian Konfidential, hits shelves just after Thanksgiving — admits that her style has evolved since giving birth to son Mason, 8 and 1/2 months.

“I like to get down on the floor and play with him, so you can imagine this to be hard in a tight dress,” she says. “I’m all about throwing on some jean shorts and a white t shirt and not spending as much time getting ready…for now anyway!”

PHOTOS: Stars’ mommy lifesavers!

What wardrobe staple does the E! reality star rely on most?

“The perfect white, boyfriend button-down shirt,” she says. “Classic, amazing with jeans, pants, shorts, even over a bikini open with the sleeves rolled up!”

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Miley Cyrus: Another Busy Day in Paris

Making the most of her time overseas, Miley Cyrus was spotted out shopping with some girlfriends in Paris, France today (September 6).

The “Hannah Montana” babe looked like she was having a blast as she hit up Le Bon Marche for some retail therapy as the Parisian paparazzi looked on.

Miss Cyrus also made sure to report for duty on the set of her new movie “LOL” where she ran lines with her costar Ashley Hinshaw.

Last night (September 5) Miley was all about getting her groove on at the VIP Room after having dinner at Hotel Costes on Rue Saint-Honore.

Chinese film set in grim ’50s showing in Venice (AP)

AP – The Ditch (Le Fosse), a film exploring Chinese labor camps for dissidents, is a late addition to Venice Film Festival entries vying for the Golden Lion award.

John Travolta Drops Extortion Case Charges

John Travolta is dropping the charges against the two men accused of attempting to extort $25 million from him after the death of his 16-year-old son, Jett, TMZ reports.

Though the case was originally declared a mistrial in October 2009, Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston, 47, continued to pursue defendants Tarino Lightbourne and Pleasant Bridgewater. Travolta, 56, has since asked a judge in the Bahamas to dismiss the case.

PHOTOS: Touching pics of the Travolta family

“I am grateful and appreciative of the dedication, hard work and support provided by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Royal Bahamas Police Force while handling matters associated with the attempted extortion that targeted my family in January of 2009,” Travolta told TMZ in a statement.

“Throughout the investigation and prosecution, my staff and I remained fully supportive of all requests for assistance from law enforcement representatives even though this cooperation was at a great emotional cost to my family,” he said.

PHOTOS: Stars at court

“Unfortunately, in early October of last year the first trial of this matter resulted in a mistrial. Almost a year later, the long pending status of this matter continued to take a heavy emotional toll on my family causing us to conclude that it was finally time to put this matter behind us,” Travolta explained. “Therefore, after much reflection I concluded that it was in my family’s best interest for me not to voluntarily return to The Bahamas to testify a second time at trial. We are thankful to the people of The Bahamas for the friendship, love and support they provided to us during this matter.”

Now that their legal woes are behind them, the couple is focusing on preparing for the arrival of their third child, due in November.

PHOTOS: New celebrity moms

“They’ve been through so much. Not only losing Jett but those godawful horrible men trying to extort them! Unbelievable. It was awful on them, they were grieving so badly,” Preston’s mother Linda Carlson told UsMagazine.com in June.

Continued Carlson, “I know Kelly has been longing for another baby. She just loves babies! So do I. I just can’t wait for this child to arrive. It’s taken them out of such deep grief and made them able to focus on new life. It just couldn’t come at a better time.”

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Hitman Clooney’s ‘American’ wins weekend with $16M (AP)

AP – George Clooney’s hitman tale “The American” has captured the top spot at the box office with a $16.4 million debut over the long Labor Day weekend.

Miranda Cosgrove Rocks the "Today" Show

Still busily promoting her latest album, Miranda Cosgrove took the stage for the “Today” show’s Labor Day Special in New York City on Monday morning (September 6).

Taking place in Rockefeller Center, the 17-year-old made her live smallscreen performance debut as she cranked out three tunes including her smash hit “KIssin U”.

As for her career efforts, Miss Cosgrove is also gearing up for an all-new episode of iCarly premiering on Nickelodeon on Saturday, September 11.

Titled “iSam’s Mom”, the episode includes a special guest appearance by “Glee” star Jane Lynch as Sam Puckett’s mom.

Extortion Charges Dropped in John Travolta Case

Filed under: John Travolta, Celebrity Justice

A judge in the Bahamas has dropped the charges in the extortion case involving John Travolta … at the actor’s request. The two defendants — Tarino Lightbourne and Pleasant Bridgewater — were charged with trying to allegedly get millions from John in…

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The Things They Say

“It’s great having a close friend who’s a designer. Victoria has given me five or six dresses from her new range to wear while I’m in London.” EVA LONGORIA PARKER is thrilled to get freebies from good pal VICTORIA BECKHAM’s clothing line.

Chinese film on 1960 labor camps cheered in Venice (Reuters)

Reuters – A powerful Chinese film on the plight of political prisoners condemned to forced labor camps in the late 1950s wooed critics in Venice on Monday, with some tipping it as a strong contender for the festival’s top prize.