Madonna has marital woes, and it also seems she has movie woes.

She released her “Filth and Wisdom” directorial debut three weeks ago and there was quite a bit of fanfare at New York’s IFC Center. She really hasn’t received any critical acclaim as an actress, but she did receive some positive reviews for directing this feature starring members of the group Gogol Bordello.

It now seems that New Yorkers aren’t really into it. So far, “Filth and Wisdom” has sold just over $18,000 in tickets since its release October 17th. What is ironic is that it’s not even playing in New York! The odd film played in just three theaters over the weekend: in Toronto, St. Louis, and Columbus, Ohio.

The three cinema showings this past weekend was down from 10 the week before.

Her soon to be ex hubby Guy Ritchie isn’t doing much better. His “RockNRolla” seems to be another box office bust for him. It’s only made $3 million since its release on October 8th. On Halloween, Warner Bros, increased its screens from 19 to 826. Not even that effort helped it along. On Sunday when the take for most movies is up, “RockNRolla” fell 28.7 percent.

She has a concert in L.A. tonight and supposedly Justin and Britney will be there to perform with her and there’s no doubt she’ll be getting great reviews for that.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Lindsay obviously sent Madonna the message that she loves her look since she showed up to Madonna’s New York premiere of her latest film with the same hairstyle. Actually, now that I think about it, Britney wore her hair styled the same way at the MTV VMA’S in early September… so does that mean that Madonna and Linds stole her style?!

Forget the hair, it’s interesting that another producer put up lots of money for another Madonna performance. She’s been in many many movies and I still haven’t seen a good one! She has to be one of the few actresses out there with this many movie credits and no hits.

I can’t think of any other diva who has had as many chances to act as Madonna has and has managed to mess up. Her last film, “Swept Away” with her husband Guy Ritchie who directed, seems to have swept away his career and their marriage since he wasn’t at this premiere!

Am I seeing things straight? Why does Madonna look like this?

I am horrified. I am thinking some plastic surgery went really wrong! There is no reason for her face to look like that.

“Britney Spears is spending her summer in the recording studio, working on a brand new album,” manager Larry Rudolph said Tuesday in a statement released by Jive Records.

“She’s working with a team of top-notch producers and songwriters, and we’re very excited about what she’s accomplished so far. No album release date has been confirmed yet.”

Nice to hear she is keeping busy. Not only has she done her television guest appearance work, she also filmed a video segment in Hollywood that is expected to be part of Madonna’s upcoming Sticky & Sweet tour.

So the reports about Britney filming  in an elevator for Madonna’s new tour are true!

A Source said: In the video, Madonna’s  song from 1994 “Human Nature” is playing. When things start to heat up in the elevator, a choreographed Britney sheds her goggles and bodysuit to reveal her fit and sexy physique. “You’ve never seen Britney like this before,” a source tells E! News. “It will blow your mind.”

Here are some shots that E!Online got their hands on:

Madonna and Justin Timberlake are dancing super heroes in her latest scifi special effects single, “4 Minutes.” A giant clock is shown giving a four-minute countdown, and from what I observe, the two bounce around on cars, boogie down a grocery store checkout counter, and get sexy in a bedroom as a giant prism/cloud-like plume effect radiates. The two of them trade verses, exchange fake kisses and dance moves in the clip.

The action heats up as they do some sort of quasi striptease and a share a smooch… sort of. Timbaland has a cameo. I’m not exactly sure what it is both of them are battling, maybe the end of the world? If it means spending it with JT, I’m game!

The full video is now available for purchase on iTunes. Madonna’s latest album, Hard Candy, will be released on April 29th.

Madonna just said that she likes to listen to Britney Spears’ Blackout while exercising. She had this to say to New York’s Z100 FM today:

“I actually love Britney Spears’s new album. I usually work out to her record. I do a combination of pilates and dance aerobics.”
Hmm, what a nice thing to say, although I do wonder if she has actually had any real contact with Britney recently? I think not, shame as they used to be so connected, way back when . That does seem so long ago now. Look how hot Britney used to be, although she is looking better since her dad took control over her life.

In an interview she had recently with New York’s Z100 radio station, Madonna set the record straight on the rumour that she gave Justin Timberlake a Vitamin B injection: : “Listen, I don’t need to give him a shot to see his butt.” Hmm, I wonder what her hubby thinks about her saying such a thing?! Yes she is his wife and mother of his children, yet the rock star diva in her still seems to take front and center stage at all times!
Her new album Hard Candy hits the stores April 29th!

Madonna and her children arrived at Los Angeles International Airport yesterday accompanied by at least two members of her staff.
Here is a picture of her little boy David who isn’t quite 3 years old. He’s growing like a little weed! Her daughter Lourdes 11, and son Rocco 7, must have a tutor since they seem to be missing so much school traveling around the world with their famous mom.
They were recently in New York for Madonna’s Gucci-sponsored Saving Malawi benefit February 6th, and will most likely be there to cheer her on when she’s inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in NYC on March 10th.
What a life!

Madonna just posted this entry on her Raising Malawi website!

“From the moment I began my work on behalf of Malawi’s ONE MILLION orphans, people have asked, “Why did you choose Malawi?” I always answer, “I didn’t. Malawi chose me.” Malawi is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Unfortunately, it is also one of the poorest - suffering from famine, drought, extreme poverty, and deadly diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. All of which could be treated with proper health care and education, if it were available.
Through the Raising Malawi: Orphan Care Initiative, Michel Berg and I have committed to doing all that we can to help this small country in desperate need.

We have met with world experts in healthcare, economics, education, and international development - leaders like Dr. Jeffrey Sachs and Dr. Paul Farmer, who have given a voice to the most underprivileged sectors of society. Together we are working to raise the quality of life for a generation of orphaned and vulnerable children.

Now I’m asking you to join us.

With one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the world and one of the lowest rankings in the Human Poverty Index, Malawi and her children are at the heart of the humanitarian crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. The challenges facing these children are unimaginable. Everyday in Malawi hundreds of children die from preventable illness, thousands are affected by abuse and neglect, and millions face a lonely struggle for survival without parents, or adult supervision. At Raising Malawi, we believe in turning these challenges into stepping stones.
Malawi is country with incredible promise. Malawians possess resiliency and great spirit. If we give them a chance to achieve lasting sustainability through smart solutions and the proper support, we will in fact raise Malawi. No matter who you are or where you are, you can join this cause and get involved. Volunteers of all ages and from every corner of the world are needed.

Donations, no matter how large or small, can make a big difference: from buying a bed net to helping build a school or a clinic. Every little bit helps.

I urge you to please support Raising Malawi and remember: by committing a little bit of your time, talent, or treasures to these extraordinary children, you will help to save a life.”