Denzel Does His Part for The Kids

Every time we think we can't love Denzel Washington any more, we hear about things like this. Last week, the Oscar winner took time off from filming The Book of Eli in New Mexico to present a 50-thousand dollar check to a struggling Boys & Girls Club in Roswell.

The actor and director, who's also a spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Club of America -- decided to help after hearing reports that the club was on the verge of shutting down because of a lack of funds.

Washington challenged residents of the town to match his donation. According to Art Garcia, the Roswell club's director, several community groups and private donors have answered the call. In fact, Eastern New Mexico Medical Center ponied up five-grand.

Meanwhile, look for The Book of Eli -- a Hughes Brothers flick described as a post-apocalyptic Western that centers on a lone man who's fighting his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind -- to hit theaters in January 2010.

Big Pimpin' Could Cramp Snipes' Style

Note to Wesley Snipes – when you're doing things you're really not supposed to do, make sure you steer clear of the cameras. That's some advice he'll have to heed from now on. According to E! Online, the actor – who was sentenced to three years for income tax evasion but is free on a million-dollar bond pending appeal – was photographed big pimpin’ with the likes of Denzel Washington, Michael Jordan, and Janet Jackson at a party in the United Arab Emirates back in November. The only thing was that he told the judge that he would be overseas working on a film project.

Last summer, a judge allowed Snipes to travel to Vancouver, London, and Bangkok to work. However, in light of Snipes’ unscheduled stop at the gala opening of the $1.5 billion Atlantis the Palm hotel in Dubai, federal prosecutors really don’t want him to go out of the country again. Assistant US Attorney Robert E. O’Neill filed papers in the US District Court in Ocala, Florida to deny the actor’s request to go to Namibia to reshoot scenes for the horror movie, Galllowwalker, and then to Torino, Italy to film the action flick Game of Death.

O’Neill feels that Wesley has abused the court’s trust in a public way and shouldn’t be allowed to go. In addition, the prosecutor also stated that Namibia is a known haven for international fugitives. Meanwhile, Snipes’ attorney Daniel Meachum said in the latest travel request filed on behalf of his client that Snipes “has never presented and does not currently present a risk of flight. It is essential that Mr. Snipes complete this project to satisfy his civil tax liabilities and provide for his family.”

No word yet on the judge's decision. Stay tuned.