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U.S. Military Estimates Marines Have Killed 300 Insurgents in Najaf Over Past Two Days; Dog Gets a New Leash on Life

Aired August 06, 2004 - 10:34   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's take a look at the stories that are now in the news. First to Florida, to Deltona, Florida -- this is just north of Orlando -- the discovery of multiple bodies. We're not sure of the exact number, but multiple bodies inside a home in Deltona. Apparently a coworker of one of the people who lives in this house was concerned when they didn't show up for work, asked someone to go by and check, and that person discovered the multiple bodies. Police are investigating this as a multiple homicide. Much more on that story just ahead.
Meanwhile, other stories in the news, a London judge has denied bail for Babar Ahmad, the British terror suspect who is wanted in the United States. He told the judge he does not want to be extradited to the U.S. Authorities say that Ahmed used U.S.-based Web sites in connection with terrorism in Chechnya and Afghanistan.

At least three people are dead after a Greyhound bus collided this morning with a tractor-trailer. It happened on Interstate 40, near Jackson, Tennessee. At least 17 people were injured and taken to hospitals. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Republican Alan Keyes reportedly has decided to accept his party's nomination for the U.S. Senate seat from Illinois. Two Chicago newspapers say that he'll announce his candidacy this weekend. Keyes' challenge of Democrat frontrunner Barack Obama would create the first U.S. Senate race between two black candidates representing the major parties.

Investors around the world are keeping a close eye on oil prices, which hit a record high yesterday for the fifth consecutive trading session. The surge also debt a blow to the U.S. stock market, with the Dow -- excuse me -- suffering its second worst day of the year.

We'll check today's impact on Wall Street in just a few minutes.

To Iraq now. The Grand Ayatollah Al Sistani leaves Baghdad for London today as fierce battles rage between U.S. forces and militia loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada Al Sadr. The U.S. military estimates that Marines have killed 300 insurgents in Najaf over the past two days.

Our Matthew Chance joins us now from Baghdad.

Matthew, hello.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Daryn. And those significant casualties coming in fierce fighting in several areas across Iraq. First, in the holy Shia city of Najaf, in the south of the country, U.S. Marines battling members of the Mehdi Army, the militia controlled by the firebrand Shia cleric Muqtada Al Sadr. Fighting is reported to be raging around the central area of Najaf, close to the holiest shrine in Shia Islam, the Shrine of Imam Ali.

U.S. tanks and armored vehicles, backed by helicopter gunships, reported to be moving into that area, and being confronted by militiamen of the Mehdi Army on the streets.

Those casualty figures coming as an estimate from the spokesman of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is operating down in Najaf, saying that he believes that at least 300 of those militants have been killed in the past two days of fighting. So extremely serious fighting, perhaps the most serious since the cease-fire that was agreed with Muqtada Al Sadr last June.

Elsewhere, there's been fierce fighting in the Baghdad area as well. The Iraqi capital, an area called Sadr City, engulfed in violence overnight there. According to the Iraqi health ministry, at least 20 Iraqis killed in clashes between U.S. forces and the Mehdi Army, and some 114 injured. So an extremely serious day, 24 hours of violence in the region.

KAGAN: Matthew, let's talk a little bit about the departure of the Grand Ayatollah Al Sistani and what his departure might have to do with the fighting that has erupted in the southern part of the country.

CHANCE: Well, certainly people close to the Grand Ayatollah Al Sistani are saying it's got nothing to do with it whatsoever, and they're saying he's going to London, he's arrived in London, now we understand in order to have personal medical checkups. There's a lot of speculation that he may have some kind of heart condition. That's being looked into.

But it is significant that he's left the country, simply because this is a leading voice of moderation amongst the majority Shia community, and his very absence leaves the way open perhaps for those with a more violent disposition to gain ground.

KAGAN: Matthew Chance in Baghdad. Matthew, thank you for that.

We are going to get back to the story that's developing here in the U.S., looking at these latest employment numbers. Is it doing a job on Wall Street? A live report from the New York Stock Exchange. And what it means to those of you at home trying to find a job. That's coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

KAGAN: Let's take a look now at some other stories making news coast to coast. In California, a broken dam released a wall of water three to four feet tall. But authorities say it subsided before it caused any real damage. The broken release gate at the Sierra Nevada Reservoir is being blamed for this one. Campers and fisherman downstream were warned to evacuate, and there are no reports of any injuries.

Could this be a glimpse of the future? A Canadian team is hoping that come October, this spacecraft -- there it is -- will carry its country's first manned space mission. Twenty-six teams from seven countries are competing with the Da Vinci Project, vying for the $10 million prize in the commercial space race. Only the Canadian entry and one from the U.S. have reached the point of announcing launch dates.

And in Fresno County, California, here's a rescue in Fresno, California that has one tail and a lot of tongues wagging.

Aww, just so cute, the puppy face. Firefighters pulling this 3- month-old puppy from a dry well. Despite the 15-foot plunge, the pooch is doing just fine.

All right, we're on a dog roll here, so let's keep it with the dogs. A chocolate lab from Texas gets a new leash on life, here in Atlanta, after being shot and buried alive.

Our Rhonda Grayson reports on this miracle dog. Its name is "Hope."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(SINGING "HAPPY BIRTHDAY")

RHONDA GRAYSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Life is good for Hope. The chocolate lab mix is celebrating her birthday with some party animal friends, complete with a doggy cake, and lots of confetti, hats and balloons.

Today Hope has a loving home. But life wasn't always so hopeful for a stray roaming the streets of a small Texas town. Hope was shot and buried alive, not once, but twice, by some neighborhood children. But somehow managed to tunnel her way out.

DAVID YORK, BARKING HOUND VILLAGE DAY CARE: They thought she was dead. And one of their neighbors who knew what had happened, saw her crawling down the road a few days later and picked her up and took her to the vet. And her ears were packed with mud. Her eyes were, you know, totally infected. Her nose was all packed with mud. She -- like I said, most of her hair had fallen out. And she couldn't walk. Her hip was shattered.

GRAYSON: But these are happier days for Hope the wonder dog. David flew to Gilmore, Texas and drove her back to Atlanta, where she was adopted.

YORK: There you go.

GRAYSON: Center Casting (ph) provided some of the companions for Hope's birthday bash. Vivian Love, AKA the "The Little Starlet," and Shadow the Great Dane, who is always ready for his close-up, and of course, the intense blue-eyed husky named Lilly. Avery and Ollie were also there, and their dad says they just love hanging out with Hope and their friends at day care.

JEFF KOHN, AVERY & OLLIE'S DAD: She'll just leap out of the car to come in here, and their tails wagging and they start barking immediately, and they can't wait to come in. It is 100 percent about the (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

GRAYSON: Hope is now a pampered pooch, going to doggy day care, complete with a pool.

YORK: The progress she's made is unbelievable. Like I said, she's had a couple more surgeries, and, you know, is walking and running fine now. And she is definitely a miracle dog.

GRAYSON (on camera): After her big doggy birthday bash, it's time to tuck Hope in for the evening. Before she goes to bed, she likes to watch her favorite video.

(voice-over): Rhonda Grayson, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Well, Hope, you have your favorite video and more coming your way. Congratulations to you, and you keep getting better. Love those dog stories.

A little book that causes a lot of trouble, your sneak peek of Brittany's Murphy's new movie, "Little Black Book" is straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMIE FOXX, ACTOR: I think he's dead!

TOM CRUISE, ACTOR: Good guess.

FOXX: You killed him?

CRUISE: No, I shot him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Tom Cruise taking the audience on a wild ride through L.A. in a new movie called "Collateral." The movie has a lot of surprises for the audience, including Tom Cruise playing against type as the villain.

Mr. Moviefone is here. He's no villain; he's a good guy.

RUSS LEATHERMAN, "MR. MOVIEFONE": Daryn, it is great to see you again.

KAGAN: It has been so long, I think when "Risky Business" debuted was the last time you were on the show.

LEATHERMAN: You know, you've had all this presidential stuff, and then you've got movies. You've got to get your priorities straight.

KAGAN: I know, we're working on it.

LEATHERMAN: I don't know what's going on here.

KAGAN: Well, here, Tom Cruise is my priority this weekend. Are audiences going to buy him as a bad guy?

LEATHERMAN: Well, I think they are. I think audiences buy Tom Cruise no matter what he's doing. And he's pretty good as a bad guy. You know, Tom Cruise is Tom Cruise; he's a good actor, and audiences love him. This movie is going to do plenty good. No one's too worried about it. He plays with Jamie Foxx. And really, he's a hired assassin who goes around the streets of Los Angeles with Jamie Foxx, who he sort of commandeered as his taxi driver, to go around and do all these hits. Now I think this is a good thriller; I don't know that it's as good as, say, "The Bourne Supremacy," but it's good, it's tight. Tom Cruise has something going on with his hair, I don't know what's happening.

KAGAN: Yes, Tom Cruise, Gray hair.

LEATHERMAN: I don't know, but who am I to talk, Daryn, about hair, I mean, seriously.

KAGAN: Well, there's that.

LEATHERMAN: But I think if you like this sort of movie, there's a lot of bullets, a lot of killing, but if you're into it, it's a good movie. So go check it out.

KAGAN: If you like bullets and killing...

LEATHERMAN: If you like the killing!

KAGAN: OK, let's look at a different type of movie, "Garden State," this is from the guy who stars in "Scrubs."

LEATHERMAN: Yes, Zach Braff, who -- and, Daryn, I know you think this is a little movie, it's sort of a romance; I'm going to hate it. I loved this movie. I think Zach Braff is a really talented young actor. In fact, he wrote and directed this movie. He stars with Natalie Portman, who is just impeccable and fantastic. It's really a smaller movie about two people who have bad things going on in their lives and manage to come together and fall in love, and I really liked it. I like the fact that it was quiet, understated with two terrific actors, a really nice script. And if you're just looking for a mellow movie to go check out this weekend, go see "Garden State," it's really terrific.

KAGAN: "Open Water," this is the shark movie. We had the two stars of this movie on with me yesterday. This looks very interesting.

LEATHERMAN: This is an amazing little movie. It was made for almost no money. The folks who made it shot it on weekends. And really, it's the story of these two folks who go out on vacation, out on this dive trip, and they come out of the water and the boat's gone, as you can see right there.

KAGAN: Bummer.

LEATHERMAN: And it's really, you know, 90 minutes of these two floating around in the water. And i have to tell you, the thing I really liked about this movie is, one, it proves you don't have to spend $100 million on the movie to have a successful movie and a successful story. But this movie really turns the screws like no other movie I've sat through this summer. I was uncomfortable. I was uneasy. I needed to know whether they were going to get out of the water or not. So if you like a good thriller that's thrilling, just because the movie's good, then go check this out. It's a good little movie.

KAGAN: OK, that one's called "Open Water."

And then finally, Brittany Murphy tries to be the headliner here with "Little Black Book." Can she carry it off? Can she open a movie by herself?

LEATHERMAN: Well, I'm not going to spend a ton of time on this movie. It really, to me, it begs the question, how many bad movies can an actor make before they're the center square, you know what I'm saying, Daryn?

KAGAN: Oh!

LEATHERMAN: But it's -- well, it's just not a particularly good movie.

KAGAN: She's adorable, Russ.

LEATHERMAN: She -- you know, a lot of people really love her. But the fact is that she's sort of on a streak, and it's not a good one. So I can see her sitting next to Whoopi within the next month or two. But here's what you've got, you've got "Collateral," that's a really good movie. You've got "Open Water." You've got "Garden State." So it's really a terrific weekend for movies.

KAGAN: Plenty of good stuff.

LEATHERMAN: Plenty of good stuff.

KAGAN: And it's good we kicked it off with your stopping by, so thank you for that.

LEATHERMAN: Nice to see you, Daryn.

KAGAN: Russ Leatherman. Don't be a stranger, don't be away so long. LEATHERMAN: Well, forget this political stuff; stick with the movies.

KAGAN: You got it. Thank you.

We're going to take a break, and we will be back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: It is sports to the extreme. Hook up your seatbelt for this one. Whew! Excellent. That is just one of the gravity-defying daredevils taking flight in Los Angeles for the 10th Annual X-Games. the motocross event was held at the Staples Center on Thursday. Contestants soared more than 30 feet in the air, wowing fans with high energy and finesse, and leaving most of us wondering how and why. And that was just the motocross. That's just not the regular bicycles, and the skateboarding and the roller blading.

(WEATHER REPORT)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired August 6, 2004 - 10:34   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's take a look at the stories that are now in the news. First to Florida, to Deltona, Florida -- this is just north of Orlando -- the discovery of multiple bodies. We're not sure of the exact number, but multiple bodies inside a home in Deltona. Apparently a coworker of one of the people who lives in this house was concerned when they didn't show up for work, asked someone to go by and check, and that person discovered the multiple bodies. Police are investigating this as a multiple homicide. Much more on that story just ahead.
Meanwhile, other stories in the news, a London judge has denied bail for Babar Ahmad, the British terror suspect who is wanted in the United States. He told the judge he does not want to be extradited to the U.S. Authorities say that Ahmed used U.S.-based Web sites in connection with terrorism in Chechnya and Afghanistan.

At least three people are dead after a Greyhound bus collided this morning with a tractor-trailer. It happened on Interstate 40, near Jackson, Tennessee. At least 17 people were injured and taken to hospitals. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Republican Alan Keyes reportedly has decided to accept his party's nomination for the U.S. Senate seat from Illinois. Two Chicago newspapers say that he'll announce his candidacy this weekend. Keyes' challenge of Democrat frontrunner Barack Obama would create the first U.S. Senate race between two black candidates representing the major parties.

Investors around the world are keeping a close eye on oil prices, which hit a record high yesterday for the fifth consecutive trading session. The surge also debt a blow to the U.S. stock market, with the Dow -- excuse me -- suffering its second worst day of the year.

We'll check today's impact on Wall Street in just a few minutes.

To Iraq now. The Grand Ayatollah Al Sistani leaves Baghdad for London today as fierce battles rage between U.S. forces and militia loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada Al Sadr. The U.S. military estimates that Marines have killed 300 insurgents in Najaf over the past two days.

Our Matthew Chance joins us now from Baghdad.

Matthew, hello.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Daryn. And those significant casualties coming in fierce fighting in several areas across Iraq. First, in the holy Shia city of Najaf, in the south of the country, U.S. Marines battling members of the Mehdi Army, the militia controlled by the firebrand Shia cleric Muqtada Al Sadr. Fighting is reported to be raging around the central area of Najaf, close to the holiest shrine in Shia Islam, the Shrine of Imam Ali.

U.S. tanks and armored vehicles, backed by helicopter gunships, reported to be moving into that area, and being confronted by militiamen of the Mehdi Army on the streets.

Those casualty figures coming as an estimate from the spokesman of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is operating down in Najaf, saying that he believes that at least 300 of those militants have been killed in the past two days of fighting. So extremely serious fighting, perhaps the most serious since the cease-fire that was agreed with Muqtada Al Sadr last June.

Elsewhere, there's been fierce fighting in the Baghdad area as well. The Iraqi capital, an area called Sadr City, engulfed in violence overnight there. According to the Iraqi health ministry, at least 20 Iraqis killed in clashes between U.S. forces and the Mehdi Army, and some 114 injured. So an extremely serious day, 24 hours of violence in the region.

KAGAN: Matthew, let's talk a little bit about the departure of the Grand Ayatollah Al Sistani and what his departure might have to do with the fighting that has erupted in the southern part of the country.

CHANCE: Well, certainly people close to the Grand Ayatollah Al Sistani are saying it's got nothing to do with it whatsoever, and they're saying he's going to London, he's arrived in London, now we understand in order to have personal medical checkups. There's a lot of speculation that he may have some kind of heart condition. That's being looked into.

But it is significant that he's left the country, simply because this is a leading voice of moderation amongst the majority Shia community, and his very absence leaves the way open perhaps for those with a more violent disposition to gain ground.

KAGAN: Matthew Chance in Baghdad. Matthew, thank you for that.

We are going to get back to the story that's developing here in the U.S., looking at these latest employment numbers. Is it doing a job on Wall Street? A live report from the New York Stock Exchange. And what it means to those of you at home trying to find a job. That's coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

KAGAN: Let's take a look now at some other stories making news coast to coast. In California, a broken dam released a wall of water three to four feet tall. But authorities say it subsided before it caused any real damage. The broken release gate at the Sierra Nevada Reservoir is being blamed for this one. Campers and fisherman downstream were warned to evacuate, and there are no reports of any injuries.

Could this be a glimpse of the future? A Canadian team is hoping that come October, this spacecraft -- there it is -- will carry its country's first manned space mission. Twenty-six teams from seven countries are competing with the Da Vinci Project, vying for the $10 million prize in the commercial space race. Only the Canadian entry and one from the U.S. have reached the point of announcing launch dates.

And in Fresno County, California, here's a rescue in Fresno, California that has one tail and a lot of tongues wagging.

Aww, just so cute, the puppy face. Firefighters pulling this 3- month-old puppy from a dry well. Despite the 15-foot plunge, the pooch is doing just fine.

All right, we're on a dog roll here, so let's keep it with the dogs. A chocolate lab from Texas gets a new leash on life, here in Atlanta, after being shot and buried alive.

Our Rhonda Grayson reports on this miracle dog. Its name is "Hope."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(SINGING "HAPPY BIRTHDAY")

RHONDA GRAYSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Life is good for Hope. The chocolate lab mix is celebrating her birthday with some party animal friends, complete with a doggy cake, and lots of confetti, hats and balloons.

Today Hope has a loving home. But life wasn't always so hopeful for a stray roaming the streets of a small Texas town. Hope was shot and buried alive, not once, but twice, by some neighborhood children. But somehow managed to tunnel her way out.

DAVID YORK, BARKING HOUND VILLAGE DAY CARE: They thought she was dead. And one of their neighbors who knew what had happened, saw her crawling down the road a few days later and picked her up and took her to the vet. And her ears were packed with mud. Her eyes were, you know, totally infected. Her nose was all packed with mud. She -- like I said, most of her hair had fallen out. And she couldn't walk. Her hip was shattered.

GRAYSON: But these are happier days for Hope the wonder dog. David flew to Gilmore, Texas and drove her back to Atlanta, where she was adopted.

YORK: There you go.

GRAYSON: Center Casting (ph) provided some of the companions for Hope's birthday bash. Vivian Love, AKA the "The Little Starlet," and Shadow the Great Dane, who is always ready for his close-up, and of course, the intense blue-eyed husky named Lilly. Avery and Ollie were also there, and their dad says they just love hanging out with Hope and their friends at day care.

JEFF KOHN, AVERY & OLLIE'S DAD: She'll just leap out of the car to come in here, and their tails wagging and they start barking immediately, and they can't wait to come in. It is 100 percent about the (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

GRAYSON: Hope is now a pampered pooch, going to doggy day care, complete with a pool.

YORK: The progress she's made is unbelievable. Like I said, she's had a couple more surgeries, and, you know, is walking and running fine now. And she is definitely a miracle dog.

GRAYSON (on camera): After her big doggy birthday bash, it's time to tuck Hope in for the evening. Before she goes to bed, she likes to watch her favorite video.

(voice-over): Rhonda Grayson, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Well, Hope, you have your favorite video and more coming your way. Congratulations to you, and you keep getting better. Love those dog stories.

A little book that causes a lot of trouble, your sneak peek of Brittany's Murphy's new movie, "Little Black Book" is straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMIE FOXX, ACTOR: I think he's dead!

TOM CRUISE, ACTOR: Good guess.

FOXX: You killed him?

CRUISE: No, I shot him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Tom Cruise taking the audience on a wild ride through L.A. in a new movie called "Collateral." The movie has a lot of surprises for the audience, including Tom Cruise playing against type as the villain.

Mr. Moviefone is here. He's no villain; he's a good guy.

RUSS LEATHERMAN, "MR. MOVIEFONE": Daryn, it is great to see you again.

KAGAN: It has been so long, I think when "Risky Business" debuted was the last time you were on the show.

LEATHERMAN: You know, you've had all this presidential stuff, and then you've got movies. You've got to get your priorities straight.

KAGAN: I know, we're working on it.

LEATHERMAN: I don't know what's going on here.

KAGAN: Well, here, Tom Cruise is my priority this weekend. Are audiences going to buy him as a bad guy?

LEATHERMAN: Well, I think they are. I think audiences buy Tom Cruise no matter what he's doing. And he's pretty good as a bad guy. You know, Tom Cruise is Tom Cruise; he's a good actor, and audiences love him. This movie is going to do plenty good. No one's too worried about it. He plays with Jamie Foxx. And really, he's a hired assassin who goes around the streets of Los Angeles with Jamie Foxx, who he sort of commandeered as his taxi driver, to go around and do all these hits. Now I think this is a good thriller; I don't know that it's as good as, say, "The Bourne Supremacy," but it's good, it's tight. Tom Cruise has something going on with his hair, I don't know what's happening.

KAGAN: Yes, Tom Cruise, Gray hair.

LEATHERMAN: I don't know, but who am I to talk, Daryn, about hair, I mean, seriously.

KAGAN: Well, there's that.

LEATHERMAN: But I think if you like this sort of movie, there's a lot of bullets, a lot of killing, but if you're into it, it's a good movie. So go check it out.

KAGAN: If you like bullets and killing...

LEATHERMAN: If you like the killing!

KAGAN: OK, let's look at a different type of movie, "Garden State," this is from the guy who stars in "Scrubs."

LEATHERMAN: Yes, Zach Braff, who -- and, Daryn, I know you think this is a little movie, it's sort of a romance; I'm going to hate it. I loved this movie. I think Zach Braff is a really talented young actor. In fact, he wrote and directed this movie. He stars with Natalie Portman, who is just impeccable and fantastic. It's really a smaller movie about two people who have bad things going on in their lives and manage to come together and fall in love, and I really liked it. I like the fact that it was quiet, understated with two terrific actors, a really nice script. And if you're just looking for a mellow movie to go check out this weekend, go see "Garden State," it's really terrific.

KAGAN: "Open Water," this is the shark movie. We had the two stars of this movie on with me yesterday. This looks very interesting.

LEATHERMAN: This is an amazing little movie. It was made for almost no money. The folks who made it shot it on weekends. And really, it's the story of these two folks who go out on vacation, out on this dive trip, and they come out of the water and the boat's gone, as you can see right there.

KAGAN: Bummer.

LEATHERMAN: And it's really, you know, 90 minutes of these two floating around in the water. And i have to tell you, the thing I really liked about this movie is, one, it proves you don't have to spend $100 million on the movie to have a successful movie and a successful story. But this movie really turns the screws like no other movie I've sat through this summer. I was uncomfortable. I was uneasy. I needed to know whether they were going to get out of the water or not. So if you like a good thriller that's thrilling, just because the movie's good, then go check this out. It's a good little movie.

KAGAN: OK, that one's called "Open Water."

And then finally, Brittany Murphy tries to be the headliner here with "Little Black Book." Can she carry it off? Can she open a movie by herself?

LEATHERMAN: Well, I'm not going to spend a ton of time on this movie. It really, to me, it begs the question, how many bad movies can an actor make before they're the center square, you know what I'm saying, Daryn?

KAGAN: Oh!

LEATHERMAN: But it's -- well, it's just not a particularly good movie.

KAGAN: She's adorable, Russ.

LEATHERMAN: She -- you know, a lot of people really love her. But the fact is that she's sort of on a streak, and it's not a good one. So I can see her sitting next to Whoopi within the next month or two. But here's what you've got, you've got "Collateral," that's a really good movie. You've got "Open Water." You've got "Garden State." So it's really a terrific weekend for movies.

KAGAN: Plenty of good stuff.

LEATHERMAN: Plenty of good stuff.

KAGAN: And it's good we kicked it off with your stopping by, so thank you for that.

LEATHERMAN: Nice to see you, Daryn.

KAGAN: Russ Leatherman. Don't be a stranger, don't be away so long. LEATHERMAN: Well, forget this political stuff; stick with the movies.

KAGAN: You got it. Thank you.

We're going to take a break, and we will be back after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: It is sports to the extreme. Hook up your seatbelt for this one. Whew! Excellent. That is just one of the gravity-defying daredevils taking flight in Los Angeles for the 10th Annual X-Games. the motocross event was held at the Staples Center on Thursday. Contestants soared more than 30 feet in the air, wowing fans with high energy and finesse, and leaving most of us wondering how and why. And that was just the motocross. That's just not the regular bicycles, and the skateboarding and the roller blading.

(WEATHER REPORT)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com