24 MARCH 2005

While their acting styles are worlds apart, Daniel Day-Lewis and Sandra Bullock remain two of the movie industry's best-loved performers. Indeed the two A-listers were both greeted by crowds of well-wishers when they took to separate red carpets on Wednesday to promote their latest flicks.

Hollywood's "Mr Serious", who is famous for his extreme method acting techniques, stepped out in the Big Apple for the premiere of his new drama The Ballad Of Jack And Rose. His bubbly silver screen colleague meanwhile delighted fans on the West Coast where her latest offering Miss Congeniality 2 was making its debut.

Daniel made a striking impression on waiting photographers when he arrived in a hot pink shirt and peach polka-dot cravat. The Oscar winner obviously has a fondness for the eye-catching look because he wore the same ensemble to the Berlin Film Festival last month and the National Board of Review Awards in January.

And it will come as no surprise to his fans that the 47-year-old is once again being applauded by critics. In the movie, which was written and directed by his wife Rebecca Miller, he plays a single father struggling with the challenges of bringing up his teenage daughter on a remote island.

In keeping with her rather less solemn reputation, Sandra's new film is a distinctly light-hearted affair. Miss Congeniality 2 sees the actress reprising her famous role as FBI agent and reluctant beauty queen Gracie Hart. And the 40-year-old had plenty of reason to smile, as the sequel has managed the unusual feat of winning better reviews than the original.