The parties, the money, the beautiful people. Celebrities have converged on the French Riviera for the Cannes Film Festival, but nothing could top two out of this world parties this year.

"Matrix Reloaded" cost about $175 million to make, so what's a couple million more for a fabulous party, a private jet and some expensive accommodations for your stars?

Warner Bros. reportedly wanted the bash to be, like its movie, the most talked about bash in Cannes. And, believe us, it was.

"Matrix Reloaded" stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne Carrie Anne Moss and Monica Bellucci flew in on a private jet where they were treated to luxurious accommodations at the Hotel Du Cap – Eden Roc. The 22-acre property is considered one of the best beach resorts in the world. Situated on a private peninsula jutting out into the Mediterranean, the hotel hosts the rich and famous year 'round. Its Web site lists the celebrities who have made Eden Roc their destination. Check it out at Eden Roc

Then there was Thursday night's party. Construction workers spent two weeks building a giant waterfront venue, which included state-of-the-art computer games where partygoers could simulate the experience of life inside the "Matrix."

Waiters and waitresses dressed in dark sunglasses and suits a la Thomas "Neo" Anderson (Reeves' character in the film) distributed green cocktails; each was named after the main characters in the story including the Morpheus and the Trinity drinks. Guests were bathed in green light and the walls and tables had a futuristic bare acrylic design.

Celebrities also learned the lesson of R.S.V.P.

Because of increased security, cards that read "Save The Date" were sent to a special guest list and instructed the invited that they had to come into the office in person to pick up the invite "so it didn't fall in the wrong hands."

Matthew McConaughey allegedly did not get in to the party and Kevin Costner was wait listed, according to reports.

Among those who did pick up their invites in person and gained access were Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Meg Ryan, who is a member of the film jury, also made an appearance, and Penlope Cruz, who was seen at Wednesday's opening of Cannes without Tom Cruise. Cruise is in New Zealand filming "The Last Samurai."

The festival official opened May 14 and continues through May 25.

Another hot party was one given by MTV at fashion designer Pierre Cardin at his home the Bubble Palace to celebrate "Terminator 3: The Rise Of The Machines." Cardin's futuristic home has swimming pools on each level of the house.

Arnold Schwarzenegger arrived with his wife, Maria Shriver. The movie has yet to wrap filming, but is due out in July. It is reportedly one of the most expensive movies ever made, at $265 million. Schwarzenegger will take home a $30 million paycheck for his leading role.

(By the way, when the final installment of the "Matrix" trilogy is released in November, combined the last two "Matrix" movies will have cost more than $300 million to get to screen.)

Speaking to a group of reporters at Cannes, Schwarzenegger said he's going to continue making "Terminator" movies. "I'll be back," he promised.

He encouraged fans to rush to the box office to see "T3," so that they could be assured a "T4."

"Is this my last 'Terminator?' No. I have so many years left," the 56-year-old actor said.

Berry Back To Work

Halle Berry is expected to return to the set of "Gothika" Tuesday. The film, about a criminal psychologist who wakes to find she's a patient in her own mental hospital is now shooting in Montreal.

Last week, Berry was rushed to a Canadian hospital after she broke her arm during one physically demanding scene, according to a Warner Bros. spokesman.

Berry was treated for the break and released.

The producers were putting their heads together in an effort to figure out how to shoot around Berry's broken arm.

"Gothika" is set for release in October. Filming began in Montreal April 10 and was expected to wrap up June 13.

Brad Prefers Boxers To Briefs

A magazine was able to get the skinny on hunky star Brad Pitt's personal panty preferences by calling his representatives and pretending they were offering free underwear.

Reporters for Jane magazine reportedly called Pitt's managers and said they worked for a company called Body for Him.

"Right now he's a 32/33 or maybe a 34. He's getting a little bigger because he's training," the magazine reports. The pranksters also said that they were told Pitt prefers boxers. He also would rather flannel over silk and he likes polka-dot prints.

You can get more detail about the "Fight Club" stars underwear wishes in June/July issue of Jane.

Pitt is currently in Italy filming the movie "Troy," which will be released next May. He has also reportedly committed to a movie with Guy Ritchie to be shot in Las Vegas. The gangster film, entitled "Revolver," is about a gambler who gets in deep after he won't take a fall in a poker game, according to the Las Vegas Sun. Pitt is no stranger to shooting in Vegas after spending time there for the movie "Oceans Eleven." The big question is if Ritchie's wife, Madonna, will end up in any movie scenes.

Meanwhile, Pitt's wife, Jennifer Aniston, is making the rounds to talk about her co-starring role with Jim Carrey in the upcoming "Bruce Almighty.

In a recent interview she said she's ready for motherhood and denies that a big-screen version of "Friends" will be filmed. If it is, she says, she and the other cast members won't star in it. Now that "Friends" is over, Aniston said she would love to do a play in New York, or maybe just take some time off and stay away from the camera for a while.

Renee's Travel Diary

Renee Zellweger sure gets around. She was seen a couple of weeks ago in Grosse Pointe, Mich., shopping with a friend at a supermarket, then last week she was spotted driving around Los Angeles sipping coffee in a convertible black Porsche.

In September, she's expected to head to London to prepare for the long-awaited sequel of "Bridget Jones's Diary," which is to start shooting in October.

The on-again, off-again production of the film, however, still isn't set in stone. Zellweger has yet to sign or publicly commit to the project.

Diamonds At The Daytime Emmys

Diamonds for daytime? When daytime television's glamorous stars wanted to dress up for nighttime for last week's Daytime Emmy Awards at Radio City Music Hall, designers were more than eager to help out.

As Joan Rivers would say, "Who were they wearing?"

Kelly Ripa and Sharon Osbourne chose diamond jewelry by Fred Leighton. Van Cleef and Arpels pieces were worn by Linda Dano and Martha Byrne. Heather Tom and Lindsay Fransesca dripped in diamonds by Martin Katz.

Harry Winston, who was mentioned by name in the Jennifer Lopez hit "Maid In Manhattan," offered diamond jewelry to Barbara Walters, Star Jones and Lisa Rinna for the red-carpet affair.

How about this for a sparkly tidbit? Anne Bancroft wore a Harry Winston diamond engagement ring in "The Graduate."

Michelle Solomon's gossip column, Celebrity Chatter, appears each Monday. E-mail us with questions or comments. Michelle Solomon@Celebrity Chatter.