Saturday, November 26, 2011
Rhianna Surprises Teen Fan With Personal Video Message About His Anti-Bullying Campaign (Video)
Louise Wines/CBS CBS continues its Friday evening reign, though amounts rejected overall on Thanksgiving weekend. The network averaged single. rating inside the grownups 18-49 demographic with 5.3 million audiences. Beginning from the evening with two new holiday special deals -- Hoops and Yoyo Ruin Christmas as well as the Elf available: An Elf's Story -- the network came 4 million audiences inside the 8 p.m. hour. Repeats of CSI: NY (5.5 million, .9) and Blue Bloods (6.5 million, 1.) attracted most likely probably the most audiences. ABC trailed in second place, with Shrek the next together with a brand new episode of 20/20 producing the network a nightly average of 4.5 million audiences together with single.1 rating. NBC averaged 4 million together with single. rating with Nicolas Cage's National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Fox broadcast Robert Downey Junior.'s Iron Guy (4 million, 1.2) because the CW chosen for Christmas special deals Grandmother Got Exceed Having a Reindeer (1.8 million, .5) and Olive, Another Reindeer (1.2 million, .3) in Nikita's regular timeslot. 8 p.m. CBS: Hoops and Yoyo Ruin Christmas/The Elf available (4 million, .9) ABC: Shrek the next (4.millions of, 1.1) NBC: National Treasure: Book of Secrets (4 million, .8) Fox: Iron Guy (3.7 million, 1.1) The CW: Grandmother Got Exceed Having a Reindeer (1.7 million, .5) 9 p.m. CBS: CSI: NY (5.5 million, .9) ABC: Shrek the next (4.6 000 0000, 1.2) NBC: National Treasure: Book of Secrets (4 million, 1.) Fox: Iron Guy (4.2 million, 1.4) The CW: Olive, Another Reindeer (1.2 million, .3) 10 p.m. CBS: Blue Bloods (6.5 million, 1.) ABC: 20/20 (5 million, 1.1) NBC: National Treasure: Book of Secrets (3.9 million, 1.1) TV Ratings
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
'Harry Potter' Star Daniel Radcliffe: The Actor We're Most Grateful With This Year
FROM MTV MOVIES: After our nods to rising stars Elizabeth Olsen, Michael Fassbender and Tom Hiddleston, MTV Movies' Grateful Week continues with drum roll, please the actor we're most grateful with this year: Daniel Radcliffe. Really, what's not to like relevant for this gifted youthful guy? He's stunned audiences for more than ten years as "the boy who were living" in eight "Harry Potter" films and contains most recently been the talk in the Great White-colored Way along with his considerably acclaimed be employed in the musical "How you can achieve Business Without Really Trying." We are feeling pretty tolerant of proclaiming that the long run looks vibrant with this particular guy. Daniel Radcliffe discusses his fantastic year! MTV News recently taken track of Radcliffe to acquire a sense of how he's feeling publish-Potter and where he really wants to remain in 10 years. See the full story at MTV Movies!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
J.R. Martinez Wins Dwts Season 13
First Released: November 23, 2011 2:00 AM EST Credit: ABC Caption Karina Smirnoff and J.R. Martinez celebrate winning Dwts Season 13, November. 22, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Fully stand up America, there is a new Dwts champion to salute. (SPOILER this story consists of the outcome of DWTS Season 13.) After a difficult and sometimes questionable season, military veteran and former My Children actor J.R. Martinez bested 11 celebs being the latest ballroom champion, alongside his partner and first-time mirrorball champion, ballerina Karina Smirnoff. First of all, I wish to thank everyone who chosen for all of us for 10 days. Thanks America for thinking in us, J.R. stated. Embracing Karina, J.R. recognized the lady who required him towards the large win. You're amazing, and Im so grateful which i could participate the first mirrorball trophy, he stated as she gave him a hug around the oral cavity. AH Nation Poll: Did the best celebrity win Dwts? Click The Link to election! Take advantage of Kardashian and Cheryl Burke arrived in second place, while Ricki Lake and Derek Hough were shockingly removed within the first round on Tuesday nights show, despite they won 30 additional idol judges points and also the leaderboard top place within the programs first hour. Ive loved essentially every minute of the. Ive done something which I truly didnt think I possibly could do as well as for somebody that is really a middle-aged mother, I really hope I made the kids proud, my fiance and my loved ones, Ricki, who lost a lot more than 20 pounds while competing on the program, told show co-host Brooke Burke-Charvet. With Ricki out, it had been J.R. and Take advantage of who have been the 2 remaining stars who danced an immediate number using their partners for that final idol judges points. Each really gained perfect scores, however when combined with audiences votes (which paid for for 1 / 2 of their final tally), J.R. arrived on the top. It had been a difficult win for that military veteran who, throughout the path of the growing season, shared his dramatic existence story and the unbreakable spirit because he taken part for that leaderboard top place every week, frequently fighting it with Ricki and Derek. Starting your competition, the 28-year-old thought he was minimal known of the pack of celebs that incorporated Opposing team star Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest), former The Hillsides beauty Kristin Cavallari, style guru Carson Kressley, transgender activist Chaz Bono and coming back talk show host Ricki. But, as J.R.s dancing abilities enhanced, his support increased as fans updated directly into see his impressive ballroom achievements. And in addition they discovered his journey before Dancing, including how, in the tender chronilogical age of 19, J.R. became a member of the military. His existence transformed in 2003, when like a U . s . States Military infantryman used in Iraq, the18 wheeler he was driving hit a land mine and also the subsequent explosion led to burns over 40 % of his body. One place untouched through the explosion was where his watch covered his left wrist and that he told Access Hollywood earlier within the season, because he practiced with Karina, he got a tattoo of this watch to help remind him of methods he transformed his existence following the incident. It had been April 5, 2003 at 2:30 within the mid-day that my existence transformed forever also it didnt alternation in a tragic way, it transformed inside a beautiful way because I designed a option to change it out and go lower that road which was available to me, and here' am today, he stated. Now, today means a mirrorball win for J.R., contributing to an amazing year which includes being named among Peoples Most sexy Males of the season. And that he couldnt be more happy. Hoisting the mirrorball up following Tuesdays show, J.R. was beaming from ear to ear. DWTS returns to ABC for Season 14 on March 19, 2012. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Justice
The month of january Johnson and Nicolas Cage in 'Justice.' A Momentum Pictures (in U.K.) discharge of an Endgame Entertainment Co. presentation in colaboration with Aura Film Partnership and Fierce Entertainment of the Endgame Entertainment, Material Pictures and Ram Bergman production. (Worldwide sales: FilmNation, La.) Created by James D. Stern, Ram Bergman, Tobey Maguire. Executive producers, Douglas E. Hansen, Jenno Topping, Julie Goldstein, Christopher Petzel. Co-producers, Dork Pomier, Lucas Cruz. Directed by Roger Donaldson. Script, Robert Tannen, Yuri Zeltser, from the story by Tannen, Todd Hickey.Will Gerard - Nicolas Cage
Laura Gerard - The month of january Johnson
Simon - Guy Pearce
Jimmy - Harold Perrineau
Trudy - Jennifer Contractor
Lt. Durgan - Xander Berkeley
Alan Marsh - Jason Davis
Scar - IronE Singleton
Cancer - Wayne Pere
Det. Eco-friendly - Marcus Lyle
Brown Sideburns - Dikran Tulaine
Det. Rudeski - Joe ChrestNearly 2 yrs after cameras folded in New Orleans on "The Hungry Rabbit Jumps," the Nicolas Cage-starring vigilante thriller, now retitled "Justice," has began hitting theaters in Europe and Hong Kong. It is not well worth the wait: This unconvincing, workmanlike genre piece reps a substantial dip in quality for director Roger Donaldson after his 2008 heist pic "The Financial Institution Job." Without any release date yet for that U.S., where its title is "Seeking Justice," ancillary reps the pic's best opportunity for modest recoupment. Situated in Blighty as counterprogramming to "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning -- Part 1," the pic gained just 183,000 ($293,000) from 244 movie theaters in the first couple of days, showing a quick exit from theaters. Within the recent "The Following 72 Hours,Inch audiences rooted for Russell Crowe's British teacher to get an unlikely expertise and bust his wife from prison. "Justice" attempts an identical trick, casting Cage as nice-guy British teacher Will Gerard, easily clothed in corduroy pants and spectacles. When his music performer wife, Laura (The month of january Johnson), is extremely raped, Will feels their own powerlessness. Enter shaven-headed, sharp-suited Simon (Guy Pearce), who offers street justice for that crime in return for the next favor of vaguely modest proportions. The rapist will be summarily performed. Simon is just like his word when he later asks Will to do some routine surveillance on the guy he claims is really a child molester. However the stakes rise when he demands which will murder the suspect under consideration. Inside a contrived passage, Will finds themself suggested as a factor within the dying of the local newspaper reporter, held for police interrogation after which freed with a rogue cop when he discloses his understanding from the vigilante network's code phrase, "The hungry rabbit jumps." Obviously, it works out he was best in custody of the children. Despite a 2-part climax, beginning having a monster truck rally in the New Orleans Superdome, then moving towards the abandoned New Orleans Center retail center, "Justice" lacks the consistent thrills that may let the audience to indulge its numerous implausibilities. In another questionable selection of roles, Cage is unpersuasive being an inner-city schoolteacher, a component that provides him little leeway look around the loopier shades which were displayed so entertainingly in "Bad Lieutenant: The avenue for call New Orleans" and "Kick-Ass." As Will's friend and friend, gifted thesp Harold Perrineau is not given much to utilize, and Pearce (drafted near to the shoot start date) does not seem sensible from the shadowy Simon character, whose motivation remains obscure, partially since the p.o.v. remains almost solely using the protag. One particularly troubling part of the film is its ambivalent perspective on vigilante action, disapproving much more of its corrupt execution than its essence. Lenser David Tattersall uses compact digital camera models to capture a genuine flavor of publish-Katrina New Orleans, but such verisimilitude appears wasted around the script credited to Robert Tannen and Yuri Zeltser (working from the story by Tannen and cinematographer Todd Hickey), though because of the extended duration of publish-production, what resemblance the finished film bears for their original conception is anyone's guess. Inclusion of moments in the city's newspaper, police department as well as an urban senior high school indicates an ambition to provide texture and flavor like "The Wire," clearly an positive goal.Camera (color, wide-screen, HD), David Tattersall editor, Jay Cassidy music, J. Peter Robinson music supervisor, John Houlihan production designer, Dennis Washington art director, Kelly Curley set decorator, Alice Baker costume designer, Caroline Eselin Schaffer seem (Dolby Digital), Pawel Wdowczak supervisory seem editor, Trevor Jolly re-recording mixer, Leslie Shatz effects coordinator, David K. Nami visual effects administrators, Dick Edwards, Christopher Bremble visual effects, Invisible Effects, Modern Videofilm, Base-Forex stunt coordinator, Andy Cheng assistant director, Jonathan McGarry second unit director, Cheng second unit camera, John Peters casting, Mary Vernieu, Venus Kanani. Examined at Courthouse Doubletree Hotel, London, November. 2, 2011. Running time: 105 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Former Idol Ruben Studdard Files For Divorce
First Published: November 17, 2011 5:55 PM EST Credit: Getty Images COLUMBIANA, Ala. -- Caption Ruben Studdard steps out with a date at the 136th Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 1, 2010American Idol winner Ruben Studdard is divorcing his wife of three years, saying they havent lived together since last year. Court records show Studdard filed a contested divorce last week in Shelby County, where he lives in suburban Birmingham. The complaint says he and Zuri Studdard split in October 2010, and she now lives in the Atlanta suburb of Smyrna, Ga. The complaint cites a complete incompatibility of temperament for the divorce, and it asks a judge to enforce a prenuptial agreement that was signed before they wed in 2008. Studdard was known as the Velvet Teddy Bear when he won the second season of American Idol in 2003. Studdard is playing host to a weekend-long event in Birmingham that begins Friday and includes a half-marathon Sunday. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Bravo towards the HFPA for Returning Ough Gervais as Golden Globes Host (Opinion)
Paul Drinkwater/NBC via Getty Images Kudos towards the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for asking Ough Gervais to host the Golden Globe Honours for any third consecutive year, despite he blisteringly insulted them and several of the visitors at this past year's ceremony. To become perfectly honest, I didn't think they'd it inside them.our editor recommendsRicky Gervais Coming back as Host of Golden GlobesRicky Gervais Purports to Host Academy awards Following Eddie Murphy, Brett Ratner ExitsJohnny Depp Confronts Ough Gervais About Golden Globes Joke (Video)Ough Gervais Rejoins Twitter PHOTOS: Golden Globes 2011 Red-colored Carpet Arrivals The HFPA is really a strange group made up of a variety of mainly little-known journalists who periodically lead to guides based all over the world. It's just a little vague how the first is asked to enroll in the HFPA -- an associate once requested me, as we were built with a very enjoyable conversation, basically had any foreign ties that may justify a place for me personally -- but it's perfectly obvious the galleries frantically covet the favor of individuals that do. Consequently, HFPA people wield immense energy and influence in Hollywood -- and never forever in probably the most becoming of the way. Broadly known to as "star-f*ckers," its people basically demand that galleries host special tests of the films and arrange special press conferences using their films' stars particularly on their behalf (publish-press conference photo-operations are strongly urged), and also have a lengthy good reputation for rewarding the heavens who butter them in the most over lesser-known "stars' stars." (For example, all of them received Blu-Ray gamers in a party for Tobey Maguire, whose lengthy-shot best actor candidacy for Siblings was subsequently compensated having a nomination, plus they were flown to a Vegas concert performance of Cher, who then obtained a best song jerk.) PHOTOS: 2011 Golden Globes Party Photos What made Gervais an awesome host -- 2 yrs ago, and particularly this past year -- is the fact that he didn't pretend the aforementioned information was irrelevant or trivial, but instead joked about this within the same bemused way as everybody else within the film industry. Sure, it has to make the somewhat self-important HFPA feel just a little self-conscious and embarassed to become mocked and knocked lower a notch before millions by someone whom they'd hired to do something his or her ambassador around the world, however that things that he known as them on -- getting disproportionate influence for a lot of nobodies, supporting bad movies to be able to spend time using their stars, being prone to outdoors influence, etc. -- were (a) true, (b) funny, and (c) really built them into more relatable to everyone, within an odd way. In the end, wouldn't many people perform the same? Even though his injections in the alleged sexual preferences of countless well-known Scientologist celebrities might have entered the road of political-correctness, they merely elicited laughs as their underlying premise is one thing that everybody has heard before. What made Gervais so funny like a host and assisted him to provide great rankings for NBC in the last 2 yrs is simply that: his readiness to express what everybody has already been thinking but nobody will dare say. As well as for adopting might realizing that certain should have the ability to laugh at yourself, I only say bravo towards the HFPA. For all your problems, you have that one right, and, such as the countless other people who viewed your latter shows, I can now't wait for a next one. Golden Globes Ough Gervais HFPA Golden Globes 2012
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Academy Honors Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones and Dick Smith
Academy Honors Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones and Dick Smith By Gregg Kilday November 14, 2011 Photo by Getty Images James Earl Jones and Oprah Winfrey Emotions ran high at the third annual Governors Awards on Saturday night as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences celebrated the careers of actor James Earl Jones and make-up artist Dick Smith and then paid tribute to Oprah Winfrey, the recipient of its Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.Jones, who accepted his honor remotely, from a theater stage in London where he is currently appearing in "Driving Miss Daisy" opposite Vanessa Redgrave, said, "I am deeply honored, mighty grateful and" showing off a word he had learned in the U.K. "just plain gobsmacked."Smith, who was hailed as the godfather of make-up, was nearly overcome as he got out the words, "I have loved being a make-up artists so muchto have so much kindness given to meis just too muchI am so grateful."Winfrey, from her seat in the audience also wiped away a tear, as a young Barnard college student, Ayanna Hall, who had gone to school on a scholarship from the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, testified about the impact that Winfrey has had on thousands of lives. Speaking from her heart rather than prepared remarks, Winfrey explained the guiding principle between her commitment to philanthropy, saying, "Your life matters. You matter. What you do matters."After a week in which the Academy first saw Brett Ratner and Eddie Murphy drop out of producing and hosting the 84th Academy Awards, forcing the Academy to rush to quickly recruit Brian Grazer and Billy Crystal to save the show, the evening represented a reassuring return to tradition, even if this particular dinner, a non-televised dinner at which Academy governors mingle with Oscar hopefuls, is a relatively new invention.The program began with Darth Vadar, in a nod to Jones' signature vocal performance in "Star Wars," making his way through the grand ballroom at the Hollywood & Highland Center to the podium, where he removed his helmet only to reveal Academy president Tom Sherak beneath the mask.In the only public acknowledgement of the Oscar show near meltdown, Sherak began his remarks by asking, "How was your week?," to a round of laughter. He then quickly segued to the matters at hand. After calling out each of the honorees by name, he also took a moment to remember the producers Laura Ziskin, who died in June, and Gil Cates, who died Oct. 31. Both had produced Oscar shows Ziskin twice and Cates 14 times and, said Sherak, "to us, they were family" as he offered up a toast.The formal ceremony began with Mary J. Blige performing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from "The Lion King," for which Jones played the voice of Mafusa.Alec Baldwin kicked off the testimonials to Jones by reminding the crowd of the range of roles Jones has played, confessing "I wanted James Earl Jones's career that's what every actor wants" and also tossing in a pretty credible impersonation of Jones' deep bass voice. Glenn Close, admitting that watching Jones perform on stage in "Fences" reduced her to "a sobbing, stammering mess," said, "I just want to say thank you for what he has given me and all those who have been touched by his supreme artistry."Although Jones, 80, couldn't attend in person, his acceptance, filmed on the stage of the Wyndham Theatre after he'd completed a matinee performance, still had a spontaneous feel to it. After taking their bows, Redgrave asked the audience to stay in their seats for the presentation of the honorary Oscar, which former Academy president Sid Ganis, who was in the theater audience, had brought with him to London.Making a surprise appearance, Oscar winner Ben Kingsley walked out of the wings to hand the statuette to Jones. Delighted, Jones, said, "If an actor's nightmare is being on stage naked and not knowing your lines, what the heck do you call this? I have my clothes on, I know my words, and then out from the wings steps Sir Ben Kingsley and he hands me an Oscar! Frankly, what the heck else to call it but an actor's wet dream."The portion of the program devoted to Smith's work was introduced by Linda Blair, who was 13 when she starred in "The Exorcist." For that movie, Smith transformed her into a head-spinning demon. "For me, it was not as much fun as I think it was for Dick," she recalled fondly. "It was not a little girl's dream." But she explained how Smith worked hard to perfect the make-up demands of director William Friedkin, who insisted that Blair be recognizable beneath the effects. Writer, director and producer J. J. Abams, who included a nod to Smith in his recent film "Super 8," told of how as a movie-obsessed kid he'd written Smith a fan letter and how Smith sent back "an old, but clean tongue from 'The Exorcist,'" complete with instructions that Abrams should use peanut butter to stick it to his own tongue. The two struck up a correspondence that went on for years.Fellow make-up artist Rick Baker paid further testament to Smith, who received just one Oscar, for "Amadeus," during his career, saying not only did he invent "some new technique on basically every film he ever did" but then he also shared his inventions with his fellow make-up artists, circulating mimeographed notes that he scrupulously kept to describe his art.Prefacing his own remarks by saying "Please forgive me, my memory's not very good these days," Smith, 89, concluded, as his voice broke, "I will never forget tonight from the bottom of my heart."While a taped piece about Winfrey's career began with excerpts from her film performances in "The Color Purple" and "Beloved" and noted some of the movies she's had a hand in producing like "The Great Debaters" and "Precious," the focus was on her many philanthropic activities.First, though, producer Larry Gordonearned the biggest laughs of the night by recalling a party in Santa Barbara where he was amazed by Winfrey's ability to match him in downing tequila shots. "Oprah," he told her at the time, "you're a fking moose." The other guests were horrified, but the next morning, spotting him across the room, Winfrey defused the situation by throwing her arms open wide and proclaiming, "Baby, it's your fking moose!" "Congratulations my dearest, darling moose," he told her.John Travolta, one of Winfrey's long-standing friends, took credit for introducing Winfrey to tequila at his 50th birthday party, and added, "I would give you a second Oscar and that for your film acting because you are a damn good actress.It was left to Maria Shriver who has known Winfrey since they worked together at WJZ-TV in Baltimore in 1978 to laud Winfrey's generosity. "She's incredibly comfortable giving. She likes to give to her family, to her friends, to her community and to her country. She's always thinking how she can help others," Shriver said. "She's not good at one thing, she's really not good at sitting there accepting the love that so many people want to give her."When she did take the stage, Oprah, 57, credited Quincy Jones for seeing her on a TV talk show in Chicago and casting her in "The Color Purple," saying it was "the only reason I am here tonight.""I never imagined myself receiving an Oscar, certainly not for doing what I believe is a part of my calling, a part of my being," she added. Speaking of her life's journey, she cited "The Help," explaining the movie told the story of both her grandmother and her mother, who both worked as maids.Given her background, she continued, "It's unimaginable that I would be standing before you, voted by the board of governors. So when I say thank you, the thank you comes from a place deeper even than I know, because it's not just from me, it's from everybody who made me possible." The Hollywood Reporter Academy Honors Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones and Dick Smith By Gregg Kilday November 14, 2011 James Earl Jones and Oprah Winfrey PHOTO CREDIT Getty Images Emotions ran high at the third annual Governors Awards on Saturday night as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences celebrated the careers of actor James Earl Jones and make-up artist Dick Smith and then paid tribute to Oprah Winfrey, the recipient of its Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.Jones, who accepted his honor remotely, from a theater stage in London where he is currently appearing in "Driving Miss Daisy" opposite Vanessa Redgrave, said, "I am deeply honored, mighty grateful and" showing off a word he had learned in the U.K. "just plain gobsmacked."Smith, who was hailed as the godfather of make-up, was nearly overcome as he got out the words, "I have loved being a make-up artists so muchto have so much kindness given to meis just too muchI am so grateful."Winfrey, from her seat in the audience also wiped away a tear, as a young Barnard college student, Ayanna Hall, who had gone to school on a scholarship from the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, testified about the impact that Winfrey has had on thousands of lives. Speaking from her heart rather than prepared remarks, Winfrey explained the guiding principle between her commitment to philanthropy, saying, "Your life matters. You matter. What you do matters."After a week in which the Academy first saw Brett Ratner and Eddie Murphy drop out of producing and hosting the 84th Academy Awards, forcing the Academy to rush to quickly recruit Brian Grazer and Billy Crystal to save the show, the evening represented a reassuring return to tradition, even if this particular dinner, a non-televised dinner at which Academy governors mingle with Oscar hopefuls, is a relatively new invention.The program began with Darth Vadar, in a nod to Jones' signature vocal performance in "Star Wars," making his way through the grand ballroom at the Hollywood & Highland Center to the podium, where he removed his helmet only to reveal Academy president Tom Sherak beneath the mask.In the only public acknowledgement of the Oscar show near meltdown, Sherak began his remarks by asking, "How was your week?," to a round of laughter. He then quickly segued to the matters at hand. After calling out each of the honorees by name, he also took a moment to remember the producers Laura Ziskin, who died in June, and Gil Cates, who died Oct. 31. Both had produced Oscar shows Ziskin twice and Cates 14 times and, said Sherak, "to us, they were family" as he offered up a toast.The formal ceremony began with Mary J. Blige performing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from "The Lion King," for which Jones played the voice of Mafusa.Alec Baldwin kicked off the testimonials to Jones by reminding the crowd of the range of roles Jones has played, confessing "I wanted James Earl Jones's career that's what every actor wants" and also tossing in a pretty credible impersonation of Jones' deep bass voice. Glenn Close, admitting that watching Jones perform on stage in "Fences" reduced her to "a sobbing, stammering mess," said, "I just want to say thank you for what he has given me and all those who have been touched by his supreme artistry."Although Jones, 80, couldn't attend in person, his acceptance, filmed on the stage of the Wyndham Theatre after he'd completed a matinee performance, still had a spontaneous feel to it. After taking their bows, Redgrave asked the audience to stay in their seats for the presentation of the honorary Oscar, which former Academy president Sid Ganis, who was in the theater audience, had brought with him to London.Making a surprise appearance, Oscar winner Ben Kingsley walked out of the wings to hand the statuette to Jones. Delighted, Jones, said, "If an actor's nightmare is being on stage naked and not knowing your lines, what the heck do you call this? I have my clothes on, I know my words, and then out from the wings steps Sir Ben Kingsley and he hands me an Oscar! Frankly, what the heck else to call it but an actor's wet dream."The portion of the program devoted to Smith's work was introduced by Linda Blair, who was 13 when she starred in "The Exorcist." For that movie, Smith transformed her into a head-spinning demon. "For me, it was not as much fun as I think it was for Dick," she recalled fondly. "It was not a little girl's dream." But she explained how Smith worked hard to perfect the make-up demands of director William Friedkin, who insisted that Blair be recognizable beneath the effects. Writer, director and producer J. J. Abams, who included a nod to Smith in his recent film "Super 8," told of how as a movie-obsessed kid he'd written Smith a fan letter and how Smith sent back "an old, but clean tongue from 'The Exorcist,'" complete with instructions that Abrams should use peanut butter to stick it to his own tongue. The two struck up a correspondence that went on for years.Fellow make-up artist Rick Baker paid further testament to Smith, who received just one Oscar, for "Amadeus," during his career, saying not only did he invent "some new technique on basically every film he ever did" but then he also shared his inventions with his fellow make-up artists, circulating mimeographed notes that he scrupulously kept to describe his art.Prefacing his own remarks by saying "Please forgive me, my memory's not very good these days," Smith, 89, concluded, as his voice broke, "I will never forget tonight from the bottom of my heart."While a taped piece about Winfrey's career began with excerpts from her film performances in "The Color Purple" and "Beloved" and noted some of the movies she's had a hand in producing like "The Great Debaters" and "Precious," the focus was on her many philanthropic activities.First, though, producer Larry Gordonearned the biggest laughs of the night by recalling a party in Santa Barbara where he was amazed by Winfrey's ability to match him in downing tequila shots. "Oprah," he told her at the time, "you're a fking moose." The other guests were horrified, but the next morning, spotting him across the room, Winfrey defused the situation by throwing her arms open wide and proclaiming, "Baby, it's your fking moose!" "Congratulations my dearest, darling moose," he told her.John Travolta, one of Winfrey's long-standing friends, took credit for introducing Winfrey to tequila at his 50th birthday party, and added, "I would give you a second Oscar and that for your film acting because you are a damn good actress.It was left to Maria Shriver who has known Winfrey since they worked together at WJZ-TV in Baltimore in 1978 to laud Winfrey's generosity. "She's incredibly comfortable giving. She likes to give to her family, to her friends, to her community and to her country. She's always thinking how she can help others," Shriver said. "She's not good at one thing, she's really not good at sitting there accepting the love that so many people want to give her."When she did take the stage, Oprah, 57, credited Quincy Jones for seeing her on a TV talk show in Chicago and casting her in "The Color Purple," saying it was "the only reason I am here tonight.""I never imagined myself receiving an Oscar, certainly not for doing what I believe is a part of my calling, a part of my being," she added. Speaking of her life's journey, she cited "The Help," explaining the movie told the story of both her grandmother and her mother, who both worked as maids.Given her background, she continued, "It's unimaginable that I would be standing before you, voted by the board of governors. So when I say thank you, the thank you comes from a place deeper even than I know, because it's not just from me, it's from everybody who made me possible." The Hollywood Reporter
Friday, November 11, 2011
"Abilities" Coming back to 1 Tree Hill for Final Episode
Antwon Tanner One Tree Hill fans have been in for any nice reunion when Antwon "Abilities" Taylor returns for that series finale, TVGuide.com has confirmed. The CW Sets Midseason Premieres for just one Tree Hill, Return of Vampire Journals Last we had Abilities, he'd return from La to understand closest friend Mouth was dating his ex-girlfriend, Lauren. While particulars concerning the episode's plot are now being stored under systems (and it is too soon to spill secrets from your recent set visit), Abilities (Antwon Tanner) joins the growing listing of One Tree Hill alums making looks this year, including Chad Michael Murray, Bevin Prince and Barbara Alyn Forest. One Tree Hill (Finally) Casts Brooke Davis' Father for Last Season Another Cast Member Returns! Original cast member James Lafferty, who'll recur within the approaching Season 9, tweeted the gang was together for his or her final scene to become shot around the River Court. Sophia Rose bush also shared an enjoyable group picture from the inside Tric where singer Gavin DeGraw works within the show's final episode.DeGraw, who sang the initial primary title song "I Do Not Wanna Be," last designed a cameo in Season 5. One Tree Hill returns because of its ninth and final season on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 8/7c around the CW.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Associates: Approaching occasions
TODAY: The Acad hosts a screening of photos from 1911, presented on the hands-cranked film machine with live musical accompaniment. Linwood Dunn Theater. Academy awards.orgWEDNESDAY: The new sony Pictures TV's Andy Kaplan is probably the honorees in the Zimmer Children's Museum's annual fund-raiser. Beverly Hillsides Hotel. ZimmerMuseum.orgThe TV Acad hosts a panel sesh with Kelsey Grammer yet others from Starz's "Boss." Leonard Goldenson Theater. Emmys.tvTHURSDAY: Digital Domain vfx artists take part in a panel sesh around the making "Real Steel." Gnomon School of Visual Effects. Gnomonschool.comDocu "Grande Hotel" opens the Margaret Mead Film Festival at Gotham's American Museum of Natural History. Amnh.orgFRIDAY: The Japan Film Society is definitely the inaugural L.A. Eigafest. Through Sunday at Mann Chinese Theaters. Laeigafest.com Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com
Thursday, November 3, 2011
REVIEW: A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas Throws Off a Few Sparks, Then Fizzles
The great news about A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas is that it features some of the most original 3-D effects this side of Avatar: Raw-egg splatter comin’ right at ya, shockeroo Claymation penises that’ll rock your world, nativity Jesuses blasting into the sky and lots of mystical-looking marijuana smoke wafting straight off the screen and into your very own lungs, visually speaking at least. The not-so-great news is that A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas lacks the freewheeling, generous spirit of the first two Harold & Kumar movies and tries to make up for that lack with extra crudeness. The picture is extremely funny in places, and at times its sense of daring nudges close to brilliance. But the rest of the time, this extravaganza of tastelessness is working so hard to shock us that its recurring jolts settle into a kind of numbing dullness. It’s an extravaganza of bad taste that in the end just tastes bad. Several years have passed since the higher-and-high jinks of the 2008 Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, and Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn, back in action after his White House stint) are barely in touch. Harold is a Wall Street hotshot who’s happily settled, in a big house, with his wife, Maria (Paula Garcs). Kumar is living in their old apartment, a nest of empty pizza boxes and crumpled sofa cushions, self-medicating after his breakup with his girlfriend, Vanessa (Danneel Harris). Harold has overachieved in all areas but one: He and Maria have been trying for a year to conceive a child; Kumar, having drifted out of medical school on a waft of smoke, has underperformed in all areas but one: Vanessa appears at his door, testily, to inform him that she’s pregnant. Adulthood beckons our two hapless heroes, and in a big way. Then a magic spliff reunites the two friends, but it also causes a passel of trouble involving Maria’s stern, impossible-to-please papa (the great Danny Trejo), the virgin daughter of a Ukrainian mobster (he’s played by Elias Koteas) and an assortment of characters including the toddler daughter of Harold’s new, and very straitlaced, best friend, Todd (Thomas Lennon). During the course of A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas, little Ava will be introduced to pot, cocaine and ecstasy — and she loves it all! That’s a pretty daring move in a contemporary culture where children are mini-potentates who must be protected from bad influences at all costs, and Ava’s blissed-out giggles (she’s played by triplets Ashley, Chloe and Hannah Coss) make for the movie’s silliest, most subversive moments. Technically, A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas is something of a wonder: Director Todd Strauss-Schulson and writers Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg (who created the characters and have written all three Harold & Kumar movies) have come up with some surprising and inventive ideas, including a goofy-gory Claymation dream sequence heralded by the portentous words, “Don’t worry — nothing bad ever happens in Claymation.” And there’s a big Radio City-style musical number featuring Neil Patrick Harris that balances off-color one-liners and sight gags with lavish ridiculousness. But A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas wobbles off the rails more often than it ought to. The first two Harold & Kumar movies made no effort to stamp out racial stereotypes; instead, they reveled in them. But this third installment, as visually clever as it is, relies too much on dumb, crude jock humor: There seem to be more buxom, semi-naked girls clattering around in high heels than I recall from either of the earlier pictures. And a sequence in which Harris reveals that he’s not really gay but just fakes it so he can get girls seems genuinely perverse, and not in the good way: Maybe watching Harris ogle the comely cuties in his chorus line is supposed to be funny, but it just comes off as crass and forced (though you do have to give the writers extra points for managing to work the presence of Jesus, as a nightclub impresario no less, into the whole absurd affair). As a fan of the first two Harold & Kumar movies, I wanted to love A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. And I did get a kick out of the way Kumar, after Harold accidentally shoots Santa in the face, stitches old St. Nick back up, good as new. That moment is perhaps the truest measure of their friendship, a highlight of their joint adventure. But the rest of A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas is 2-D in its heart. Follow Stephanie Zacharek on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.
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