Jeff Bridges, Jason Reitman React To Oscar Nominations

In the day since the 2010 Oscar nominations were announced, we've heard stories about honorees hearing the good news, freaking out and saying gracious things. Yet there are many nominees who still have stories to tell and thanks to give.



Golden Globe winner and front-runner for the best actor Oscar Jeff Bridges ("Crazy Heart") told a CBS affiliate, "[T]o be acknowledged like that by the guys who do what you do is a wonderful, wonderful feeling. And to bring attention to this movie that I'm so proud of. And happy that I'm a part of."

"We are very happy to have received these nominations and would like to thank the Academy and everyone that made this film possible — a special thanks to Focus Features and Working Title Films," said Joel and Ethan Coen, whose "A Serious Man" received two nods, including Best Picture. "Thank you very much."

Fellow director Jason Reitman ("Up in the Air") told a story about the history of his films during awards season and his relationship with his director father, Ivan Reitman. "Five years ago, when I woke up to see if 'Thank You for Smoking' was going to get nominated and it didn't, my father was the first to console me," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "Two years ago, when 'Juno' was nominated, he was the first to call. And today, words can't describe what it's like to share a nomination with your dad. This is the man who taught me everything about life and directing."

Another director and writer, Wes Anderson ("Fantastic Mr. Fox"), related the long tale of adapting "Fox" for the screen. "I am very honored to have received an Oscar nomination for 'Fantastic Mr. Fox,' " he said in a statement. "Roald Dahl's classic story has been one of my favorite books since I first learned to read, and it was an amazing experience to work with my many, many very skilled collaborators and bring it to life as a stop-motion film!"

Bridges' "Crazy Heart" co-star Maggie Gyllenhaal, who was not nominated for a Golden Globe, said she was shocked by her Oscar nod for supporting actress. "I was completely surprised," she told a CBS affiliate. "I'm so proud of this movie. I'm more proud of my work in it than of anything I've done. But I haven't been nominated for anything else. I was just shocked. But thrilled. I mean, beyond thrilled. I was kind of shaking in the hallway this morning."

Carey Mulligan, a best actress nominee for "An Education," reacted with a similar sense of bewilderment. "You can have as many people tell you that you're going to get nominated, but it doesn't feel possible until it happens," she told THR. "I'm walking around the back garden of my friend's house where I'm staying, still pinching myself."

Christopher Plummer ("The Last Station"), conversely, took the nomination for his role as Leo Tolstoy in stride. "I'm just going to carry on with my life and be thankful and that's it," the 80-year-old said in statement. "My celebration days, which were huge, are now slightly modified, shall we say. At my exalted age, I can't quite do the old 24-hour nightly shifts that I used to."

Plummer's co-star Helen Mirren, who played Tolstoy's wife Sofya, said in a statement, "I'm very happy and honored for Christopher, myself and our film. I think Tolstoy himself would have been perplexed by all this, but Sofya, his wife, would have been over the moon. So in that spirit, I am, too."

Source:mtv.com/

Tinsley Moves On; Will Smith Talks Politics

Tinsley Mortimer's upcoming reality show has finished shooting. So, naturally, her "relationship" with former American Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis has come to an end, too. She's reportedly on the hunt for a new boyfriend, though, so if you know someone who'd a good match for the fame-obsessed socialite, do get in touch. [P6]
• Is it possible that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie planted those breakup rumors because it's Oscar season, they haven't been nominated for anything, and they wanted to make sure they remained in the spotlight? Anything's possible, right? [E!, NYDN]
• Padma Lakshmi is due to give birth next month, but she's still isn't revealing who the baby daddy is. Could it be on-again, off-again boyfriend and billionaire financier Teddy Forstmann? Or on-again, off-again boyfriend and venture capitalist Adam Dell, the younger brother of computer mogul Michael Dell? The mystery continues! [P6]
• Here's a sign of the apocalypse: Will Smith is thinking about running for president. (Yes, President of the United States.) [Popeater]

• Gisele Bundchen gave birth to her son Benjamin at home in the bathtub, not at a Boston hospital, as had been reported previously. No word on whether Tom Brady was present for the joyous occasion—or whether he was just totally grossed out. [Us]
• Chelsea Handler recently split up with her boyfriend (and boss) Ted Harbert, the dude who runs E! And it looks like poor Harbert isn't taking it well: He was seen drowning his sorrows at the bar at the Tribeca Grand, "complaining to everyone and anyone who would listen." Making matters more awkward: Handler's new book, which comes out next month, discusses their relationship at length and suggests they'll be together forever. [NYDN]
• Michael Lohan was arrested yesterday for calling his ex-girlfriend, Erin Muller, which is a violation of the restraining order she has against him. You'd think he would've learned his lesson by now—this is the third time he's been arrested for letting his fingers do the walking—but more importantly, doesn't he have any friends who can confiscate his phone when he's getting antsy to call her? Oh, right. Probably not. [NYP, TMZ]
• John Travolta went to Haiti earlier this week to deliver food and spread the message of Scientology. He says it was all very fulfilling, you'll be pleased to hear. [People]
• Stars continue to contribute cash to the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Nicole Kidman gave $250,000; and Gerard Butler, Sean Penn, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, and Daniel Craig each gave $50,000. [P6]
• Is Victoria Beckham suffering from body dysmorphic disorder? It would appear so, since she seems to think she's the same size as Jennifer Lopez. [NYM]
• Speaking of delusional thinking, Nicole Richie claims she never had an eating disorder and thinks all those reports were "insulting and irresponsible." [DM]
• Escort-turned-sex columnist Ashley Dupre has been hanging out at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. But it's not because she's planning to pose for the magazine. She's just there to attend a few Grammy parties, for your information. [P6]
• British guitarist Pete Townshend will be performing with The Who at the Super Bowl halftime show. But since he's a registered sex offender—he was busted for ordering child porn off the Internet in 2003—a community group has been distributing fliers warning area residents of his presence. [NYP]
• Despite the fact that Rihanna has been photographed frolicking on the beach with baseball player Matt Kemp, she says she's still "single" and plans to attend this weekend's Grammy's solo. [Us]
• Interested in seeing pics of Matthew McConaughey's new baby? Today's your lucky day. [People]
• Renee Zellweger went to go visit her boyfriend Bradley Cooper at his new house, and while she was sitting in her car outside waiting for him, an elderly woman clipped Zellweger's side door and mirror. Renee wasn't injured in the incident, you'll be happy to hear. And she even hugged the shaken old lady to console her. [TMZ, DM]

Source:cityfile.com/

Hollywood

Big year for Canada at Grammys

LOS ANGELES — Whether Canada’s Grammy nominees end up in the winners’ circle on Sunday is still anybody’s guess. But there’s no doubt they took centre stage late Thursday night.

That’s when the Canadian Consulate in Los Angeles threw its annual Grammy bash to celebrate and showcase this year’s nominees from north of the 49th parallel.

“There is every reason to be celebrating tonight ... as long as nobody trashes anything,” half-joked Consul General David Fransen at the celebrity-studded gathering, held under a giant tent surrounding the pool of his swank Hancock Park residence.

“This truly is an extraordinary year for Canada at the Grammys.”

Well, it’s not too shabby, anyway. At the 52nd annual ceremonies this weekend (airing live from L.A. on CBS and Global at 8 p.m. EST, 7 p.m. CST and 6 p.m. MST), 11 Canadian artists — including Nickelback, Michael Buble, David Foster, Drake and Neil Young — will compete for awards in 13 categories.

Another 10 Canucks — Diana Krall, Daniel Lanois, Natalie MacMaster, Oscar Peterson and others — are connected to 13 more nominations. Along with that, Winnipeg’s favourite son Young has been chosen 2010’s MusiCares Person of the Year, while Montreal legend Leonard Cohen is receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award.

While most of those major nominees were no-shows at the Consulate party, lesser-known candidates such as Montreal trip-hop duo Beast and Aboriginal powwow outfit Northern Cree made the scene. But there was one famous face: The 75-year-old Cohen, clad in his ever-present dark suit and fedora, made a brief appearance to say he was “deeply grateful” for his accolade.

“My great grandfather, Lazarus Cohen, came to Canada in 1869, to the county of Glengarry, a little town in Maberly,” the folk-rock icon said. “On this occasion, because of the great hospitality that was accorded my ancestor who came here over 140 years ago, I want to thank this country, Canada, for allowing us to live and work and flourish in a place that was different from all other places in the world. So I thank Canada for the opportunity that was given me to work and play and flourish.”

Tribute was also paid to the work and life of the late Pierre Cossette, a producer from Canada who is known as the “father of the Grammys” for bringing the award show to television. Mary Cossette, her voice breaking at times, gave a short tribute to her husband, who passed away in September.

For the most part, Thursday’s event — which was simulcast on radio — was a celebration. And while guest-of-honour Cohen didn’t play or flourish on this night, other performers did their best to make a dent in the party din. As the crowd of media, industry types, politicians and celebrities like singer Emmylou Harris and Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha shmoozed, munched fancy canapes and drank (what else?) Molson Canadian, they were treated to short sets by Vancouver singer-songwriter Dan Mangan, Newfoundland orch-rockers Hey Rosetta! and Toronto hip-hopper K’Naan. The latter closed the night with his song Wavin’ Flag, which he recently performed at the Canada for Haiti telethon.

Or rather, he was supposed to close the night — until superstar producer Lanois, who had told reporters earlier he planned to “rush the stage,” made good on his threat. He played an off-the-cuff song set with some members of his new band Black Dub. Then he and Emmylou Harris ended the show with a gorgeous duet, as Lanois called out the ballad’s chord changes to his standup bassist. That performance earned a rapturous ovation from fans who clustered around the stage with their cellphone-cameras hoisted.

darryl.sterdan@sunmedia.ca

Source:torontosun.com/

Ranking Meryl Streep's Oscar-nominated roles

Meryl Streep has been nominated for an Oscar a record 18,785,947 times. Well, close, anyway: she's received 15 Oscar nominations -- 12 for Best Actress and 3 for Best Supporting Actress -- which is more than any other performer in the history of the Academy Awards (she's won twice). And we might as well make that 16, because she's sure to be nominated for Best Actress for her 2009 performance as Julia Child in Julie & Julie. How do they stand up to the test of time? We run them down:

Not so bestest (in which Streep is the best thing in a movie that doesn't truly deserve her goddessness, or else makes otherwise mediocre material highly watchable):

Ironweed (1987)/nominated for Best Actress: Streep does alcoholism porn.

Postcards from the Edge (1990)/nominated for Best Actress: Streep does more substance-abuse porn.

The Bridges of Madison County (1995)/nominated for Best Actress: Streep does romance porn.

One True Thing (1998)/nominated for Best Actress: Streep does cancer porn.

Music of the Heart (1999)/nominated for Best Actress: Streep does education porn.

Medium bestest (in which Streep demonstrates her divinity by seducing you into honestly believing that the movie you're watching is hella better than it is):

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)/won for Best Supporting Actress: Streep won, I think, for this melodrama because the Academy was stunned by a female character who lived her own life even though -- *gasp* -- she had a child.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)/nominated for Best Actress: Streep's Wicked Witch of High Fashion is instantly iconic -- watch how she whispers, forcing everyone to get closer to her even though they hate her -- but this is basically a sitcom.

Doubt (2008)/nominated for Best Actress: Streep's mean ol' nun is a hoot, but the film lacks the power of the stage play it's based on.

Julie & Julia (2009)/anticipated nomination for Best Actress: Streep transcends impersonation to breath real life into a woman who had become more punch line than anything else; but she's a character who warrants her own movie, not half of one.

Almost bestest (in which the light of Streep-ness transcends other problems with a film):

The Deer Hunter (1978)/nominated for Best Supporting Actress: Great, great film, but Streep's role is so small -- the film isn't really about her character at all.

The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)/nominated for Best Actress: Victorian romantic scandal! Plus movie-within-a-movie meta!

Silkwood (1983)/nominated for Best Actress: A beautiful portrait of a complex, flawed person who happens to be female and working class ... but the rest of the package is flawed.

A Cry in the Dark (1988)/nominated for Best Actress: A dingo ate her baby. Features the famous Streep aptitude for accents -- in this case, Australian.

Bestest bestest (perfect movies, with Streep's perfection the cherry on top):

Sophie's Choice (1982)/won for Best Actress: What is the long-term impact of war? The horrors are right here.

Out of Africa (1985)/nominated for Best Actress: One of the best movies about women ever, thanks to Streep's honesty and strength.

Adaptation (2002)/nominated for Best Supporting Actress: Streep is the author of the impossible-to-adapt book, and she's nothing like you'd expect, and everything individual and unconventional and human.

Our prediction: She'll win this year. Even if it isn't for one of her best movies -- one of her best performances, sure, but not one of her best movies. Because the Academy will finally wake up and realize it's been almost 30 years since the Best Actress Evah got an official recognition of such.


Now you decide...

What is Meryl Streep's Best Oscar Nominated Performance?
1 Ironweed
2 Postcards from the Edge
3 The Bridges of Madison County
4 One True Thing
5 Music of the Heart
6 Kramer vs. Kramer
7 The Devil Wears Prada
8 Doubt
9 The Deer Hunter
10 The French Lieutenant's Woman
11 Silkwood
12 A Cry in the Dark
13 Sophie's Choice
14 Out of Africa
15 Adaptation

Source:seattlepi.com/

Oscar de la Renta!; Behind the scenes of Elisabeth’s job swap and see “Fashion Friday”

This Friday “The View” has something special stored for you. You get to watch the gorgeous Catherine Zeta-Jones talking about her Broadway musical plus you will taken behind the scenes of Elisabeth’s job swap and the biggest treat of them all – “Fashion Friday” with Oscar de la Renta.

Dominican/Puerto Rican, Oscar de la Renta is one of the world’s leading fashion designers
It all started in 1963, when in Paris, when Oscar realized that the future of fashion was not in haute couture, but in ready-to-wear – so he set off for America. But in New York, at the advice of Diana Vreeland, then Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, he returned to couture designing Elizabeth Arden’s custom-made clothing line. As Arden was known for beauty, not fashion, she promoted Oscar’s name on the label so that he was able to gain public recognition which paved the way for what was to become his own groundbreaking venture of the Oscar de la Renta signature ready-to-wear label, just two years down the road.

Oscar de la Renta’s Bridal collection, that was launched in 2008 gained huge recognition as the dresses featured extraordinary embroideries and beautiful fabrics, from silk duchess to French Alençon lace.

Oscar de la Renta is one of the leading design houses in the world today. The company has seen an influx of great young talent, as it continues to grow and expand as a global brand. His son-in-law Alex Bolen operates as Chief Executive Officer, step-daughter Eliza Bolen serves as Creative Director of Licensing, and his son Moises de la Renta works in the Design Studio.

Source:entertainmentandshowbiz.com/

A.R.Rahman’s back in Oscar Race With Tamil song Na na

Indian musician A.R. Rahman’s first Hollywood film Couple’s Retreat has won him a place in the Oscar shortlist yet again for Best Original Song.
The Tamil song Na na has been shortlisted for nomination in the original song category for the 82nd Academy Awards. The number is special for Rahman as it also marks his six-year-old son Alim’s debut as a singer.
The song will be competing with 62 other songs from eligible feature-length motion pictures for nomination, which will be announced February 2, reported the official website of the Academy awards.
Na Na was written by Rahman along with rapper Blaaze and Vivian Chaix and sung by the trio along with Alim, Clinton and Dominique. The musician, who had created history by becoming the first Indian to win two Oscars, is in the running for the coveted prize for the second consecutive year.
Last year his composition Jai ho had won the top prize in the Best Original Song and Rahman had taken the trophy for Best Soundtrack for his compositions in the film Slumdog Millionaire.
Directed by Emmy-nominated Peter Billingsley, Couple’s Retreat revolves around four couples trying to reconnect with each other through a tropical island vacation. The film stars Vince Vaughn, Kristin Davis among others.

Source:screenindia.com/

Anne Hathaway to announce Oscar nominations

Actress Anne Hathaway has been chosen to announce the Oscar nominations on February 2, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said on Tuesday.

Hathaway will join Academy President Tom Sherak at the early morning event, that signals the start of the most important stage in the awards season, culminating in the Oscar ceremony on March 7.

Hathaway was nominated last year for the best actress Oscar for her role in Rachel Getting Married.

Source:sify.com/

Oscar's Ad Rules Impact Big Sponsor

It’s a marvelous bit of synchronicity: the biggest advertiser on last year’s Oscar show is running an ad campaign featuring the voice of the favorite for this year’s Best Actor award.

A match made in heaven, right?

Wrong.

Instead, the fact that “Crazy Heart” star Jeff Bridges is the voice of Hyundai could cause a problem for the automaker, which bought four-and-a-half minutes of commercial time on last year’s show.

Or maybe it’d just be a problem for ABC, which can allow Hyundai to purchase ads this year but would have to position those ads carefully to avoid running afoul of AMPAS rules.

Since the show was first televised in the 1950s, the Academy has always had tight restrictions governing the commercials that can be shown on the Oscar telecast. Although the rules have been loosened slightly in recent years, the Academy still makes it difficult for advertisers to use ads featuring any of the show’s nominees, performers or presenters.

According to the Academy’s director of communications, Leslie Unger, sponsors are permitted to use nominees in their ads, but only if at least one hour elapses between the ad and the announcement of the nominee’s category. If the nominee is also a presenter, the same gap must occur between the ad and his or her appearance on the show.

The rule also applies to presenters and performers: no commercial spots featuring participating stars (even in voiceover) can run within an hour of that star’s appearance on the Oscar show. The purpose, says Unger, is ""to maintain a clear distinction between ad content and show content."

Hyundai took over from longtime automobile sponsor General Motors last year, and according to TNS Media was the largest single advertiser on the 2009 Oscar show. If the company wants to retain that presence on the upcoming show, it either needs to run non-Bridges ads or slot all of its commercials into the first half of the show, before the Best Actor category comes up.

And if Bridges is also booked as a presenter and appears earlier in the broadcast, ABC is going to have to do some fancy footwork to find safe places for those ads.

But at least Hyundai wouldn’t be restricted the way Coca-Cola was back in 1986, when it tried to buy time on the Oscars for an ad that featured the song “Ghostbusters,” a nominee for Best Original Song that night.

The Academy reportedly told Coke that they could air the spot only if they also aired four more commercials, each one set to the music of a different nominee: “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” “Footloose,” “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now).”

Coke declined; considering that every single nominee that year had been a Number One hit, the cost of such a move would likely have been astronomical.

This year’s rules governing ads on the Oscar show are the same as they were for last year’s show, which was the first after AMPAS loosened its restrictions on movie ads.

Until then, ads for films had been completely banned. “If you’re selling [movies] at the same time that you’re honoring the art, it blurs the message,” AMPAS executive director Bruce Davis once told me, admitting, “We’re a little prim about this stuff.”

But in recognition of declining ratings and a tough economy that caused ABC to cut ad rates on the telecast, the Academy’s board of governors voted to allow each studio to buy a single movie ad, provided that it be a newly-created spot advertising a movie that had yet to be released.

The result was Oscar-telecast ads for “The Proposal” and “The Soloist.”

In other Oscar advertising news, while the audience will likely be bigger, the ad rates won’t.

The cost of a 30-second spot is running between $1.3 million and $1.5 million, according to ad buyers who spoke to Ad Age. This is essentially the same price that ABC charged for ads last year, down from a high of $1.82 million in 2008.

If, as expected, higher ratings result from the interest in “Avatar” and other boxoffice hits that might make the expanded slate of 10 Best Picture nominees, ABC will be able to raise the rates for the 2011 Oscar show.

The Academy allows about 30 minutes of advertising during the three-and-a-half hour Oscar show, significantly less than most sporting events or prime-time television programs. Unlike, say, a sporting event, an Oscar show that runs long does not add additional commercials.

(Above: Jeff Bridges with wife Susan at November's Governors Awards. AMPAS photo by Michael Yada.)

Source:thewrap.com/