And The Winners Are!
BEST PICTURE
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
LOST IN TRANSLATION
MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
MYSTIC RIVER
SEABISCUIT
Dan's Pick - THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
Why? - The trilogy was such a success that they have to reward it with the Oscar. They HAVE to!
BEST DIRECTOR
Fernando Meirelles, CITY OF GOD
Peter Jackson, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
Sophia Coppola, LOST IN TRANSLATION
Peter Weir, MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD
Clint Eastwood, MYSTIC RIVER
Dan's Pick - Peter Jackson, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
Why? - See above. They just HAVE to!
BEST ACTRESS
Keisha Castle-Hughes - WHALE RIDER
Diane Keaton - SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE
Samantha Morton - IN AMERICA
Charlize Theron - MONSTER
Naomi Watts - 21 GRAMS
Dan's Pick - Charlize Theron - MONSTER
Why? - No one else in this category has even been mentioned.
BEST ACTOR
Johnny Depp - PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN
Ben Kingsley - HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
Jude Law - COLD MOUNTAIN
Bill Murray - LOST IN TRANSLATION
Sean Penn - MYSTIC RIVER
Dan's Pick - Bill Murray - LOST IN TRANSLATION (Dan thinks Penn will win but he just can't vote against Bill Murray)
Why? - I just can't vote against Bill. He was the best thing in a movie in 2003.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Shohreh Aghdashloo - HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
Patricia Clarkson - PIECES OF APRIL
Marcia Gay Harden - MYSTIC RIVER
Holly Hunter - THIRTEEN
Renιe Zellweger - COLD MOUNTAIN
Dan's Pick - Renιe Zellweger - COLD MOUNTAIN
Why? - She didn't win in 2003 for "Chicago" and since people like her and "Cold Mountain" has to win something, this is what it, and Renee, will win.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Alec Baldwin - THE COOLER
Benicio Del Toro - 21 GRAMS
Djimon Hounsou - IN AMERICA
Tim Robbins - MYSTIC RIVER
Ken Watanabe - THE LAST SAMURAI
Dan's Pick - Tim Robbins - MYSTIC RIVER
Why? - Like Charlize Theron, no one else in the category has been talked about.
Good luck to Bill and enjoy the Oscars!
Deuce Deuce
Sony Pictures has bought the rights to the sequel to DEUCE BIGALOW: MALE GIGOLO from Disney, because the Mouse thought the film was too racy. Sony and Happy Madison plan to begin production on DEUCE BIGALOW: EUROPEAN GIGOLO later this year. The sequel sees Deuce invited to vacation in Amsterdam by his pimp, only to find out he's being man-whored again.
BIG GET
Barbara Walters snagging an exclusive interview with Shrek. The green ogre will appear on Walters' Oscar special Sunday night.
TIGERSHACK
Tiger Woods to spoof the movie Caddyshack in an upcoming American Express commercial. The ad will feature Woods battling the movie's gopher, and finally using his American Express card to hire an exterminator.
Oscars Look Like 'Rings' Coronation Day
LOS ANGELES - Last year, the musical returned to Academy Awards grace with best-picture winner "Chicago." Now, the long-overlooked fantasy genre is positioned for Oscar favor.
"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" is shaping up as the dominant picture at the 76th annual awards Sunday. With clear front-runners in most major categories, the show could end up anticlimactic, though a surprise or two is possible.
A look at the nominees in the top categories:
Best picture:
Give those hairy little hobbits their Oscar and be done with it. "The Return of the King" is steamrolling its way to the top prize with momentum not seen since 1997's "Titanic."
The culmination of Peter Jackson's prodigious adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy trilogy, "Return of the King" is the darling of critics and audiences and has cleaned up at previous Hollywood honors, including the Golden Globes and awards from the guilds representing directors, actors and producers.
Few otherworldly films have ever been nominated, and no fantasy flick has won the top Oscar. But no other filmmaker ever took the genre as seriously as Jackson.
The previous two chapters, 2001's "The Fellowship of the Ring" and 2002's "The Two Towers," were nominated for best picture but lost. The sense from the start was that the good people of Middle-earth had their best Oscar shot with Part 3, as their epic battle against evil and Jackson's herculean labors to craft a nearly 10-hour saga reached a climax.
Fan adoration and ticket sales bear out that theory, with "Return of the King" the top-grossing of the three, becoming the No. 2 all-time box-office draw worldwide behind "Titanic." Reviews were reverential, and "Return of the King" was a rare populist choice for movie of the year by the typically hoity-toity New York Film Critics Circle.
The only potential chink in the film's armor is that it was shut out in the four acting categories. Actors, who make up about one-fourth of the 5,803 Oscar voters, sometimes are reluctant to embrace big special-effects films, feeling the visuals diminish their own craft.
Ian McKellen as the hoary wizard Gandalf scored the trilogy's only performing nomination, as supporting actor for "Fellowship of the Ring."
The Screen Actors Guild, though, did honor "Return of the King" with its award for best ensemble performance.
And Hollywood at large has great admiration for the humanity the players invested in the franchise's fanciful characters, including Elijah Wood and Sean Astin as pint-sized hobbits, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Bean and Miranda Otto as human warriors, Orlando Bloom and John Rhys-Davies as mismatched elf-dwarf buddies, and McKellen.
"I think one of our problems is we have such strong performances within an ensemble cast that it's difficult for any particular performance to rise above the others and become the dominant one," Jackson said. "And maybe the fantasy image does impact the actors a little. Do you take the performances as seriously if you're a wizard or a hobbit?"
Partly on the strength of acting nominations for Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Marcia Gay Harden, the somber vengeance drama "Mystic River" may be the strongest best-picture rival to "Return of the King."
But it's a distant second at best. With Penn and Robbins considered front-runners for lead and supporting actor, Oscar voters may feel they have done right by "Mystic River" in casting ballots for the performers, leaving the best-picture field to "Return of the King."
The other nominees the misfit friendship tale "Lost in Translation," the naval adventure "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" and the horse-racing drama "Seabiscuit" look like happy-to-be-nominated also-rans.
"Master and Commander" and "Seabiscuit" have historic depth that could have made them contenders in a year without a "Lord of the Rings"-style behemoth. "Lost in Translation" has a devoted following but probably is too quirky and intimate a story to go home with the top prize.
Best actor:
The Oscar is Sean Penn's to lose, but the surly actor who has been disparaging about awards in the past has put on an obliging front this time.
Penn's absence at last month's Golden Globes, where he was named best-dramatic actor as a vengeful father in "Mystic River," could have weakened his prospects, sending a signal to his peers that he simply does not care about Hollywood honors.
Since then, Penn has turned up at other awards functions and plans to attend the Oscars after skipping the ceremony for previous best-actor nominations for "Dead Man Walking," "Sweet and Lowdown" and "I Am Sam."
Penn's apparent message to Hollywood now: I will run if nominated, I will serve if elected.
"I am honored to be acknowledged," Penn graciously said the day nominations were announced.
His reputation as a dramatic heavyweight overdue for an Oscar helps Penn's prospects, and his supple performance in "Mystic River" ranging from unreasoning grief to seething rage to cold-blooded amorality is a worthy vehicle to bring Penn his Oscar.
Possibly sealing the deal is another terrific performance last fall as a dying heart patient in "21 Grams" which could well have earned Penn a second nomination if Oscar rules did not prohibit dual honors in the same acting category.
Penn's main competition is another standoffish actor, Bill Murray in "Lost in Translation," playing a has-been movie star shooting a commercial in Tokyo. Murray won the Golden Globe for comedy actor and has enormous good will in Hollywood as a jester who has elevated comic roles to higher art.
Academy respect was a long time coming for Murray, the ex-"Saturday Night Live" ham who had great success in the 1980s with broad comedies such as "Stripes" and "Ghostbusters" but was disregarded on early dramatic efforts like "The Razor's Edge."
"Groundhog Day," with Murray delivering one of the finest modern comedy performances, showcased his subtle timing. A terrific performance in "Rushmore" failed to earn Murray an Oscar nomination, but that role and such films as "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "Ed Wood" helped pave the way for an Oscar acceptance with "Lost in Translation."
Johnny Depp, nominated as the twitchy buccaneer of "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," was a surprise winner over Penn and Murray at the SAG Awards.
Depp's march to the Oscars was the opposite of Murray's. A career of daring dramatic roles in smaller films failed to earn Depp a single nomination, but he finally joined the Oscar club in a blockbuster action comedy.
The SAG win may have given Depp some extra Oscar votes as last-minute ballots trickled in, but academy members tend toward weighty drama such as "Mystic River" over broad comedy like "Pirates."
While Hollywood would love to give Depp an Oscar, it more likely will come for a meatier role down the road.
Ben Kingsley, in the running for "House of Sand and Fog," is a best-actor winner for "Gandhi" and had supporting-actor nominations for "Bugsy" and "Sexy Beast." Kingsley is a longshot this time as an Iranian immigrant battling for possession of a home. While a fine role, Kingsley's part is not the sort of slam-dunk performance that brings a second Oscar.
Likewise, Jude Law as a Civil War deserter in "Cold Mountain" is a longshot. Law, previously nominated as supporting actor for "The Talented Mr. Ripley," has been a distant runner-up in earlier film honors.
Best actress:
Oscar voters love physical transformations (Robert De Niro packing on the pounds for "Raging Bull," Daniel Day-Lewis feigning cerebral palsy in "My Left Foot," Nicole Kidman and her fake nose in "The Hours").
As serial killer Aileen Wuornos in "Monster," Charlize Theron obliterates her cover-girl beauty. She gained 30 pounds, wore dark contact lenses and was unrecognizable behind false teeth, stringy hair and splotchy makeup.
A fright wig and flabby flesh do not win Oscars, though. Theron's animated, anguished performance subtly allowing viewers to empathize with the character even as they find her actions repugnant has made her the favorite to win with her first nomination.
Before "Monster," Theron generally was dismissed as a pretty face with adequate acting chops at best. "The Cider House Rules" gave Theron her most notable serious role, but her other credits were heavy on so-so parts in mediocre movies.
Theron has triumphed in many earlier film honors, including the Golden Globes and SAG awards.
Diane Keaton, the Globe winner for comedy actress for "Something's Gotta Give," presents Theron's chief obstacle. Keaton, a best-actress winner for 1977's "Annie Hall" who also had nominations for "Reds" and "Marvin's Room," scored a huge commercial and critical comeback as a romantic cynic at the center of a love triangle.
Keaton's playful performance reminded viewers of an Annie Hall gracefully aged, and the film's $100 million gross put youth-minded Hollywood on notice that movies with older casts can click with audiences.
"Our generation of women has been discounted as a demographic that does not go to the movies, when in fact, we will," the 58-year-old Keaton said. "Give us a chance. We may not hit opening weekend like the younger generation does, but we'll be there. Movies with older people do have an audience. We'll go, and you can expect a profit."
As a champion for longevity in a business where actors and even filmmakers have a limited shelf life, Keaton could pull in enough votes for a second Oscar.
At the other end of the spectrum is 13-year-old Keisha Castle-Hughes, the youngest best-actress nominee ever. Castle-Hughes made a remarkable film debut as a Maori girl who bucks tradition and fights for leadership of her tribe in "Whale Rider."
But Castle-Hughes is a longshot, as is Samantha Morton, nominated for "In America," in which she plays an Irishwoman rebounding from tragedy and building a new life in New York City with her family. Morton previously was nominated as supporting actress for "Sweet and Lowdown."
First-time nominee Naomi Watts has an outside chance at a dark-horse win for "21 Grams," in which she plays a grieving wife and mother bent on revenge. It's a showy performance that takes Watts from quiet introspection to gut-wrenching sorrow to ferocious anger, and in a less competitive year, could have made Watts the front-runner.
Supporting actor:
Tim Robbins, who received the Golden Globe and SAG prize, is the likely winner for "Mystic River," in which he plays a man tormented by childhood trauma. Like co-star Penn, Robbins has a body of work that has earned him great respect among his peers, and "Mystic River" is his finest performance yet.
It was the first acting nomination for Robbins, who was nominated for best director on "Dead Man Walking."
Benicio Del Toro, a supporting-actor winner for "Traffic," is the only performer in the category with a previous Oscar nomination. Del Toro was honored for "21 Grams," in which he plays an ex-con whose efforts to go straight end in tragedy.
The other first-time nominees are Alec Baldwin as a slimy casino owner in "The Cooler," Djimon Hounsou as an artist dying of AIDS in "In America" and Ken Watanabe as a noble rebel warrior in "The Last Samurai."
Supporting actress:
With Renee Zellweger's third-straight nomination, this could be her year. Nominated previously as best actress for "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Chicago," Zellweger enlivened "Cold Mountain" with heart and humor as an indefatigable handywoman.
The Golden Globe and SAG winner, Zellweger looks to be the favorite at the Oscars, as well.
Two first-time nominees pose her main competition. Shohreh Aghdashloo has caught terrific Oscar buzz for her role as a compassionate Iranian woman in "House of Sand and Fog." And Patricia Clarkson, an overlooked Hollywood stalwart who has emerged with a string of notable roles, delivers an acerbically funny performance as a breast-cancer victim in "Pieces of April."
The other nominees have won Oscars, Marcia Gay Harden (supporting-actress recipient for "Pollock") and Holly Hunter (best-actress winner for "The Piano").
Harden was nominated this time as Robbins' rankled, suspicious wife in "Mystic River." Hunter, also a past nominee as best actress for "Broadcast News" and supporting actress for "The Firm," was cited again for "thirteen," in which she plays a single mom with a rebellious daughter.
Both Harden and Hunter are considered longshots.
Best director:
After seven years of work and three straight blockbusters, Peter Jackson should finally have an Oscar of his own to call "my precious."
With "Return of the King," Jackson won the top filmmaking prize at the Golden Globes and the Directors Guild of America awards. If Jackson fails to win the Oscar, it would be one of the biggest directing upsets in Hollywood history.
Jackson was nominated two years ago for "The Fellowship of the Ring," but he was snubbed by the Oscars last year for "The Two Towers." As with the best-picture race, the feeling has been that academy voters would hold off and give Jackson the Oscar for the final installment as an acknowledgment of the overall trilogy.
The other nominees include Clint Eastwood ("Mystic River"), who won the directing Oscar for "Unforgiven," which also earned him a best-actor nomination.
Peter Weir earned his fourth nomination for "Master and Commander." He previously was cited for "Witness," "Dead Poets Society" and "The Truman Show."
Sofia Coppola, the daughter of Oscar winner Francis Ford Coppola, earned her first directing nomination for "Lost in Translation." While an unlikely directing winner, Coppola could walk away with the original-screenplay Oscar.
The fifth nominee was a surprise pick, Fernando Meirelles for the Brazilian drug-crime drama "City of God."
Dueling X-Men?
Cinescape scoped out the latest issue of WIZARD magazine early and found a few interesting bits about X-MEN 3 and 4. Singer apparently plans to film the 3 and 4 simultaneously and apparently Singer plans for the film to deal with what would happen if humans and mutants went up against evolution itself.
STAY-AT-HOME PAMMY
Pamela Anderson telling E! News Live that she has retired from acting to spend more time with her kids. "I don't want to be an actress. I never did want to be an actress," Anderson said. "And actually it's been very fun and silly and the fact that I've done as much as I have is just fun. I have retired."
Jay-Z-Beatles Album an Unauthorized Hit
NEW YORK - When DJ Dangermouse decided to combine raps from Jay-Z's "The Black Album" with music from the Beatles' legendary "White Album" to create "The Grey Album," he didn't have permission from either side to do it and he didn't care.
"I intended for it to be for friends and for people who knew my stuff. I figured it would get passed around, and it would be this little underground thing, but it kind of took off on its own," said the music producer, born Brian Burton.
That's an understatement. Although he only pressed up a few thousand copies on CD, it has become a hotly traded album on the Web, sparking the consternation of the Beatles' parent label and an Internet protest in support of Dangermouse.
"This was not my intent to break copyright laws. It was my intent to make an art project," the Los Angeles-based producer told The Associated Press.
The ingenious album reconfigures the trippy Beatles rock to jibe with the Jay-Z's rough acapella raps. It's just the latest of countless unauthorized DJ mixes that have multiplied thanks to the power of the Internet.
"It's a complete deconstruction and reconstruction," says Dangermouse, who says he spent two weeks on the project.
Although Dangermouse says he created the "Grey Album" only for fans and friends, he did sell some copies to record stores and promote it on his Web site, www.djdangermouse.com.
Jay-Z's label, Roc-a-fella Records, didn't take any action against Dangermouse. While Damon Dash, head of Roc-a-fella, told The Associated Press that proper permission should have been obtained, he said, "I think it hot. It's the Beatles. It's two great legends together."
But EMI, which owns the Beatles recordings, sent Burton a cease-and-desist order. "The DJ did not ask permission at any time never approached us," said Jeanne Meyer, senior vice president of corporate communications for EMI.
Not that Dangermouse could remove all the copies from the Internet, even if he wanted to.
The album's profile may have gotten even bigger Tuesday, when the music activism site downhillbattle.org urged fans to post the music on Web sites for a day to protest EMI's cease-and-desist order. Nicholas Reville, a co-founder of the site, says more than 150 sites have participated.
"What's going on is that EMI is censoring a work of art," he said. "Not only are they telling musicians the kind of music they can or cannot create, they're trying to tell the public what we can and cannot listen to. We think EMI's attempts to censor it and prevent the public from hearing it are a huge problem and we shouldn't allow that kind of corporate censorship."
However, Meyer said the issue was not about censorship, but copyright protection. She says EMI routine approves samples and remixed works (usually for a price).
"We're not against sampling, We're not against remixes, we've been really progressive in it," she said. "The work is unauthorized, and people who are hosting it or are streaming it are being advised to stop."
Burton, who has produced tracks for artists like the rapper Cee-Lo and released the album "Ghetto Pop Life" last year with artist Jemini on Lex Records, was not getting involved with the Internet protest. He says the real intent of creating the "Grey Album" wasn't to protest copyright laws, but to create a musical dialogue between fans.
"I'm getting people like high school teachers using it as a lecture," he says, adding that Beatles fans have become more appreciative of Jay-Z's work, and vice versa.
"Their kids are asking for Beatles records now. I wanted to kind of have that be passed on to other people, that such radical things can really work."
Japan Abuzz With 'Translation' Reviews
TOKYO - To some, it's a superficial look at Japan that pokes fun at the natives. To others, the quirky side of Tokyo adds comic relief to the plight of Americans adrift in a foreign land.
"Lost In Translation" is still months away from opening in Japanese theaters, but Sofia Coppola's U.S. box-office hit is already causing a stir, generating a mix of admiration and exasperation in Japan.
Despite its critical acclaim, including three Golden Globes and four Academy Award nominations, the tale of two jet-lagged and lonely Americans stuck in this high-tech metropolis could be a tough sell in Japan.
"It's a comedy. But some Japanese might misunderstand that," said Fumihiro Hayashi, a friend of Coppola's who has a bit part in the movie. "I can see how those people will think it promotes stereotypes about Japan."
In the film, Bill Murray plays a washed-up actor shooting a whiskey commercial in Japan. Suffering from insomnia and culture shock, he finds unexpected kinship with a bored young wife, played by Scarlett Johansson. Together, they explore Tokyo's bizarre nightlife and pop culture.
Since the movie's U.S. premiere in September, Japanese abroad and a few at home have weighed in their opinions on Internet message boards and Web journals. For a small-budget, art-house production, it's getting plenty of attention.
Among the reviewers' biggest concerns: how the movie shapes the way the world sees Japan.
"There are stereotypical portrayals of Japan and discriminatory jokes," wrote Mirai Konishi, a movie columnist for eiga.com. "But I wasn't that offended. For an American movie about Japan, it's a frank, if somewhat exaggerated, snapshot."
Some reviews laud Coppola's deft directing and Murray's tragicomic confusion. Others complain the director too often shows Murray puzzled by Japanese people speaking broken English.
In one typical scene, Murray is stumped when a call girl unexpectedly arrives at his hotel room, hikes up her skirt and demands, "Lip my stocking!" mispronouncing the word "rip."
Everywhere Murray and Johansson go, they are struck by the bizarre and unfamiliar. At a hospital, nobody translates as a receptionist and doctor prattle in Japanese. In the street, a political candidate in a suit hollers slogans and runs alongside a campaign van. At a videogame arcade, a teenager with spiky hair and a dangling cigarette strums an air-guitar game.
When Murray or Johansson flicks on the TV, it's almost invariably weird: an aerobics instructor leading a troupe of women dressed in police outfits with plastic miniskirts; an effeminate talk show host who guffaws and prances around in a pink and blue patterned suit.
Murray can't even figure out the hotel gym equipment, which drones on in Japanese and only seems to run on hyperspeed.
For some Japanese, the weirdness of Japan was sadly exaggerated.
"I was depressed by how the movie seemed to state as fact, 'From an American's perspective, Japanese are strange and we can't communicate with them,'" a reviewer nicknamed Asian Muskrat wrote earlier this month on eigaseikatsu.com, an online movie information and chat site.
A few of the critiques sting. "I just pray that those who get interested in Japan after seeing this won't have a warped view," wrote a reviewer, Taa-chan, on a movie fan's personal chat room.
The vast majority of Japanese will have to wait until the film's opening in May to form their own opinions.
Japanese distributor Tohokushinsha Co. said "Lost In Translation" is opening so late because it's not typical Hollywood fare. Big-budget films tend to debut in Japan within weeks of their U.S. premiere at major cineplexes, while smaller ones stay at obscure theaters.
Even with all the publicity, Tohokushinsha is playing it safe. The movie will open at one Tokyo theater with seating for about 300, and so far the only advertisement is a Web site with a trailer and a brief plot introduction, company spokesman Yosuke Watanabe said.
Depending on ticket sales in the first two weeks, other theaters may show it for about a month, Watanabe said.
"We expect it to go to other theaters, in Osaka and other cities nationwide," he said. "But if it doesn't do well in Tokyo, its run could end there."
Oscars May Hold a Couple of Surprises
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Will the Oscars this Sunday be a ho-hum affair or will a dark horse named Seabiscuit come bounding out of the gate to beat hundreds of glory hungry Hobbits by a nose?
Frankly, the bookmakers are saying don't waste your money by betting on the nag because the odds are hugely against this happening.
But film experts think a couple of surprises are possible at the 76th annual Oscars even if "The Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King," is almost certain to race off with the major prize of the night, best picture, leaving 'Seabiscuit" and three other films biting the dust.
The biggest chance of an upset is expected in the best actor category which Tom O'Neil, the host of the online awards site GoldDerby.com., calls a "cliff-hanger in which three bad boy actors -- Sean Penn, Bill Murray and Johnny Depp -- are racing neck-and-neck and in which one of them will probably win by a nose."
Going into the home-stretch of the Oscars race, Penn was the favorite for his performance as ex-con anguished by the murder of his teenage daughter in Clint Eastwood's powerful crime thriller "Mystic River."
But O'Neil said Penn made a huge tactical error when he failed to attend the Golden Globe awards in January and gave Hollywood the impression that he wasn't interested in competing for filmdom's top prize, the Oscar.
Meanwhile, the British film industry's equivalent of the Oscars honored Murray for his performance as a lonely middle-aged actor adrift in Tokyo in "Lost in Translation" and the U.S. Screen Actors Guild unexpectedly gave its top award to Depp, who plays a flamboyant buccaneer in Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: the Curse of the Black Pearl."
Robert Osborne, author of "75 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards," says that "when the Oscars seem pat, that's when the surprises come" and his choice of this year's upset is, like O'Neil, the best actor's race.
"There is so much talk about Johnny Depp right now. Bill Murray gave a comedy performance which Oscar voters often don't go for and Penn is disliked in part because ... people get upset over his politics -- he did go to Iraq," Osborne said.
DEPP CHARGE
Time magazine film critic Richard Schickel also thinks that Depp has a strong shot at the award which last year went to Adrian Brody for 'The Pianist" in an upset victory.
"Bill Murray put in more of an appearance than a performance. He is not a lock. Sean Penn has a shot as does Depp .... who is not an underrated actor any more but one of the two or three best actors working."
The experts think that there is also a chance for an upset in one other acting category -- best supporting actress in which Renee Zellweger has been the favorite for her role in "Cold Mountain."
Although she won the Screen Actors Guild award for best supporting actress on Sunday, many critics think she could lose to either Shohreh Aghdashloo for her work as the wife of an Iranian colonel in "House of Sand and Fog" or to popular independent film star Patricia Clarkson, the mother in 'Pieces of April."
South African-born Charlize Theron is expected to win the best actress award for her performance as a prostitute serial killer in "Monster," with her strongest competition expected to come from Diane Keaton who plays a woman in her 50s finding love in 'Something's Gotta Give."
But Schickel think Theron has the edge: "She's going to win the Hilary Swank Memorial Oscar," referring to the Academy Award that the then unknown Swank won for an equally bold performance in "Boys Don't Cry."
"(Theron's) performance is very good even if the movie is not a bowl of Jello," Schickel said.
Gibson's 'Passion' Opens Amid Controversy
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mel Gibson's controversial movie "The Passion of the Christ" opened in cinemas across the United States on Wednesday as Jewish groups decried it as anti-Semitic and New York's Roman Catholic cardinal stressed Jews did not kill Jesus.
Manhattan cinemas opened doors early and did brisk business all day among people eager to see a film harshly criticized by some prominent film reviewers before its release in 3,006 theaters nationwide -- an opening normally reserved for blockbusters like Gibson's "Lethal Weapon" series.
"People are being too sensitive about it," said Elsie Figueroa after a morning showing on the Upper East Side. "The Romans are the ones who nailed him to the cross and the Jews helped. It was everyone."
Jewish and other religious groups held small, scattered protests later in the day. A couple dozen Jewish protesters wore concentration camp uniforms outside one Upper West Side theater as they sought to link the film's portrayal of Jews to the sort of hate that led to the Nazi Holocaust.
Carrying signs saying "Mel Gibson's 'Passion' is cruci-fiction," they were outnumbered by a media throng.
In Wichita, Kansas, one middle-aged woman died of an apparent heart attack while watching the film's climactic crucifixion scene, a local television station reported.
New York Cardinal Edward Egan wrote to parishes to stress Jews were not responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus.
"He gave His Life for us," Egan wrote in a column to appear in next month's issue of Catholic New York. "No one took it from Him. This is, and has always been, Catholic doctrine."
Anti-Defamation League National Director Abraham Foxman said he was troubled by Gibson's claim of historical accuracy.
"He made his choice," Foxman told a news conference after viewing the film. "And it's to blame the Jews."
He said he was concerned about reaction to the film outside the United States, particularly in the Middle East.
PROVOKING DEBATE
The film produced spirited debate outside one East Side theater as the audience left.
"Give us a chance to see the movie," Exodus Nicholas shouted at a Jewish woman who was complaining about the film.
"Jews should give us a chance to know who Jesus was, to know our history. If we really believe in Jesus and what he stood for, we come out of this movie loving people," she said.
Rabbi Avi Weiss, president of Jewish group Amcha, saw the same screening. "I care deeply about Jewish-Christian relations," he said. "This is a tremendous, tremendous setback. It is this lie, the lie that Jews were responsible for the murder of Jesus, which planted the seeds of the Holocaust."
Thousands in the Dallas suburb of Plano, Texas, flocked through the predawn darkness for a free screening at a Cineplex showing it on 20 screens throughout the day.
In recent days, the movie's producers have manufactured a buzz around the opening by arranging advance screenings in U.S. cities for church groups. The official opening was orchestrated for Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent -- the Christian season of penance before Easter.
BREAKFAST VIEWING
While moviegoers enjoyed their breakfast-time viewing of the blood-soaked movie -- many of them with their foreheads dabbed with ash from earlier church services -- many critics complained Gibson had lost the plot.
The New York Times said the film was half "horror movie" and half "slasher film" and likened its cruelty, brutality and violence to that of Quentin Tarantino, best known for directing "Pulp Fiction" and the more recent "Kill Bill."
The newspaper played down accusations of anti-Semitism leveled at Gibson's directorial work, saying the villainous portrayal of Jews in the film "does not seem to exceed what can be found in the source material."
"To condemn 'The Passion of the Christ' for its supposed bigotry is to miss its point and to misstate its problems," A.O. Scott wrote in the Times.
"'The Passion of the Christ' never provides a clear sense of what all the bloodshed was for, an inconclusiveness that is Mr. Gibson's most serious artistic flaw," he added.
Not all critics panned the film. Some praised it, including Roger Ebert who called it "a very great film."
Janet Jackson axed from Horne bio
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Janet Jackson has been left out in the rain after "Stormy Weather" singer Lena Horne balked at having the younger star play her in a planned television movie.
The 86-year-old Horne reportedly is angry about Jackson's breast-baring stunt at Super Bowl and pressured ABC to drop Jackson from the project, the trade newspaper Variety reported Tuesday.
Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who also produced the TV bios "The Three Stooges," "Martin and Lewis" and the controversial "The Reagans," also quit the project in solidarity with Jackson, Variety added.
ABC executives resisted Horne's demand, but Jackson representatives told the trade newspaper that she left willingly after Horne and her daughter, Gail Lumet Buckley, asked that she not take part.
The network wouldn't comment on the film Tuesday.
In addition to her work as a pop musician, Jackson also has acted in the films "Poetic Justice" and "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps." She was recently photographed in makeup designed to mimic Horne in a Vanity Fair photo spread.
New Who Songs Tipped For Best-Of Set
The Who's first new songs since the 1982 album "It's Hard" will be included on an upcoming best-of collection, Billboard.com has learned. Due March 30 via Geffen, "Then and Now! 1964-2004" will feature the new tracks "Real Good Looking Boy" and "Old Red Wine," alongside 18 of the legendary British rock act's familiar hits.
In November, guitarist Pete Townshend wrote on his official Web site that he and vocalist Roger Daltrey recorded "Real Good Looking Boy" with assistance from drummer Zak Starkey, keyboardist John "Rabbit" Bundrick, bassist Greg Lake and Townshend's brother Simon. No details are known about "Old Red Wine."
Now the group's lone surviving original members, Townshend and Daltrey have been working in earnest on new material since the summer 2002 death of bassist John Entwistle.
"Then and Now" will originally intended to be issued the same day as a DVD-Audio edition of the group's 1969 rock opera "Tommy," but that album has been pushed back to April 27. As previously reported, the Who will play "Tommy" live March 29 at London's Royal Albert Hall, as part of a benefit concert series for the Teenage Cancer Trust. The group is also confirmed to play March 22 and 24-25 at the London Forum and to co-headline the U.K.'s Isle of Wight Festival in June.
In related news, the Who's "I Can't Explain," "My Generation" and "I Can See for Miles" are featured on the boxed set "The British Invasion (1963-1967)," due Tuesday (March 2) from Hip-O/Universal Music Enterprises. The triple-disc package also sports classic tracks from Dusty Springfield, Manfred Mann, the Kinks, the Zombies, Tom Jones, the Small Faces, the Moody Blues and the Spencer Davis Group.
Here is the track list for "Then and Now!":
"I Can't Explain"
"My Generation"
"The Kids Are Alright"
"Substitute"
"I'm a Boy"
"Happy Jack"
"I Can See for Miles"
"Magic Bus"
"Pinball Wizard"
"See Me, Feel Me"
"Summertime Blues" (live)
"Behind Blue Eyes"
"Won't Get Fooled Again"
"5:15"
"Love, Reign O'er Me"
"Squeeze Box"
"Who You Are"
"You Better You Bet"
"Real Good Looking Boy"
"Old Red Wine"
Singer Alanis Morissette to host this year's Juno Awards in Edmonton
EDMONTON (CP) - Alanis Morissette has been pegged to host this year's Juno Awards, securing efforts by organizers for another star-studded evening.
The Ottawa native will be the face of a two-hour broadcast on April 4 when the country will honour the year's favourite musicians. Several years ago the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences got its act together and turned the once-stodgy show into a stellar night featuring high profile acts, starting with the Barenaked Ladies in 2002. The effort paid off in huge TV ratings.
And it hopes to beat previous records, such as the 2.2 million viewers entertained last year when Shania Twain wore various hockey-themed outfits. Juno producers are trying to squeeze in more performances, having already confirmed Avril Lavigne, Barenaked Ladies, Michael Buble, Nelly Furtado, Sarah McLachlan and Nickelback.
Morissette, a Juno nominee in the music DVD category, has won 12 Junos and seven Grammys and she has been a presenter at both shows.
"Having been engaged in the music industry in Canada and beheld the evolution of the Junos over the last two decades, I feel so honoured to be hosting the show," Morissette, 29, said in a statement.
"I see this as the least I can do in the way of gratitude for a show and a country that has supported and propelled me over the last few years."
For Morissette the timing couldn't be better. The singer/songwriter/producer will release an album, So Called Chaos, on May 18. The CD's first single, Everything, will hit radio next month.
This year will also mark Morissette's return to the big screen. She will play an actress in a musical film based on the life of American songwriter Cole Porter. Called Just One of Those Things, the film stars Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd.
Furtado, McLachlan and Nickelback lead this year's Juno nominations with five nods each. Celine Dion follows with four and Billy Talent, Our Lady Peace and Sam Roberts are tied with three apiece.
Tickets for the show, to be held at Rexall Place, are nearly sold out.
AP Oscar Predictions: Rings, Penn, Theron
You can never count out surprises at the Academy Awards, but this season is shaping up as fairly predictable. Associated Press movie reviewers David Germain and Christy Lemire, much to their chagrin, agree on many predictions for the top Oscar categories:
BEST PICTURE
Nominees: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," "Lost in Translation," "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," "Mystic River," "Seabiscuit."
LEMIRE: The hobbits and elves will finally rule Oscar night. "Rings" is a sure thing not because it's the best picture, which it's not, but because of the vastness of the entire trilogy. Without "Rings," the powerfully tragic "Mystic River" would win, though "Master and Commander" is the kind of classic epic that old-school Oscar voters love. "Seabiscuit" was inspiring and beautifully shot, but it's almost too feel-good. "Lost in Translation" is a small wonder too small to take the night's biggest prize.
GERMAIN: I could say "Ditto" and be done with it, but what's the fun of coming to work if you can't nag colleagues? "Return of the King" is a virtual lock, and if any other film wins, all of Hollywood will demand a re-count. Yet there's the slimmest of chances a performance piece such as "Mystic River" could win over enough actors, who account for one-fourth of the 5,803 Oscar voters, to steal the precious trophy from J.R.R. Tolkien's gang of hobbits.
BEST DIRECTOR
Nominees: Fernando Meirelles, "City of God"; Peter Jackson, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"; Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation"; Peter Weir, "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World"; Clint Eastwood, "Mystic River."
GERMAIN: Let's see, a cast and crew of thousands, a trio of three-hour epics in a two-year span, nearly $3 billion in worldwide ticket sales. Peter Jackson has elevated the fantasy genre to mainstream high art, and the Oscar is bound to be his. Any other year, Weir would have a great shot for his ambitious high-seas adventure. Eastwood and Coppola deliver admirably, but their films' true strength lies in the writing and acting. Meirelles' "City of God" is raw and brilliant, but against Jackson, he hasn't a prayer.
LEMIRE: The "Rings" trilogy is as impressive as it is because of Jackson's sweeping scope. Any other year, Eastwood would have a great shot with his best film since his Oscar-winning "Unforgiven." But I was also wowed by Weir's ability to tell a huge story that's also quiet and intimate. And I'm just glad to see Coppola and Meirelles two extremely observant directors whose films couldn't be more different receive the recognition they deserve.
BEST ACTOR
Nominees: Johnny Depp, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"; Ben Kingsley, "House of Sand and Fog"; Jude Law, "Cold Mountain"; Bill Murray, "Lost in Translation"; Sean Penn, "Mystic River."
LEMIRE: As a father grieving for his murdered daughter, Penn has the showiest role in a film full of showy roles. After three earlier nominations, he should finally get his Oscar. Though I'd like to see Murray win he brings such nuance to a complex part. Kingsley was startling, but he's already won for "Gandhi." Law wasn't even the best thing in "Cold Mountain." And Depp was a blast to watch, but he won't walk away with the pirate's booty this time.
GERMAIN: Another ditto on Depp, Kingsley and Law. Penn has softened his awards apathy, turning up at Hollywood events and promising to attend the Oscars after skipping the show for his previous three nominations. Good timing, since "Mystic River" should finally bring him his award. Penn's other top-notch role in last fall's "21 Grams" is fresh in people's minds, giving him an extra boost. Murray, one of the finest modern comic actors, does have a shot for a performance brimming with world-weary charm.
BEST ACTRESS
Nominees: Keisha Castle-Hughes, "Whale Rider"; Diane Keaton, "Something's Gotta Give"; Samantha Morton, "In America"; Charlize Theron, "Monster"; Naomi Watts, "21 Grams."
GERMAIN: Naysayers whine that people are suckered in by physical transformations, but Theron's sublime performance makes her the front-runner, not the pounds and makeup she put on to play serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Theron is frighteningly authentic, redefining herself as a daring actress. Keaton could be a sentimental spoiler for her comic comeback role, while Watts' showy performance gives her an outside shot. Morton and 13-year-old Castle-Hughes are terrific but just along for the ride.
LEMIRE: Theron gives THE female performance of the year she's an easy choice, even in a small, relentlessly bleak film. And you're right, Dave it's what's going on inside that truly astounds, the who-knew-she-had-that-in-her? factor. Watts is such an intense, instinctive actress, she'll get her Oscar one day. Keaton was lovely, but she's already been to the Oscar podium.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Nominees: Alec Baldwin, "The Cooler"; Benicio Del Toro, "21 Grams"; Djimon Hounsou, "In America"; Tim Robbins, "Mystic River"; Ken Watanabe, "The Last Samurai."
LEMIRE: This one's hard. Baldwin was fabulously sleazy as a Vegas casino owner, and I'd love to see him win. Del Toro was heartbreaking in one of the year's most emotional films. Hounsou and Watanabe each brought quiet strength and an intimidating presence to their roles. But Robbins is the heart of "Mystic River," and like his co-star Penn, should finally win his much-deserved Oscar.
GERMAIN: Actually, this one's not hard at all. Robbins has never been better, masterfully embodying an emotional wreck of a man with a few surprises left. Hollywood loves the guy and is just looking for a reason to give him the big prize. The other nominees are brilliant, but Del Toro already won for "Traffic," Baldwin did the slimeball thing better in "Glengarry Glen Ross," and neither Hounsou's nor Watanabe's roles have quite the flash to lift comparative unknowns above an established player like Robbins.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Nominees: Shohreh Aghdashloo, "House of Sand and Fog"; Patricia Clarkson, "Pieces of April"; Marcia Gay Harden, "Mystic River"; Holly Hunter, "thirteen"; Renee Zellweger, "Cold Mountain."
GERMAIN: Harden would get my vote if she had not won for "Pollock," putting her in the "already-got-one" category. Hunter, an Oscar winner for "The Piano," is a long shot for the same reason. With her third consecutive nomination, Zellweger should win for her role as a plucky Confederate survivor. Aghdashloo runs a close second, bringing tragic grace to her part as a motherly Iranian immigrant. And Clarkson cannot be counted out, a veteran finally getting her Oscar due with a caustically funny role as a breast-cancer victim.
LEMIRE: OK, here comes my maverick pick. The day Oscar nominations were announced, I said, "Renee, Renee, Renee." She's due, and who else could possibly win? But as time has passed, I've come to think Aghdashloo will take it. She gives such a subtle performance, it's as if she isn't even acting. (Plus, this is the category that often provides surprise winners just look at Harden.) Zellweger will get her Oscar in time, but not for "Cold Mountain," in which her performance is a bit shticky, even though it provides much-needed comic relief.
Prince Will Play Classics on Arena Tour
LOS ANGELES - Prince will return to arena stages for the first time in six years with a national tour featuring classic hits such as "When Doves Cry" and "Little Red Corvette."
"It's older music, but it's going to be played in a newer way," the typically reclusive performer said Tuesday in announcing the tour that begins March 29 in Los Angeles and will hit at least 38 cities.
Prince followed his announcement with a half-hour concert backed by his eight-piece group, the New Power Generation Band. He performed the title song from his upcoming new CD "Musicology" before answering questions from 200 fans and reporters.
The 45-year-old musician is in negotiations with various record labels to release his new disc. Since he parted with Warner Bros. in 1996 after a bitter feud, he has either released his albums on the Internet or through other labels or distribution deals.
His upcoming tour shows the singer is ready to move back into pop music mainstream he dropped out of in the '90s. He kicked off this month's Grammy telecast with Beyonce joining him on his hit "Purple Rain"; this marks the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking album and movie.
The Triplets of Belleville make their way to digital
An animated film threatening to topple Disney and Pixar for the Academy Award this year is no small feat. The Triplets of Belleville is making its way to DVD for those who missed in on the big screen.
Adopted by his grandmother, Madame Souza, Champion is a lonely little boy. Noticing that this lad is never happier than on a bicycle, Madame Souza puts him through a rigorous training process. Years go by and Champion becomes worthy of his name. Now he is ready to enter the world-famous cycling race, the Tour de France. However, during this cycling contest two mysterious, square-shouldered henchmen kidnap Champion.
The disc will contain five featurettes, a music video and a theatrical trailer.
Arriving on May 4th, the DVD has a suggested retail price of $24.96.
Cusack, Bellucci, Thornton Reap 'Harvest'
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - John Cusack, Monica Bellucci and Billy Bob Thornton will star in "Ice Harvest," a comedic thriller to be directed by Harold Ramis.
Set in a snowbound town on Christmas Eve, the Focus Features project centers on a not-so-bright lawyer (Cusack) who is about to embezzle money from his mob superiors. Bellucci plays an owner of a strip bar who is in cahoots with Thornton's character, who is using the lawyer to swindle the mob and plans to double-cross him.
The production, which sources put in the $10 million range, is due to begin filming in Cusack's Chicago hometown in April.
Cusack most recently starred in "Runaway Jury" and "Identity." Other credits include "High Fidelity" and "Being John Malkovich."
Italian actress Bellucci next appears in Mel Gibson's Wednesday release "The Passion of the Christ," in which she plays Mary Magdalene. Thornton most recently starred in "Bad Santa," for which he received a Golden Globe nomination.
Ramis' recent directing credits include the hit 1999 comedy "Analyze This" and its less successful 2002 sequel "Analyze That." In between, he directed 2000's "Bedazzled."
The Couch Is Back In Full Form!
This week in The Couch Potato Report we've got a jury, a child star, some spy kids, two matchstick men and a good director who's gone missing.
Up first, the latest film adaptation of a John Grisham book. But forget the fact that RUNAWAY JURY comes from the same man who wrote THE FIRM, A TIME TO KILL, THE PELICAN BRIEF and THE CLIENT. This is a film that finally puts screen veterans Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman together. Even as impressive as the casting is, the pair is magnificent on screen.
Those two top line a cast that also includes John Cusack and Rachel Weisz.
Set in New Orleans, this is the story of a mysterious man who gets himself not only on the jury of a landmark case against a gun manufacturer, but voted in as the foreman.
The case involves the widow of a man killed in an office shooting suing the gun manufacturer of the weapon that was used, under the claim that they knew the store that sold it was not obeying the laws about firearm sales.
Hackman and Hoffman, who have played unforgettable screen characters in other films, bring credibility to virtually any role they play. They have an exceptional scene of hostile confrontation in RUNAWAY JURY that makes the film worth recommending all on its own.
And I am recommending RUNAWAY JURY even though - with one exception - you will be able to know precisely where it's headed at all times. It's not the best film you'll see this week, month or year, but its a good rental.
So is SPY KIDS 3-D: GAME OVER.
This is reported to be the final installment in the "James Bond for kids" spy series from director Robert Rodriguez.
As SPY KIDS 3-D opens, pint-sized secret agent Juni has left the spy agency and launched a career as a private detective. When he finds out that his sister has disappeared into a computer game, he agrees to go in after her.
What Juni finds is a topsy-turvy world of battling robots, souped-up motorcycle races, frogs on pogo sticks, surfing on hot lava, and much, much more. It is a lot more fun for those watching the film as our sister isn't trapped.
SPY KIDS 3-D: GAME OVER isn't as good as the original SPY KIDS film, but I liked it a whole lot better than SPY KIDS 2. And I'm not even a kid! Well, maybe at heart I am.
At the heart of MATCHSTICK MEN - another one of this week's new releases - is how a con artist's swindle is disrupted by the arrival of his teenage daughter.
MATCHSTICK MEN is a well made con film that's also a family drama and a comedy. That comes from the picture's intelligent script and Ridley Scott's direction.
But the greatest thing you'll find in MATCHSTICK MEN is Alison Lohman's delightful acting. She plays a 14-year-old girl quite convincingly, even though she is really 23. In a film about deception this is a nice bit of deceiving, too.
Even if you enjoy being deceived, you should stay away from this week's final film. It is called THE MISSING and stars Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett. Director Ron Howard made THE MISSING after winning an Oscar for A BEAUTIFUL MIND.
One has to wonder what he was missing when he agreed to make this movie.
The story is about a daughter and father who team up to find a missing girl.
Perhaps that isn't the happiest premise for a film but with such a top notch cast, and an Academy Award winning director, the film seems to fall apart after the daughter goes missing.
The script simply failed to come up with any interesting twist,
Without sounding to clichι, if you never see it, you won't be missing THE MISSING.
RUNAWAY JURY, SPY KIDS 3-D: GAME OVER, MATCHSTICK MEN and THE MISSING are all available now at a store near you.
COMING NEXT WEEK IN THE COUCH POTATO REPORT
A fired musician creates a band out of 4th grade class in SCHOOL OF ROCK. This family film with Jack Black - who'd ever guessed those words would be next to each other - is a true delight from the moment it starts.
In COLD CREEK MANOR a family discovers that their new home harbors secrets, conceals a horrific past, and may not be free of the former inhabitants completely just as they begin to renovate. Its sort of TRADING SPACES, just without the babes, the carpenters and a logical plot.
LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION combines the classic cartoon characters with a script and live action cast that will never be considered classic. Well, except for Steve Martin as the President of the ACME Corporation, that is.
DUPLEX, the story of new homeowners who are forced to deal with the little old lady who lives upstairs, was the worst film of 2003. Even though it stars Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore it is absolute garbage!
Enjoy the movies and I'll meet you back here next week on The Couch!
New Music Releases
Here are the new CD's you'll find at a store near you on Tuesday, February 24, 2004:
* 10,000 MANIACS Campfire Songs (Rhino)
* BRAD MEHLDAU TRIO Anything Goes (Warner)
* BUCK 65 463 (SINGLE) (Warner)
* DAMIEN RICE O (CD+DVD) (Warner)
* DEVO Devo Live (DVD) (Warner)
* DISTURBED Music As a Weapon 2 (Warner)
* DISTURBED & VARIOUS ARTISTS Disturbed's Music As A Weapon 2 (CD+DVD) Combo (Warner)
* DUKE ELLINGTON Masterpieces by Ellington (Legacy)
* DUKE ELLINGTON Ellington Uptown (Legacy)
* DUKE ELLINGTON Festival Sessions (Legacy)
* EAMON I Don't Want You Back (Zomba)
* EMMYLOU HARRIS Pieces of the Sky (Expanded) (Rhino)
* EMMYLOU HARRIS Elite Hotel (Expanded) (Rhino)
* EMMYLOU HARRIS Luxury Liner (Expanded) (Rhino)
* EMMYLOU HARRIS Blue Kentuck Girl (Expanded) (Rhino)
* EMMYLOU HARRIS Quarter Moon In a Ten Cent Town (Expanded) (Rhino)
* G3 Live In Denver (Epic)
* GREAT BIG SEA Something Beautiful (Warner)
* JC CHASEZ Schizophrenic (Zomba)
* JIM CROCE Classic Hits of (Jim Croce) (Rhino)
* JOHN FRUSCIANTE Shadows Collide with People (Warner)
* KEB' MO Keep it Simple (Epic)
* KIDZ BOP KIDS Kidz Bop (Razor & Tie)
* MIKE OLDFIELD Tubular Bells 2003 (DVD) (Rhino)
* NELLIE MCKAY Get Away From Me (Columbia)
* OPETH Lamentations: Live At The Shepherd's Bush Empire 2003 (DVD) (Koch)
* OUMOU SANGARE Oumou (Nonesuch/Warner)
* PETER, PAUL & MARY In These Times (Rhino)
* RAISING THE FAWN The North Sea (Sonic Unyon)
* ROGER WHITTAKER Now and Then - Greatest Hits (Ariola)
* SIMPLE PLAN Perfect (CD SINGLE) (Atlantic)
* T. REX Electric Warrior (DVD Audio) (Rhino)
* TANTRIC After We Go (Warner)
* TANTRIC After We Go (Enhanced) (Warner)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS Girls Night Out 3 (BMG)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS Soothe (Warner Strategic Marketing)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS The Best of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In 2 (DVD Set) (Warner)
* YES Tomato (expanded) (Rhino)
* YES Drama (expanded) (Rhino)
* YES 90125 (expanded) (Rhino)
'Analyze This' Actor Joe Viterelli Dies
LOS ANGELES - Joe Viterelli, a stocky actor whose pug-face helped him land a series of roles as lovable mugs in mob flicks that included "Analyze This" and its sequel, has died. He was 66.
Viterelli, of Los Angeles, died of complications from heart surgery at Valley Hospital in Las Vegas on Jan. 29, his son, film composer Joseph Vitarelli, who spells his last name differently than his father, told The Associated Press Monday.
A jack-of-all-trades before embarking on an acting career in his 50s, Viterelli said in interviews that he once operated a string of music schools started by his family in Queens. He later ran bars, drove a truck, owned a cleaning service and had a job drilling bowling-ball holes, he said.
A New York City native, Viterelli moved to Los Angeles in the late 1970s. He became friends with director Leo Penn, who thought Viterelli's tough-guy features would play well in movies and television.
Viterelli declined, but years later, the director's son, Sean Penn, called about his 1990 gangster tale "State of Grace."
"He said, 'Joe, we're looking for a character that's from your neighborhood," Viterelli recalled in an interview. "We've seen about 50 to 60 people, and nobody's right.' He said the key words, 'Would you do me a favor?'"
Viterelli accepted the role and established himself as a dependable character actor, appearing in several dozen movies, including "Bullets Over Broadway," "Mobsters" and "Shallow Hal."
He originated his best-known role as Robert De Niro's ominously likable henchman Jelly in 1999's "Analyze This," reprising the part in the 2002 follow-up "Analyze That."
Viterelli is survived by his wife, Catherine, and their five children.
Richard Marx Signs With EMI
Hot on the heels of his song of the year Grammy win earlier this month for the Luther Vandross-sung "Dance With My Father," singer/songwriter Richard Marx has signed with EMI/Manhattan Records.
Marx, famed for late '80s hits such as "Hold on to the Nights" and "Right Here Waiting," is putting the finishing touches on an album slated for a summer release. Over the past few years, he has been writing songs and producing records for such top acts as 'N Sync and Josh Groban.
This marks a reunion for Marx and EMI Jaxx & Classics president/CEO Bruce Lundvall, who first signed Marx to Capitol Records in 1987.
"I asked him if he wanted to make a record, and his first response was, 'For whom?"' Lundvall said. "There is no question that Richard is a first-rate songwriter and performer with an inimitable voice."
Marx, who in the course of his career has sold about 30 million albums, landed on the music scene in 1987 with his self-titled debut. He released his most recent studio album, "Days in Avalon," independently in 2000.
Grohl Looks Ahead To Next Foos Album
With the long-festering self-titled debut from his metal-worshipping Probot project finally out in stores, Dave Grohl is looking ahead to the next Foo Fighters album. "We've got a couple of songs," he tells Billboard. "The thing is, we always get excited to make a new record, because it means we'll go back out on the road and have a good time for a year-and-a-half."
Unlike past albums that have been recorded in Grohl's Virginia basement, he says the upcoming RCA set will be captured in more upscale accommodations. "We're going to make the best balls-out record we've ever made, and we're going to make it in a studio. We're not used to studios, only basements."
The album will be the follow-up to 2002's "One by One," which debuted at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 1.05 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. It was named best rock album earlier this month at the 46th Grammy Awards.
"It doesn't really even matter that you win," Grohl told Billboard in January. "It's just the fact that you've been nominated. I've got enough of these things. Spread the love. Winning is great, but it's just being there. I fly my family in, we go to the parties afterward. It's really about being recognized that we worked hard on this thing."
For now, two members of the group are focusing on other projects. Bassist Nate Mendel is touring with two ex-Sunny Day Real Estate mates in the Fire Theft through April 17 in Los Angeles, while guitarist Chris Shifflet is on the road with Jackson United through March 8 in Anaheim, Calif.
'First Dates' Scores Again at Box Office
LOS ANGELES - Movie-goers have not forgotten "50 First Dates." The Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymore romance about a man wooing a memory-challenged woman took in $21 million to remain the top movie for a second weekend, easily fending off a rush of new flicks, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Lindsay Lohan's girl-power comedy "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" led the weak batch of newcomers, grossing $9.2 million for the No. 2 spot.
Kurt Russell's hockey holdover "Miracle," the second-place movie the previous two weekends, slipped to No. 3 with $8 million.
Three other new wide releases debuted poorly. Gene Hackman and Ray Romano's political farce "Welcome to Mooseport," about an ex-president running for small-town mayor against a plumber, was No. 4 with $7 million.
The teen-raunch comedy "Eurotrip," about a high school graduate's quest to find his dream girl in Germany, opened in fifth place with $6.6 million.
Meg Ryan's "Against the Ropes," in which she plays female boxing manager Jackie Kallen, premiered a distant No. 8 with $3 million.
All of the new movies received generally harsh reviews.
The overall box office tumbled, with the top 12 movies grossing $75.1 million, down 21 percent from the same weekend a year ago, when "Daredevil" and "Old School" led the pack.
February typically is a quiet month for movies, but the slump this week was bigger than usual.
"The level of audience disinterest is pretty stunning. They're just kind of checked out right now," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "You had four brand-new attractions, and they really could not make a dent. If not for '50 First Dates,' this would be an abysmal weekend."
Playing in 3,612 theaters, "50 First Dates" averaged $5,814 a cinema, a strong number for a movie in its second weekend and by far the best average among the top 10 films. The movie pushed its 10-day gross to $72.3 million.
The box office should get a boost next weekend with the Ash Wednesday debut of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," opening in about 3,000 theaters, a huge release for a religious-themed movie. Gibson orchestrated a grass-roots marketing campaign to promote the film, with Christian leaders spreading the word and church groups buying out theaters.
The movie, starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus, bloodily re-enacts Christ's final hours. It has drawn a storm of criticism from some Jewish and Christian leaders who say it could revive the notion that Jews collectively were responsible for the death of Christ.
Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "50 First Dates," $21 million.
2. "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen," $9.2 million.
3. "Miracle," $8 million.
4. "Welcome to Mooseport," $7 million.
5. "Eurotrip," $6.6 million.
6. "Barbershop 2: Back in Business," $6.3 million.
7. "Mystic River," $3.1 million.
8. "Against the Ropes," $3 million.
9. "The Butterfly Effect," $2.9 million.
10. "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," $2.8 million.
Carrie Ends Up With Big in 'Sex' Finale
NEW YORK - It took them six years to realize it, but Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big were meant for each other.
Many fans knew that all along, of course, despite numerous other men Carrie dated during the romantic, raunchy run of "Sex and the City."
So Sunday's finale was an answered prayer for viewers who, as the big day approached, had rooted for Carrie to choose Big over Aleksandr, the self-involved artist who enticed her to leave her beloved New York and move with him to Paris.
After almost 100 installments, this top-secret, much-hyped conclusion made good on its pledge to resolve the love life of New York sex columnist Carrie. Played by series star Sarah Jessica Parker, she returned to Manhattan with Big (Chris Noth), the on-again/off-again businessman beau with whom she first struck sparks on the HBO series' premiere.
With "Sex" the first of three long-running comedies (along with "Friends" and "Frasier" on NBC) coming to an end to this season, its finale set a standard theirs will be hardpressed to attain.
Meanwhile, it nicely tied up some loose ends concerning Carrie's three gal pals:
- Miranda, the hard-nosed realist played by Cynthia Nixon, remained a happy mother and the wife of bartender Steve, living in Brooklyn (where she opened her heart, and home, to Steve's ailing mother, inviting her to come live with them).
- Charlotte, the idealist (Kristin Davis) and her husband, Harry (formerly her divorce lawyer), got their wish after many disappointments: They'll be adopting a baby girl from China.
- And hot-blooded Samantha (Kim Cattrall) was solid with her boy-toy hunk, Smith, despite the loss of her sex drive from her successful treatment for breast cancer. In a tender exchange, he declared his love for her and she tearfully replied, "You've meant more to me than any man I've ever known."
Voila! A few scenes later, Samantha was her lusty self, nude in the sack astride Smith. Her final line on "Sex and the City" was a protracted howl of pleasure.
But first, Carrie had to confront her mistake in abandoning her city, her friends and her sense of herself to be with Aleksandr (played by Mikhail Baryshnikov).
"I am someone who's looking for love, real love ... can't-live-without-each-other love," Carrie told him, "and I don't think that love is here."
Moments later, Big, who had come to his senses and raced across the ocean to bring her home, found her alone in her Paris hotel lobby.
"It took me a really long time to get here," said Big, "but I'm here: Carrie, you're the one."
Once back in New York, Carrie surprised her friends at the coffee shop where they've exchanged so many confidences with one another over the years.
Then, as a special scoop at the fade-out, Big, the man known only by his Carrie-bestowed moniker, phoned her and, at long last, viewers learned his real name. There it was, displayed as the cell phone's caller ID: John.
Glorifying Manhattan, shopping and relationships, the series, which premiered in June 1998, was based on real-life sex columnist Candace Bushnell and created by Darren Star, then best known for concocting the Fox soap "Melrose Place."
It became a cultural phenomenon, defining a new breed of modern woman who wasn't afraid to talk about men and her desire for them with raw honesty, even as she gave top priority to her friendships with other women. (The show's four leading ladies graced a Time magazine cover that asked the question "Who Needs a Husband?")
But as Sunday's end neared, accompanied by eulogies for the series that soon would be over, a contradictory message was gaining strength: Maybe this isn't the end, after all.
Turns out the series' top executive, Michael Patrick King, and the show's cast are in discussions with HBO about a movie that would continue the saga, a network spokeswoman confirmed.
But in addressing the question two weeks ago, co-producer Parker waffled like a politician on the stump.
"I haven't made any decisions about how we might revisit this show and in what medium," she said, citing several projects that might keep her busy for the immediate future.
"It's very important to me that we are dignified and graceful in our exit from the (current) series," she added. "After that, if we hear a cry from the public, I think we have to respond to that, if we can do right by them."
So maybe more "Sex and the City" lies ahead. But until then, at least, the ladies are living happily ever after.
'Lost' Finds Top Writers Guild Award
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Sofia Coppola's Oscar momentum got a big boost Saturday when the Writers Guild of America awarded "Lost in Translation" its top honor for original screenplay.
Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman earned the laurel for adapted screenplay for bringing comic book cult hero Harvey Pekar's life to the screen in "American Splendor," which also is an underdog favorite for adapted screenplay in Sunday's awards season grand finale, the Academy Awards.
The guild embraced the auteur at the 56th annual WGA Awards, held at the Century Plaza Hotel, as both "Lost" and "Splendor" were also directed by their screenwriters.
In accepting her award, Coppola thanked her brother Roman and other friends she called for encouragement "when I was stuck" while writing "Lost," a story of loneliness and longing between strangers in a strange land.
Coppola's win makes her one of a handful of women to take the guild's top film honor. It also came 33 years after her father, Francis Ford Coppola, won his first WGA award, for 1970's "Patton" (which also earned the elder Coppola his first Oscar).
Coppola told reporters after the ceremony that she has been humbled by all the accolades showered on "Lost," but she allowed that the thumbs up from her fellow scribes might just give her "a little extra strut to my step" at Sunday's Oscar ceremony.
On the television side, Evan Katz won the drama series laurel for the "7 p.m.-8 p.m." episode of Fox's "24." Bob Daily won his second consecutive WGA trophy for NBC's "Frasier," this time for the episode "No Sex, Please, We're Skittish."
Katz quipped he was happy to be recognized by the WGA because he knew that winning "the Humanitas was a long shot" with an episode that involved "24's" Jack Bauer torturing a man and pretending to murder his children. (The Humanitas Awards honor writers for works that, among other things, "help liberate, enrich and unify human society.")
Larry Gelbart was not there to accept his award for original longform screenplay for HBO's "And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself." But Gelbart did send along prepared remarks, which duly noted his "chutzpah" at writing an acceptance speech "on spec."
Anne Meredith won adapted longform honors for Showtime's "Out of the Ashes," about a female doctor forced to work at Auschwitz.
Matt Selman of Fox's "The Simpsons" took the animation prize for "The Dad Who Knew Too Little" episode.
George Stevens Jr., Sara Lukinson and David Leaf won comedy/variety special for CBS' "Kennedy Center Honors" telecast.
Agnes Nixon and her team on ABC's "All My Children" earned their fifth WGA laurel for daytime serial. Paul Cooper was recognized in the children's script category for Showtime's "The Maldonado Miracle."
The current events documentary laurel went to Martin Smith for the "Truth, War and Consequences" installment of PBS' "Frontline." PBS' "American Experience" won the noncurrent events docu award for Marcia Smith's "The Murder of Emmett Till."
CBS News' John Craig Wilson prevailed in the TV news category for the "Showdown with Saddam" report. Michael Winship and Bill Moyers won in the news -- analysis/feature/commentary award for the "Wall Street" segment of Moyers' PBS series "Now With Bill Moyers."
In accepting the guild's Paddy Chayefsky lifetime achievement honor, veteran TV scribe Loring Mandel urged the crowd to think about the influence TV writers have as teachers in a culture where kids and teenagers often spend more time in a day watching TV than they do in school. Mandel's long list of credits stretches from "Studio One" and "Playhouse 90" to HBO's 2001 Emmy winner "Conspiracy."
"We can do better by holding ourselves to a higher standard," Mandel said.
The Screen Laurel achievement award went to John Michael Hayes, whose feature career was distinguished by collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock on "Rear Window," "To Catch a Thief," "The Trouble With Harry" and "The Man Who Knew Too Much."
Accepting the Paul Selvin Award for work that celebrates constitutional freedoms, Jason Horwitch, who penned the FX telefilm "The Pentagon Papers," quoted from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black's famed 1971 decision on the New York Times' right to publish classified Vietnam war documents.
"Paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving the people," Horwitch recited, adding that in his own view, "the relevance of these words unfortunately echoes today."
'Rings,' Depp, Theron Win Top Actors Guild Awards
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A cast of Hollywood hobbits and a "Monster" killer played by Charlize Theron won top honors at the Screen Actors Guild awards on Sunday, but a fishy pirate portrayed by Johnny Depp stole the show in an upset best actor victory.
The award for best film actress solidified Theron's position as a front-runner for an Oscar, the U.S. film industry's top honors to be given out on Feb. 29. It also cemented the bid for the best movie Oscar from the hobbits of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."
But Depp's victory added an element of suspense to next week's Oscars by giving him an award no one expected over favorites Bill Murray and Sean Penn.
The actors of "Rings" were named best cast, and last year's winner in the same group, "Chicago," earned the Oscar.
The SAG awards often provide strong clues to potential Oscar winners because actors make up the largest branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which gives out the Oscars. It has some 1,300 members, of the 5,800 voters for the Academy Awards.
Onstage, Theron thanked "my angel and my date tonight, my mom, who put me on a plane with a one-way ticket to Hollywood when I was 19 years old. Thank you for being so brave and for letting me go to make my dreams come true."
30 POUNDS & SAG AWARD
In the low-budget film "Monster," South African-born Theron plays serial killer and former prostitute Aileen Wuornos, who was executed for murdering men who picked her up.
Theron gained 30 pounds for the part, and her makeup and posturing masked her true beauty.
"I knew we were working on something very special. It felt different than anything I have ever done before," Theron told reporters backstage.
Speaking for "Rings," John Rhys-Davies, Gimli in the movie, said, "At the risk of sounding immodest, we deserved this award. This is the most enormous undertaking in film history."
Bill Murray in "Lost in Translation" and Sean Penn in "Mystic River" were believed to have had a lock on the favorite's position for best actor after earning Golden Globe awards for acting in January.
Depp, who played the wild-eyed and fanciful Captain Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," was not on hand, but backstage Al Pacino, who won the actor award for his role in cable TV mini-series "Angels in America," amplified the shock of everybody in the crowd.
He lifted an eyebrow and declared himself "really surprised" and "really thrilled."
"He's done so many interesting parts over the years that he got a reputation for being quirky, but he really wasn't. He's a fine actor," Pacino said.
Tim Robbins won best supporting actor for crime thriller "Mystic River" and Renee Zellweger won supporting actress in Civil War drama "Cold Mountain." It was her second straight SAG award after winning best actress for "Chicago."
SAG also gives out trophies for television and HBO's shows earned five awards including "Sex and the City," which won the best ensemble cast in a TV comedy on the very night it was airing its last episode.
"We will all miss you so much," said "Sex" star Kristin Davis. Davis, who plays Charlotte on the series about the love lives of four single women in New York, also thanked HBO for being so daring in letting the sexually frank show on the air.
HBO drama "Six Feet Under" earned the award for best cast in a drama for the second consecutive year.
Meryl Streep was named best actress in a TV movie or mini-series for cable TV network HBO's "Angels in America," about the AIDS epidemic in New York in the early 1980s.
Tony Shalhoub won the SAG trophy for best actor in a TV comedy, and Megan Mullally earned the honor of best actress in a comedy. Kiefer Sutherland earned the SAG award for best actor in a TV drama for "24," and Frances Conroy was named best actress in a drama for HBO's "Six Feet Under."
Coupling Times Three
Coming out on June 1st is Coupling: The Complete Third Season.
This two-disc set features seven episodes (of the UK series, not the dismal US update) in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby 2.0 surround, plus audio commentaries on each episode, outtakes and a still gallery.
Retail will list for $34.95.
The Couch Potato Report Special Edition for Hockey Day In Canada
This week in a Special Edition of The Couch Potato Report since it is Hockey Day In Canada - Ill take a look at some movies that include hockey.
Sports movies are a dime a dozen. Good sports movies are a bit harder to find. A good movie about hockey is literally one in a million.
Unlike baseball, football, and many other North American sports, Hollywood has virtually ignored the great game of hockey. When they have bothered to make a hockey movie, they havent really scored. In fact, with the exception of two movies, we hockey fans have been shut out at the movies.
Instead of spending this time talking about the many bad films that have been made about hockey, Im going to cover some films that arent about hockey, but have hockey in them.
For all of you Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves fans I am sorry to report that I wont be speaking about YOUNGBLOOD, even though this 1986 flick is mildly entertaining.
You also wont hear me utter a word about THE MIGHTY DUCKS. One, two or three. Yes, Disney did score a major box office hit with this sad-sack team of hockey playing kids, but hockey was just the backdrop. It could have been any sport, like baseball.
No, wait, they already made a baseball film about that very same subject. It was released in 1976 and was called THE BAD NEWS BEARS.
So with two exceptions, which Ill get to in a minute, let me reference two movies that arent about hockey, but have hockey in them.
Ill start with WAYNES WORLD.
In this 1992 gem film Mike Myers and Dana Carvey are Wayne and Garth two teens who live at home and have their own low-rent cable-access show in which they celebrate their favorite female movie stars and heavy-metal bands.
While it was based in a suburb of Chicago, it was actually based on Myers personal experiences growing up in a suburb of Toronto.
A suburb where they played road hockey. I ask you: Whats more Canadian that playing road hockey and having to stop for a car?
No WAYNES WORLD isnt about hockey, but its a better movie because it includes it.
Another great film that includes hockey is actually my favourite film of all time. The picture is called STRANGE BREW and it is the one and only cinematic adventure of SCTVs BOB & DOUG McKENZIE two of the most iconic Canadians of all time.
In a nutshell STRANGE BREW is actually a well-sustained parody of Shakepeares HAMLET, with a little hockey thrown in on the side.
Since it isnt a real game of hockey, but merely an attempt to control the world through beer, I guess including STRANGE BREW is a bit of a stretch, but as it ponders on the video and DVD package for the film: What matters most in life, eh? Hockey, donuts and beer.
Arent those things synonymous with Canadians? And isnt it hockey day in Canada?
Okay, before I get too far off topic, lets drop the puck on this edition of The Couch Potato Report and let me tell you about two movies that not only have hockey in them, but are actually hockey movies.
MYSTERY, ALSAKA stars a pre-superstar Russell Crowe who is a small-town Sherriff and a player during the weekly game. The people in mystery love hockey. Their lives revolve around it. As a publicity stunt the NHLs New York Rangers propose to visit Mystery for a game.
If you havent seen MYSTERY, ALASKA I dont want to say anything else as you should experience this wonderful little film without knowing too much about it. Especially the ending and the Don Cherry type commentator who appears in the middle of the film.
MYSTERY, ALASKA is a great hockey movie, but any conversation about the best hockey movie of all time has to begin and end with a slap shot.
Its not even close, the definitive hockey film is SLAP SHOT.
Paul Newman and his Butch Cassidy director, George Roy Hill, made a very original comedy in this 1977 story of an over-the-hill player/coach for a lousy hockey team who gets results when he teaches his players to get dirty.
SLAP SHOT itself is dirty. It might be one of the most hilariously profane movies ever to come out of Hollywood.
It certainly is one of the most hilarious films that Hollywood has ever made.
WAYNES WORLD, STRANGE BREW, MYSTERY, ALASKA and SLAP SHOT are available on DVD at a store near you.
COMING NEXT WEEK
SPY KIDS 3-D: GAME OVER - This is the third (and reported final) installment in the very entertaining series.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell star in this picture about con men.
THE MISSING - Ron Howard followed up his Oscar winning turn in A BEAUTIFUL MIND with this forgettable pseudo western. In it a daughter and father team up to find a missing girl. (Tommy Lee Jones, Cate Blanchett, Simon Baker)
PIECES OF APRIL - A young woman tries to bring her family together for Thanksgiving. (Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson, Oliver Platt).
Enjoy the movies and Ill see you back here next week on The Couch.
Television Academy Shakes Up Emmy Rules
LOS ANGELES - The television academy is shaking up Emmy rules to try to freshen a competition that sees the same shows winning trophies year after year.
As part of changes approved this week by the academy's Board of Governors, members will have the opportunity to choose up to 10 nominees per category double the current five.
The top five vote-getters will end up as the nominees in each category, keeping the number of contenders the same as it has been traditionally.
But the mix should be more representative of the growing bounty of programming on cable and newer broadcast channels, academy spokeswoman Pam Ruben Golum said Friday.
"This gives the approximately 12,000 academy members a chance to expand the field of nominees," she said.
Unlike the Academy Awards, which recognize a new crop of films each year, the Emmys fall into rerun territory because shows are eligible as long as they air original episodes in the Emmy calendar year.
The result has been winning streaks like that of NBC's White House drama "The West Wing," named best drama series for the last three consecutive ceremonies.
It makes for impressive records but predictable shows. Observers have also complained that less mainstream fare, such as UPN's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," are routinely shut out of major awards.
The modification, one of several approved by the board Wednesday, comes under new Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Chairman Dick Askin.
"Our awards rules and procedures have remained virtually unchanged over the last ten years," Askin said, adding that the approach will be "more representative of television as it is today."
Among other changes, the board also altered how many episodes must be submitted in the drama and comedy series categories. More episodes, six rather than three, must be included as an original submission seeking nomination; for the final round of judging to determine winners, voters will consider six rather than the previous eight episodes.
The new rules will be in effect when academy members vote on the 2004 prime-time Emmy, to be held Sept. 19 and air on ABC. Nominations will be announced July 15.
Weekend Movies: Four Films to Split Box Office
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Hollywood's major studios released four films nationwide on Friday, hoping to grab a slice of the box office pie ahead of next week's widely anticipated release, "The Passion of the Christ."
The movies vary widely from mainstream fare in "Welcome to Mooseport," featuring TV star Ray Romano, to college-age comedy "Eurotrip," teen flick "Confessions of a Drama Queen" and boxing drama "Against the Ropes" with Meg Ryan.
Because they are aimed at different audiences, the four will likely splinter the box office take from moviegoers looking for new films. As a result, the four will find it hard to compete with reigning box office champ, "50 First Dates," because even if its sales drop an acceptable 40 to 50 percent from last week's three-day total of $40 million, "Dates" would ring up $20 million or more -- a hefty weekend sum in February.
Still, it is the business of movie studios have to crank out new films, and none in this weekend's mix are budget-busters with big time special effects, elaborate settings or a cast that is full of expensive stars.
Twentieth Century Fox's "Welcome to Mooseport" is the widest new release in just under 2900 theaters, and seeks to take advantage of election year politics with a story of a former U.S. president (Gene Hackman) who runs for mayor of the small town of Mooseport, Maine.
His campaign heats up when local handyman and all-around good guy, Handy Harrison (Romano), runs against him. The race get even stickier when Handy's girlfriend (Maura Tierney) fakes a crush on the ex-president to coax Handy into proposing. The movie is rated PG-13 for brief sexual comments and nudity.
LONG, STRANGE TRIPS
DreamWorks SKG rolls out "Eurotrip" and Walt Disney Pictures ushers in "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen," both in around 2500 theaters.
"Eurotrip" comes from the same producing team as 2000's "Road Trip" and 2003's "Old School," both hits with college kids thinking about sex, drinking, sex, and more drinking.
The main cast is relatively unknown except for Michelle Trachtenberg, star of TV's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." She plays one-half of a pair of twins on a trek to Berlin with two guy friends led by Scotty.
After a long e-mail relationship with a German girl named Mieke, Scotty thinks he may be in love and must find out for sure. He and his friends head for Berlin, taking audiences for a romp through London, Paris and Amsterdam. "Eurotrip" is rated R for sexuality, nudity, language, drug and alcohol content.
"Drama Queen" features 17-year-old Lindsay Lohan, who has starred in two previous Disney movies, 1998's "The Parent Trap" and last year's surprise summer hit "Freaky Friday."
In "Drama Queen," Lohan plays 15-year-old Lola whose mom uproots her from their fashionable Manhattan apartment and moves them to the stodgy suburbs of New Jersey.
Lola clashes with the most popular girl in high school, Carla, which is a big problem because Carla's dad is the lawyer for the rock band Sidarthur.
Lola and her best friend Ella idolize Sidarthur, and the movie follows their antics as they rival Carla to see who can get into the after-party for a Sidarthur concert. The movie is rated PG for mild thematic elements and brief language.
Paramount Pictures' "Against the Ropes" debuts in 1600 theaters, and is based on the true story of Jackie Kallen (Meg Ryan), who overcomes sexism in professional boxing to become a successful manager of fighters. It is rated PG-13 for crude language, violence, brief sensuality and some drug material.
THE REBEL VS. THE CLOWN
Everybody loves a clown but Oscar voters.
That longtime truism is getting a high-profile workout in the nail-biting Best Actor Oscar race between Bill Murray and Sean Penn.
There's no shortage of horse races at this year's Oscars - even if "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" seems a shoo-in for Best Picture, there are down-to-the-wire competitions for Best Actress (pitting Charlize Theron against Diane Keaton) and Best Supporting Actress (Renιe Zellweger vs. Iranian newcomer Shoreh Aghdashloo).
But the most intense interest is focused on Best Actor, where funnyman Bill Murray in the serious comedy "Lost in Translation" is rated even with Sean Penn - universally acclaimed as one of Hollywood's greatest actors in a very dark drama.
Oscar history strongly favors Penn. The winners in the Best Actor category overwhelmingly star in dramas, even if they are basically comic actors like Roberto Begnini, who won in '98 for "Life Is Beautiful."
The last Best Actor winner to actually star in a comedy was Richard Dreyfuss for "The Goodbye Girl" way back in 1977, and before that Lee Marvin in "Cat Ballou" ('65).
But the Murray-Penn race is so incredibly tight that some experts say that Johnny Depp could even conceivably sneak in as Best Actor for his rollicking turn in "Pirates of the Caribbean."
The anti-comedy trend is less inhibiting on the Best Actress side, where sentimental favorite Diane Keaton (as a love-struck playwright in "Something's Gotta Give") is poised for a possible upset over Charlize Theron (as a lesbian serial killer in "Monster").
Theron seemed a lock as recently as a month ago, but she may have peaked too soon.
There is also growing speculation that Academy voters may be weary of giving this prize to glamorous actresses who make themselves look less attractive to play victims - as did the last two winners, Nicole Kidman for "The Hours" and Halle Berry for "Monster's Ball."
And while the Best Actress winners are usually in dramas, there are somewhat more numerous recent precedents for wins in comedies.
In fact, there were three in a row from '96 to '98 - Frances McDormand for "Fargo," Helen Hunt for "As Good as It Gets," and Gwyneth Paltrow for "Shakespeare in Love."
Still, both Murray and Keaton will have to deal with the Hobbit factor.
Some longtime Oscar watchers predict voters - anticipating a sweep by "The Lord of the Rings," which would be the first-ever fantasy to win Best Picture - will try to balance their tickets by rewarding actors in "serious" roles, like Penn and Theron.
We'll find out Feb. 29 on ABC.
Starring Jason Mewes as Kato?
Miramax has tapped Kevin Smith to write and direct a feature film version of the classic tv show THE GREEN HORNET.
The show centered around Britt Reid (Van Williams), that by day is the millionaire publisher of The Daily Sentinel, but by night fights crime as The Green Hornet, alongside his trusty butler Kato (Bruce Lee).
"I dig the fact that he kicked off a run of billionaire playboys who decided to put on a mask and fight crime, and that he was Batman before there was a Batman," said Smith, speaking of the central character, which was created in 1936.
Smith says he never expected to dircect a film about a comicbook character, but he made an exception because the character isn't as well known. "I always said I'd never do one, based on my limited experience writing on SUPERMAN and having to answer to the studio, the producer, the comics company and eventually a director," Smith said. "Then there's a fandom that gets up in arms if you even try to stray from their character. Here, there is simplicity in the character and the situation."
"Equally important, the only person I have to answer to is [Miramax honcho] Harvey [Weinstein], with whom I've made four movies. This is the only circumstance that led me to take on a comicbook movie, and something so big."
"His work demonstrated his continued growth as a filmmaker, and we have no doubt that he will tackle this franchise for us in a compelling and entertaining way," Weinstein said, having recently watched Smith's upcoming JERSEY GIRL.
"Kevin knows more about comic characters, books and the creative process than anyone else I have ever met."
There are no deals in place yet for stars, but Smith says that he is interested in actors that were formerly attached to the project, including George Clooney as the Hornet and Jet Li as Kato.
Beastie Boys' New Album Due in June
NEW YORK (Billboard) - The Beastie Boys' next studio album will be released in early June via Capitol, according to an e-mail sent to members of the band's mailing list.
"We are in the studio finishing it now," the group said. "We're putting the final touches on the mixes right now and it will be out beginning of June."
The as-yet-untitled set is the long-awaited follow-up to 1998's "Hello Nasty," which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 3.8 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. The pioneering rap trio has made only a handful of live appearances in recent years.
The assets of the Beasties' defunct Grand Royal label are being sold via a Internet auction site. The imprint shuttered in March 2001.
'Sex and the City' May Get Big-Screen Treatment
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The four women who have spiced up Manhattan's singles scene for six seasons on "Sex and the City" may be headed to the big screen after their upcoming final romp on HBO, the network said on Wednesday.
Executive producer Michael Patrick King is writing a script for what would be a feature film version of "Sex and the City" that would essentially pick up where the series leaves off this coming Sunday, an HBO spokeswoman said.
The premium cable channel, owned by Time Warner Inc. , also is negotiating with the four series co-stars -- Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis -- to reprise their roles for the movie.
King, whose previous TV writing credits include "Cybill" and "Murphy Brown," would make his feature debut as director of the film. No production date has been set, and no distributor is yet on board with the project, the spokeswoman said.
"Sex and the City," one of the signature shows that established HBO as a creative powerhouse and became the first cable series to win an Emmy Award for best comedy, stars Parker as fashion-conscious New York columnist, Carrie Bradshaw, who writes about Manhattan's dating scene.
Cattrall co-stars as the vixen-like public relations executive Samantha Jones; Nixon as corporate lawyer Miranda Hobbes, juggling her career with motherhood; and Davis as Charlotte York, who married her own divorce lawyer after a long search for Mr. Right.
The series was created by Darren Star, who also originated "Beverly Hills, 90210" and was an executive producer on "Melrose Place."
While many TV shows over the years have been either based on movies or made into feature films, it is rare for prime-time shows to make the transition to the big screen with most of their original cast members. Among the few that have done so are "Star Trek," both the original series and "Star Trek: The Next Generation," and "The X-Files."
"Sex and the City" winds up Sunday, Feb. 22, with a 45-minute finale, following an hourlong farewell special featuring interviews and highlights from the series.
Norah Jones Delivers Chart-Topping Valentine
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sultry vocalist Norah Jones swept back to the pinnacle of the U.S. pop charts on Wednesday as her second release, "Feels Like Home," became the first album in nearly three years to sell more than 1 million copies its first week in stores.
The follow-up to her Grammy-winning blockbuster debut "Come Away With Me" shot to No. 1 in at least 16 countries in all, including Britain, according to Jones' Blue Note label.
Jones apparently benefited from an across-the-board surge in retail music sales last week reported by Nielsen SoundScan and attributed in part to Valentine's Day business and musical appetites wetted by the Feb. 8 Grammy Awards telecast.
In the United States, "Feels Like Home" sold 1,022,000 copies for the week ended Feb. 15, making it the biggest album launch so far this year and the first to crack the seven-figure mark since 'N Sync's "Celebrity" sold nearly 1.9 million copies its first week in July 2001, SoundScan said.
Jones' new album also gave a big boost to sales of "Come Away With Me," which returned to the U.S. top 20 with sales of nearly 80,000 copies, landing at No. 18 after an astonishing 103 weeks on the Billboard 200.
"This is the kind of achievement that one can only expect from a truly original, extraordinary artist like Norah," said Bruce Lundvall, president and chief executive of jazz and classics for EMI Music, North America.
New York-born, Texas-raised Jones, 24, daughter of Indian sitar master Ravi Shankar and former music promoter Sue Jones, came out of nowhere in 2002 with her breathy-voiced debut album of jazz, country and folk-influenced standards and new songs.
She garnered eight Grammys last year, including the coveted prize of album of the year for "Come Away With Me." That record has sold a total of 8.1 million U.S. copies and 17 million worldwide since its modest debut in March 2002 with first-week sales of just 9,700 units.
Several other artists enjoyed a Grammy sales bounce this past week, including the hip-hop duo OutKast, R&B singerBeyonce Knowles and ailing soul icon Luther Vandross, all of whom were big winners this year.
OutKast's double-CD set "Speakerboxx/The Love Below," named album of the year and best rap album, more than doubled its weekly sales to 275,000 copies, climbing two notches up the chart to No. 4.
Knowles' "Dangerously in Love" likewise jumped 11 spots to No. 12 on post-Grammy sales of 99,000 units. And Vandross' "Dance With My Father" nearly tripled its weekly haul with sales of 58,000 copies, springing to No. 28 from No. 61.
Rapper Kanye West made his debut at No. 2 on the charts with his first album, "The College Dropout," selling 441,000 copies its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The week of Valentine's Day is traditionally one of busiest sales periods for the music industry, and this past week was no exception. Album sales surpassed 17 million units.
GNR's 'Hits' Coming Before New Album
While work continues on Guns N' Roses' endlessly delayed album "Chinese Democracy," Geffen has set a March 23 release date for "Greatest Hits," compiling 14 of the hard rock act's best-known tracks. The album boasts such favorites as "Welcome to the Jungle," "Sweet Child O' Mine," "Patience," "Paradise City" and a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil" from the "Interview With a Vampire" soundtrack.
This is the third archival Guns N' Roses release since last fall, when Geffen issued DVDs of the home videos "Welcome to the Videos" and the two-volume "Use Your Illusion."
However, according to sources, the band did not give its consent for "Greatest Hits" to move forward and may pursue legal action to block its release.
As previously reported, the Axl Rose-led group will return to the live stage May 30 at the Rock in Rio-Lisbon festival in Lisbon, Portugal. It will be GNR's first live appearance since a disastrous 2002 comeback tour, which was canceled with 13 dates remaining.
As for "Chinese Democracy," it is unknown when the album will be released. Bassist Tommy Stinson told Billboard.com last year that finishing touches were being applied to the set before it would be sent off for mixing.
Here is the track list for "Greatest Hits":
"Welcome to the Jungle"
"Sweet Child O' Mine"
"Patience"
"Paradise City"
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door"
"Civil War"
"You Could Be Mine"
"Don't Cry"
"November Rain"
"Live and Let Die"
"Yesterdays"
"Ain't It Fun"
"Since I Don't Have You"
"Sympathy for the Devil"
Weezer Unveils Reissue, DVD Details
Weezer has nailed down details for an expanded reissue of its self-titled 1994 "Blue Album" and the retrospective DVD "Video Capture Device." Both items will arrive March 23 via Geffen. The CD's first disc will sport the original 10-track album, while a second disc, "Dusty Gems and Raw Nuggets," collects 14 rare cuts.
Among them are the B-sides "Mykel and Carli," "Susanne" and "My Evaline," live versions of "My Name Is Jonas," "Surfwax America," "Jamie" (acoustic) and "No One Else" (acoustic), previously unreleased "kitchen" recordings of "Paperface" and "Only in Dreams," pre-production versions of "Lullaby for Wayne" and "I Swear It's True" and the original album mix of "Say It Ain't So."
The Ric Ocasek-produced "Blue Album" peaked at No. 16 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 2.8 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. It spawned the rock airplay hits "Undone ("The Sweater Song")," "Buddy Holly" and "Say It Ain't So."
"Video Capture Device" is loaded with 13 music videos, including the director's cut of "El Scorcho," a home-made clip for "Pink Triangle" and a self-described "indie-style low budget" clip for "Slob." Also featured are live versions of "Jamie" and "In the Garage," footage from the making of the "Blue Album" and the group's spring 1995 tour and "Say It Ain't So" live from "The Late Show With David Letterman."
Weezer's official Web site reports that the DVD will also boast "a selection of five 'Raw Nuggets' from 1991-2002, generally rougher footage, but still of very cool events, plus a selection of the TV ads crafted over the years to promote the release of the band's albums. There will be optional band commentary on all the music videos and on about half of the 'Documentary' and 'Raw Nuggets' pieces."
As previously reported, Weezer is working on its fifth studio album with producer Rick Rubin.
Brosnan is Still 007
Recent rumors have said that Pierce Brosnan wouldn't return as 007.
Empire Online hoped to put the matter to rest...at least for a while:
Eager to put the matter to rest once and for all, Empire Online spoke direct to Eon Productions this morning to find out just what was going on. And let us tell you they're not happy bunnies there at all. 'All these rumours have come from a newspaper who quoted someone at Eon when they haven't spoken to anyone here,' complained Eon's Publicity Manger Catherine McCormack.
'For now, Pierce Brosnan is our James Bond. We haven't made any statement to say he isn't our James Bond.'
'It's so difficult to comment,' she went on to say, 'when we don't have a script or even a start date.' So has Brosnan signed a contract with you, we asked. 'He signed an initial three contract deal with us,' she explained, 'and from then on it's on a film by film basis. So he hasn't signed one yet.'
So there you go. They don't have a script. They don't have a start date. And as of this morning, Eon doesn't even have a signed contract with Pierce Brosnan but that's apparently completely normal for this stage of film production. Just so you know.
PUTTING OUT THE FIRE
Johnny Cash's family quashing an ad campaign for hemorrhoid-relief products set to the tune of "Ring of Fire."
Disney to Buy Muppets From Henson Co.
LOS ANGELES - Kermit and Miss Piggy are joining Mickey and Minnie, capping a 14-year effort to bring the Muppets into the Walt Disney family.
The Walt Disney Co. said Tuesday it will buy the "Muppets" characters, including Kermit, Miss Piggy and others, as well as the "Bear in the Big Blue House," franchise from The Jim Henson Co.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The arrangement, which took about six months to negotiate, represents a coup for Disney chief executive Michael Eisner, who has been attacked in recent months as an entrenched, weak manager unable to lead the entertainment giant effectively.
"Michael Eisner's long-standing passion and respect for the Muppets gives me and my family even more confidence in Disney as a partner," said Brian Henson, who with his sister Lisa, is co-chair and co-chief executive of The Jim Henson Co.
The announcement is also a much-needed boost for Disney, which has been under attack for weeks from ex-board members and is the subject of a takeover bid from cable television giant Comcast Corp.
The deal culminates a lengthy pursuit of the Muppets by Disney, which nearly acquired the characters in 1990. The deal fell apart shortly after the death of company founder Jim Henson.
The company then was bought by German media company EM.TV, which sold it back to the Henson family last year.
The deal does not include the Sesame Street characters, such as Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, who were sold earlier by EM.TV to the Sesame Workshop.
The Muppet characters already exist in Disney theme parks in a 3D film, while "Bear in the Big Blue House," is a long-running show on the Disney cable television channel.
Disney plans to make new television shows, video games, movies and other products with the existing characters as well as develop new characters in the coming years.
"We have been very impressed by how the Disney company treats its own characters," said Lisa Henson. "We feel if the Muppets are treated with as much care in the long term as Walt Disney's characters are, we will have properly served the legacy."
The agreement includes a four-year consulting arrangement with The Jim Henson Co. to provide strategic advice on the use of the characters and a three-year production deal to develop movies, television shows and other projects using the characters.
The Jim Henson Co. will retain its "Creature Shop," which builds the puppet characters and provides special effects for other studios, as well as the rights to its film and television library, including "Fraggle Rock" and "Farscape," among others.
Munich-based EM.TV bought The Jim Henson Co. in February 2000 for $680 million in cash and stock. The company sold it back to the Henson family last July for $78 million in cash.
Polaroid Warns Film Users Not to 'Shake It'
LONDON (Reuters) - Outkast fans like to "shake it like a Polaroid picture," but the instant camera maker is warning consumers that taking the advice of the hip-hop stars could ruin your snapshots.
Outkast's number one hit "Hey Ya" includes the "shake it" line as a reference to the motion that amateur photographers use to help along the self-developing film.
But in the "answers" section on the Polaroid Web site, the company says that shaking photos, which once helped them to dry, is not necessary since the modern version of Polaroid film dries behind a clear plastic window.
The image "never touches air, so shaking or waving has no effect," the company said on its Web site.
"In fact, shaking or waving can actually damage the image. Rapid movement during development can cause portions of the film to separate prematurely, or can cause 'blobs' in the picture."
A Polaroid spokesman added: "Almost everybody does it, thinking that shaking accelerates the development process, but if you shake it too vigorously you could distort the image. A casual shake typically doesn't affect it."
Polaroid said its film should be laid on a flat surface and shielded from the wind, and that users should avoid bending or twisting their pictures.
Of course, "lay it on a flat surface like a Polaroid picture," doesn't sound nearly as cool.
Dido to Begin North American Tour in May
TORONTO (Billboard) - English pop singer Dido has confirmed details of a North American tour in support of her new Arista album, "Life for Rent." The trek will begin May 17 in Vancouver and has dates booked through June 18 in Boston.
"Life for Rent" debuted at No. 4 on The Billboard 200 last October and has sold nearly 1.5 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. The album has been an international smash, having spent 18 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the European Top 100 Albums chart.
Dido will also tour Europe this summer, beginning July 5 in Athens, Greece.
Here are Dido's tour dates:
May 17: Vancouver (Queen Elizabeth Theater)
May 19: Seattle (Paramount Theater)
May 20: Portland (Schnitzer Theater)
May 22: San Francisco (Berkeley Community Theater)
May 25: Los Angeles (Wiltern Theater)
May 29: San Diego (OAT)
May 30: Las Vegas (The Joint)
June 4: Minneapolis (Northrop Theater)
June 5: Chicago (Chicago Theater)
June 6: Detroit (Fox Theater)
June 8: Toronto (Hummingbird Center)
June 11: Philadelphia (Tower Theater)
June 12: Washington (Constitution Hall)
June 13: New York (Beacon Theater)
June 18: Boston (Pavilon Theater)
July 5: Athens, Greece (Lykabettus Theater)
July 7: Madrid (Conde Duque)
July 8: Barcelona (Pueblo Espanyol)
July 10: Locarno, Switzerland (Piazza Grande)
July 11: Frankfurt, Germany (Old Opera Square)
July 13: Nimes, France (Arena)
July 14: Turin, Italy (Parco Della Pellerini)
July 16: Montreux, Switzerland (Stravinski Hall)
July 17: Munich (Konigsplatz)
July 18: Vienna (Castle Schonbrunn)
July 25: Hamburg (Stadtpark)
July 26: Berlin (Museumsinsel)
July 27: Cologne (Tanzbrunnen)
NBC's Conan O'Brien Issues 'Apology' to Quebec
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Late-night comedian Conan O'Brien sought to defuse a flap over a recent segment poking fun at the French-Canadian province of Quebec by issuing a self-deprecating "apology" on Tuesday in French.
"People of Quebec, I'm sorry," the host of NBC's "Late Night" show said in English, as a translator recited in French, with English subtitles, "People of Quebec, I'm an albino jackass."
"We meant no harm with our comedy piece the other night," O'Brien continued, "translated" into French as: "The other night, I wet the bed like a little girl."
"I was a stranger in a strange land and I was very insensitive," he went on, with the subtitle: "I have a small penis."
The tongue-in-cheek mea culpa was delivered by O'Brien after his usual monologue during the taping of Tuesday night's show in New York.
O'Brien sparked a burst of outrage from the Canadian government last Thursday with a segment in which a rubber hand-puppet known as Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, a recurring character on the show, said to a Quebecer: "You're French, you're obnoxious and you no speekay English." The ribald puppet told another: "I can smell your crotch from here."
The controversial segment came during O'Brien's highly publicized road trip last week for a series of shows taped in and around Toronto to help boost that city's profile in the wake of last year's deadly SARS outbreak.
But members of the federal government in Ottawa said O'Brien's jokes about Quebec, a province which has had separatist governments for much of the last 20 years and is a delicate political topic in Canada, went too far.
Alexa McDonough, a legislator for the left-leaning New Democratic Party, described the program as "racist filth" and "utterly vile." She demanded the government seek the return of the C$1 million ($760,000) subsidy paid by Ontario, the province of which Toronto is the capital, to General Electric Co.'s NBC network to help bring O'Brien's show to Canada.
Today's New Releases
This is not this week's edition of The Couch Potato Report. There is a SPECIAL EDITION of the CPR coming in a few days as a pre-cursor to Hockey Day In Canada.
For now, here's an overview of what's in stores this week:
RUNAWAY JURY is based on the book by John Grisham. John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman and Rachel Weisz star. The story is about a juror who's offering to rig a jury, for a price. Why he's doing it, and how, is quite interesting.
In DICKIE ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR David Spade is a former child star who hires a family to try and recreate his lost childhood. The movie also features child stars from days of yore, including Screech and some of the Brady Kids. (David Spade, Mary McCormack, Scott Terra)
MAMBO ITALIANO- Two Italian emigrants come to terms with homosexual son. (Luke Kirby, Ginette Reno, Paul Sorvino)
MASKED & ANONYMOUS - A concert is being thrown to united a divided America. (Bob Dylan, John Goodman, Jessica Lange)
COMING NEXT WEEK
SPY KIDS 3-D: GAME OVER - This is the third (and reported final) installment in the very entertaining series.
MATCHSTICK MEN - Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell star in this picture about con men.
THE MISSING - Ron Howard followed up his Oscar winning turn in A BEAUTIFUL MIND with this forgettable pseudo western. In it a daughter and father team up to find a missing girl. (Tommy Lee Jones, Cate Blanchett, Simon Baker)
PIECES OF APRIL - A young woman tries to bring her family together for Thanksgiving. (Katie Holmes, Patricia Clarkson, Oliver Platt).
Enjoy the movies and come back here later this week for a look at what's on The Couch (Potato Report).
Here are the new CD Releases for Tuesday, February 17, 2004:
* ALEXANDER KNIAZEV JS Bach - The Cello Suites Nos. 1-6 (Warner)
* BILL & GLORIA GAITHER We Will Stand & Build a Bridge (Gaither Music Group)
* DEATH IN VEGAS Back To Mine (BMG)
* FIVE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA The Best of Five Blind Boys of Alabama (Liquid Records & Entertainment)
* INDIGO GIRLS All That We Let In (Epic)
* JUDY COLLINS Judy Collins 3 & 4 (Navarre)
* LAMBCHOP Aw Cmon (Merge)
* LAMBCHOP No You Cmon (Merge)
* LOSTPROPHETS Start Something (Columbia)
* MARTYN BENNETT Grit (EMI)
* MATTHEW BARBER The Story of Your Life (Warner)
* MEAT BEAT MANIFESTO In Dub (Lakeshore Records/Navarre)
* MILES DAVIS Birdland 1951 (Blue Note)
* STEPHANIE COOKE Everything (King Street)
* TAKASHI Storm Zone (Blue Note)
* THE STRANGLERS Norfolk Coast (EMI)
* TRANS AM Liberation (Thrill Jockey)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (J Records)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS Smooth Jazz Essentials (Native Language/Navarre)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS Great Ladies of Gospel (Liquid/Navarre)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS One Night with Blue Note (Blue Note)
* VARIOUS ARTISTS Trip Do West (Columbia)
* YO YO MA Obrigado Brazil - Live In Concert (Sony Classical)
24 Stitches
Production on the current season of 24 is having to be altered slightly because grade-A manly man Kiefer Sutherland was involved in a baroom brawl that left him having to receive stiches to his face. Son of Donald apologized to the cast when he returned to the set.
Canadian recording industry begins legal fight to stop music uploaders
TORONTO (CP) - Court proceedings to sue those who share their music collections with millions around the world got underway in a Toronto courtroom Monday.
The Canadian Recording Industry Association asked a Federal Court for permission to smoke out music pirates from the protection of Internet Service Providers.
Mirroring action taken last year by the recording industry in the United States, CRIA argued the country's five biggest Internet service providers should name people who upload a large number of music files.
"Our message is for all Canadians. You've got to go off the illegal sites and stop uploading music. Everyone recognizes this sort of distribution is illegal under Canadian law," Richard Pfohl, the lawyer representing the music industry, including the Canadian branches of BMG, EMI, Warner, Virgin and Universal, said outside court. "People have to realize there are consequences when you break the law in Canada."
After legal arguments by all the parties, Justice Konrad von Finckenstein adjourned the proceedings until March 12. He asked each ISP to file more submissions about the technical requirements of connecting individuals by their numeric Internet protocol (commonly known as IP) address and how disclosing home addresses would affect privacy legislation.
Last week the music industry filed motions against 29 John and Jane Does who it alleges are high-volume music traders, storing thousands of MP3 files on their hard drives.
On Monday, CRIA started to work through the courts to learn the identities of those people, currently identifiable only through IP numbers and user handles like Jordana(at)KaZaA who, according to court documents, allegedly uploaded songs by Jay Z, Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez.
It wants Bell Canada, Rogers, Shaw, Telus and Videotron to hand over names, home addresses and e-mails, currently protected by privacy laws.
Vancouver-based Telus said Monday identifying Internet surfers by their handles isn't simple. For example, said lawyer Joel Watson, one of the three names Telus has been asked to fork over didn't even have an account with the company during the alleged uploading infringement.
"It shows the frailty of the system," Watson said outside court.
Like people in the U.S. found out last year, IP address owners aren't necessarily those of the culprits. In one case, an elderly grandparent who'd never turned on a computer was sued for the actions of his grandchildren.
Calgary-based Shaw Communications argued that its obligations to clients under federal privacy legislation trump the rights of the recording industry under copyright law.
The others are taking softer approaches. Bell Canada and Rogers want time to notify their clients so alleged music thieves have time to retain a lawyer.
"It's important that before any order be granted that people who have the most interest and information and knowledge have an ability to speak to the court and make their voice be heard," Bell's lawyer Katherine Podrebarac said outside court.
Bell and some of the others have already contacted alleged uploaders to give them a heads up of the court proceedings.
Quebec's Videotron is the only company not fighting the order, saying owner Quebecor is concerned about piracy in other parts of its business, which include newspapers, television, Internet services and CDs.
Despite the adjournment to March, CRIA said it was certain lawsuits would soon be filed.
"We're confident that as soon as these issues are sorted out that the names will be disclosed," said Pfohl outside court. "We're going after people for whom we have evidence that they have taken hundreds or thousands of other people's songs and they've put them on the Internet available to anywhere between three and five million people at any given time."
Like recording industries around the world, Canada's has been battling a four-year slump in CD sales that it blames on the explosion of music file-sharing that first started when Napster surfaced in the late 1990s.
The Canadian industry claims it has lost more than $425 million in retail sales of music since 1999 resulting in staff layoffs of about 20 per cent.
Record companies were successful in suing Napster out of business in 2001, but have not had similar victories against more elusive and prolific successors, including Kazaa and Morpheus.
While consumers have begun to warm up to paid music download services, such as Puretracks, no service has emerged as a clear alternative to the selection of tracks by the illegal file-sharing services.
Canada-Russia hockey triumph among programs to be preserved as Masterworks
OTTAWA (CP) - The CBC broadcast of the hockey moment that still ranks as Canadian sports ecstasy was among 12 works selected for re-airing and special preservation Monday.
Game 8 of the 1972 Canada-Russia showdown unleashed jubilant mayhem as Paul Henderson's series-winning shot crossed the Russian goal line with 34 seconds left.
That treasured broadcast - along with The Beachcombers, the Quebec film The Decline of the American Empire, and a recording by contralto Maureen Forrester - were among Masterworks awards announced Monday.
The Masterworks title is bestowed by AV Preservation Trust, a non-profit agency working to promote and preserve Canada's audio-visual heritage.
Recipients, including hockey legend Henderson, were to be honoured Monday at a gala in Ottawa.
The federally funded trust works with partners, including the CBC and the National Film Board, to restore productions where needed. It also helps ensure that Canadians get more opportunities to see or hear productions such as the fabled hockey match.
Caroline Leaf was among those honoured Monday for a much-loved film that she now hopes will find new audiences. Her 1976 animated short film The Street, based on Mordecai Richler's short story about growing up in Montreal, was nominated for an Oscar.
It won a slew of international awards, but recognition back home is especially sweet, Leaf said.
"I travel and people come up to me and tell me how they've been affected by this film.
"It's an official recognition that pleases me a lot."
The 12 works honoured Monday join 36 others named since 2000.
The trust was founded in 1996 by the federal department of Canadian Heritage, the National Archives of Canada and private partners because Canada was losing its cultural gems, said spokeswoman Susan Tolusso.
"A lot of the stuff is gone. Canada's first feature film, our first talkie, is gone."
Preventable damage has robbed Canadians of irreplaceable works, she explained.
"They weren't stored properly. They were kept in places like barns."
Three productions in each category - film, television, radio and sound recording or music - were announced Monday.
The 12 productions named Monday as Masterworks by the AV Preservation Trust of Canada:
Film: The Decline of the American Empire (1986); Nobody Waved Good-Bye (1964); The Street (1976)
Television: The Beachcombers (1972-1990); Point de Mire news magazine (1956-59); Canada-Russia hockey series Game 8 (1972)
Radio: Anthology (1954-1985) featured episode 'Aspects of the Canadian Novel and body of work, CBC; Radio-Bigoudi (1955-57) and body of work, CBC; La cloison (Oct. 28, 1971) and body of work, Radio Canada
Sound recording or music: Rock opera Starmania (1978); Maureen Forrester, contralto, body of work and selected recording of Mahler's Symphony No. 2 'Resurrection (1958); The late Henry Burr, tenor, body of work and selected recording 'When You and I were Young, Maggie (1909).'
Bond writer turns to video games for latest 007 title: Everything or Nothing
TORONTO (CP) - Pierce Brosnan is back as James Bond. So are Judi Dench as M and John Cleese as Q.
Willem Dafoe takes a turn as a Russian villain, Richard Kiel returns as Jaws and supermodel Heidi Klum and actress Shannon Elizabeth are the latest Bond girls.
Throw in a theme song by Mya and exotic locations like a secret facility in Egypt, mountain fortress in Peru, the French Quarter in New Orleans and Red Square in Moscow and you have the latest James Bond - video game.
"It's like a movie where you're James Bond," Kiel says enthusiastically.
Such is the world of gaming these days. And Electronic Arts seems to have spared no expense for James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, out Tuesday for Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameBoy Advance.
The game's script was written by Bruce Feirstein, whose Bond movie-writing credits include The World is Not Enough, Tomorrow Never Dies and GoldenEye.
"I was completely amazed by the cast that EA assembled. It was as good as anything we've done on a Bond movie," Feirstein said in a telephone interview.
"I think what this game shows is the kind of convergence that goes on. Whereas this has become such a big, important entertainment medium, we're now able to attract that kind of talent.
"I mean, Judi Dench in an electronic game?"
The game's cast of actors and musician-composers have won or been nominated for Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes and Grammys.
Everything or Nothing even starts like a Bond movie - although it is a stand-alone title with no links to future films - as the gamer is thrown into a ticklish situation before the plot kicks in.
It was Feirstein's first foray into the world of gaming, but the American says it wasn't that much different from writing for any other medium.
"It's like a newspaper article, you hope the first paragraph will be interesting enough that people want to read the second," he said. "When you do a video game or an electronic game, you hope the first level of play will keep you interested to do the second.
"Writing is writing. It's all about what happens next."
And there's plenty to write about when it comes to Bond, although Electronic Arts designers presented Feirstein with the basic framework for a story.
There are restrictions, however. Like Star Wars devotees, Bond fans can be fanatical.
There was someone on hand to oversee game production "from the Bond point of view."
"There are things you do and don't do," said Feirstein.
"Everyone thinks they know Bond but it's really once you get inside it that you realize all the little rules."
"The rules for a Bond movie are that you can have everything that someone can do with an unlimited amount of money," he continued. "What that means is you can hollow out a volcano and fill it with big-breasted women.
"What that means is that you cannot time-travel, you cannot morph yourself into something else. The last movie (Die Another Day) came very very very close to skirting that rule with the invisible car.
"The Bond movies deal five minutes into the future."
Everything or Nothing has Bond in a new third-person perspective, as opposed to the first-person view of the last game 007: Nightfire. The new game also offers a two-player co-op mode and four-player multiplayer mode, and there is online play in the PlayStation version.
Graphics are superb and gamers should enjoy rapelling down buildings with a weapon in hand or breaking the speed limit in an Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, Porsche Cayenne Turbo SUV or Triumph Daytona 600 motorcycle.
In addition to the now-routine goofy Bond plot, the game also features more than 20 weapons and gadgets.
Feirstein's many writing credits include a regular column for the New York Observer and he is also a contributing editor for Vanity Fair. But his Bond credentials often grab attention first.
"You can't imagine the impact that Bond has had on worldwide culture. I defy anyone to go a week in any newspaper without finding at least some reference to something that is Bond-like . . . It's amazing to me how it permeates culture everywhere."
"There were almost riots when Pierce would go to various cities," he added.
Bond movies produce plenty of other anecdotes on location.
Feirstein, who is in his late 40s and remembers watching Bond movies in the theatre with his dad, recalls being in a producer's hotel suite in Bangkok, which covered the entire top floor.
The hotel overlooked the Chiang Mai river and as Feirstein and others went over the script in the boardroom, two black helicopters rocketed up the river one firing at the other.
"Off in the distance, we saw something blow up and a small cloud rise. I don't even blink, I turn to the producer and say 'Are those ours?' 'Yes, those are ours."'
Then there was the time making GoldenEye when the producers bought up a consignment of Russian tanks and MIG aircraft and put them on a film lot north of London. A couple of days later, the studio got a visit from the Home Office and MI5. A satellite had noticed the weaponry and the officials were wondering what the hardware was needed for.
Notes: Since 1962, there have been 20 Bond movies. EA has done a half-dozen video games: Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough, 007 Racing, 007: Agent Under Fire, 007 Nightfire and now 007:Everything or Nothing.
Zevon Reissues, Not Much More Expected
With momentum high after a pair of Grammy wins for Warren Zevon's final studio album, "The Wind" (Artemis), fans may be expecting a full slate of archival material from the late artist's career would be on the way soon. Not so, according to his son, Jordan Zevon.
"For the most part, [we're going to] let it ring out," Zevon tells Billboard.com, adding that he and his sister, Ariel, are not willing to speculate about their father's wishes.
"You're starting to delve into what he would and wouldn't want released, and you can never know," he says. "He had an MTV concert that came out in the '80s and you would think, 'Oh well, that'd be great to get out there,' and we just happened to discuss it at one point and [in] his opinion, he deemed it unwatcheable.
"So, when you get into the guessing game it's when you start feeling, 'Am I doing the right thing?"
On the other hand, reissued versions of the albums his father recorded over the years will likely emerge in time.
"Dad had a couple of records that didn't make it to CD -- {1982's] 'The Envoy' and [the 1981 live album] 'Stand in the Fire' -- and immediately the thought was that we have to use that momentum and get those CDs out. And I talked to the people at Rhino, and they were already kind of getting into the process of reissuing his stuff."
Rhino has previously released a pair of career retrospectives, 2002's "Genius - The Best of Warren Zevon" and 1996's "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology)."
While admitting there is no timetable set for any projects, Zevon says, "I know that getting those albums out and getting nice remastered and extra tracks versions of the old records would be something that he would approve of and that he would enjoy."
For now, there's this week's Artemis' release of the DVD "VH1 (Inside) Out: Warren Zevon," the music channel's documentary of the making of "The Wind." Recorded over the final months of his the artist's life, the set won the best contemporary folk album award, while the song "Disorder in the House," a duet with Bruce Springsteen, won best rock performance by a duo or group.
"It's been amazing," says Zevon, who accepted the awards on behalf of his father before participating in a moving tribute that also included Emmylou Harris and Dwight Yoakam. "It's really been overwhelming and satisfying and actually even a bit of closure on what's been a long year-and-a-half.
"A lot of people kept asking if it was bittersweet, and we really don't tend to feel that way. I think what would make me bitter is if his career didn't get the acknowledgement, or the album didn't get the acknowledgement, that would really be a lot worse. As for the fact that it came posthumously, at least it happened."
Batman Comes in Like a Lamb
There is a report that filming on BATMAN: INDTIMIDATION will begin March 16 in the United Kingdom. Producers are also looking to cast a dangerous-looking, "enormous" Asian man that can speak broken english. So, if you are a stereotypical Asian thug, give Warner Bros a ring.
PUT A STAKE IN HIM
The WB is canceling Angel at the end of the season, the Los Angeles Times reports. The blood-sucking drama, a spinoff of Buffy the Vampire Slayer starring David Boreanaz, recently aired its 100th episode.
Rock band Crush are kings for a day at East Coast Music Awards
ST. JOHN'S, Nfld. (CP) - The Newfoundland duo Crush did just that to the competition at the East Coast Music Awards on Sunday, winning all five categories in which they were nominated.
Cory Tetford and Paul Lamb, the two creators of the pop-rock band, won group of the year and rock recording of the year for their second CD Face in the Crowd. The band won songwriter of the year and best single for King for a Day and they were also chosen entertainers of the year.
The group said they were most thrilled with entertainer of the year - the only award decided by the public.
"We've always said entertainer of the year is the one because it's voted on by the fans," Lamb said.
Tetford, the son of a Pentecostal minister, and Lamb, who was playing in Newfoundland bands by the time he was 17, met in 1994. But it wasn't until 2000 that the two formed the group, releasing their first CD to critical acclaim in 2002. They now live in Halifax.
Newfoundland singers Ron Hynes and Damhnait Doyle each visited the podium twice Sunday night.
Hynes picked up pewter trophies for FACTOR best album and country recording of the year for his latest, Get Back Change, his first album in several years.
"I really didn't expect this," Hynes said after accepting his second of the night. "It's nice to get one. It's really nice to get two."
Doyle, now a member of the group Shaye, was awarded female artist of the year and best pop recording for her CD "Dav-net."
The Newfoundland songstress recently returned from Afghanistan and dedicated one of her awards to the family of Cpl. Jamie Murphy, the Newfoundland soldier killed by a suicide bomber in the Middle East country.
The band Forever, winners of the aboriginal recording of the year, had the sell-out crowd at Mile One Stadium cheering with their parody of Janet Jackson's Superbowl strip down.
Band mates whisked Peter Christmas off the stage during the pre-show after tearing his t-shirt open to expose a flat, nipple-ring-free right breast.
Newfoundland comedian Shawn Majumder later promised a clean show, while his co-host Mark Critch warned Prime Minister Paul Martin, seated near the front, that there would be no pierced nipples allowed.
Nova Scotia's Jimmy Rankin took male artist and solo recording of the year with his CD Handmade.
And Dutch Robinson was the only other multiple award winner, taking home honours for African-Canadian recording of the year for I Took the Long Way Home and best urban single track recording.
Other winners included Buck 65 for alternative recording of the year, the Birchmountain Bluegrass Band for best bluegrass recording and Matt Minglewood for best blues.
The Ennis Sisters were named roots recording of the year and Sloan took the honour for the best video of the year.
Meanwhile, Jeff Goodspeed and Jorge Chicoy with HavanaFax won the jazz recording category; Richard Wood won the instrumental category, and classical artist Jasper Wood received an award for his recording of violin and piano works by Stravinsky.
During the awards some of Atlantic Canada's best-known musicians performed, including Crush, Great Big Sea and Jimmy Rankin.
Newcomer Matt Mays, who was named best new artist of the year, performed with his band El Torpedo, along with Melanie Doane, A Crowd of Bold Sharemen, Shaye and The Trews.
Mays, whose award came with a $5,000 cheque, said he was "freaking out" as he accepted his award.
Backstage the young Nova Scotian said the band will buy more gear with his winnings.
Over the past 16 years the East Coast Music Awards have outgrown the tiny Halifax club where they began, bringing the East Coast's musical stylings to the rest of Canada and beyond.
The Newfoundland group Ryan's Fancy, whose television shows in the 70s and 80s helped revitalize the region's traditional Celtic sound, received a lifetime achievement award at the gala, which was to be broadcast live on TV.
Group member Dennis Ryan said they had no idea at the time that they would influence so many future musicians.
"We were just doing something that we totally loved," Ryan said backstage.
The show ended with a performance by Crush.
Here are the winners:
Aboriginal recording:- Forever, Welcome to Forever
African-Canadian recording:- Dutch Robinson, Only Me
FACTOR Album of the year:- Ron Hynes, Get Back Change
Alternative Recording of the year:- Buck 65, Talkin' Honky Blues
Bluegrass recording:- Birchmountain Bluegrass Band, The Shores of Nova Scotia
Blues recording:- Matt Minglewood, Live at Last
Children's recording:- Donna & Andy, Computer Cat
Classical recording:- Jasper Wood, Stravinsky: Works for Violin and Piano
Country recording:- Ron Hynes, Get Back Change
Female artist:- Damhnait Doyle
Francophone recording:- Blou, Blou Blanc Rouge
Gospel recording:- The Burkes, A Burke Family Christmas
Group of the year:- Crush
Instrumental recording:- Richard Wood, Infectious
Jazz recording:- Jeff Goodspeed & Jorge Chicoy, HavanaFax Live
Male artist:- Jimmy Rankin
New artist/group of the year:- Matt Mays
Pop recording:- Damhnait Doyle
NewCap rock recording:- Crush, Face in the Crowd
Roots/traditional group recording:- Ennis Sisters, Can't be the same
Roots/traditional solo recording:- Jimmy Rankin, Handmade
Single of the year:- Crush, King for a Day
SOCAN songwriter:- Cory Tetford and Gordie Sampson, Crush's King for a Day
Urban single track recording:- Dutch Robinson, I Took the Long Way Home.
Video of the year:- Sloan, The Rest of My Life
Entertainer of the Year:- Crush
Gibson Explains Violence in 'Christ' Film
LOS ANGELES - Mel Gibson said the graphic depiction of Christ's crucifixion in his upcoming film "The Passion of the Christ" was meant to make viewers realize the extent of Christ's sacrifice, and he asserted that the film is not anti-Semitic.
"I think it pushes one over the edge so that they see the enormity, the enormity of that sacrifice," he said during an interview with Diane Sawyer for ABC's "Primetime" that airs Monday.
Gibson, who funded, directed and co-wrote the upcoming movie, said he wanted the movie to be shocking and extreme.
"It's very violent and if you don't like it, don't go, you know?" Gibson said in excerpts of the interview provided by ABC. "If you want to leave halfway through, go ahead."
The R-rated movie, set for release Feb. 25, details the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus. Gibson maintains it's a faithful biblical narrative, but some worry that its depiction of the role of some Jews in the death of Christ may lead to an increase in anti-Semitism.
Among them is Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, who has seen the film twice.
Gibson told Sawyer the film was not anti-Semitic and was instead about "faith, hope, love and forgiveness."
"To be anti-Semitic is a sin," the actor-director said. "It's been condemned by one Papal Council after another. To be anti-Semitic is to be un-Christian, and I'm not."
The "Primetime" program also includes an interview of Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League. Foxman told Sawyer he does not believe Gibson or the film are anti-Semitic but added that the movie "has the potential to fuel anti-Semitism, to reinforce it."
'50 First Dates' Tops Weekend Box Office
LOS ANGELES - Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore's romance "50 First Dates" proved an irresistible draw for the Valentine's weekend date crowd, taking in $41 million to debut as the top movie, according to studio estimates Sunday.
If the estimates hold, it would be the second-biggest February opening ever, behind the $58 million debut of "Hannibal" in 2001 and just ahead of last year's "Daredevil" at $40.3 million.
The previous weekend's top film, "Barbershop 2: Back in Business," slipped to second place with $15.6 million, bringing its 10-day total to $44.1 million.
The overall box office was down, with the top 12 movies grossing $107.8 million, off 13 percent from the same weekend last year.
"50 First Dates" was a reunion for Sandler and Barrymore, who starred in "The Wedding Singer," which opened over Valentine's weekend in 1998.
Sandler's main audience is males in their teens and 20s, who turned out in force, but women made up 57 percent of the crowds on the strength of Barrymore and the movie's romantic theme, distributor Sony reported.
And the Valentine's weekend sealed the deal with audiences.
"Talk about great timing. For a lot of couples, this was their Valentine entertainment," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.
Sandler plays a womanizer smitten by Barrymore, an accident victim who forgets the previous day's memories each morning, forcing Sandler to dream up new ways for the two to meet and fall in love.
Playing in 3,591 theaters, "50 First Dates" averaged a strong $11,417 a cinema.
With many people off work Monday for President's Day, "50 First Dates" should come out of the long weekend about halfway to the $100 million level. The movie is positioned to become the first released in 2004 to top that mark.
Though many critics trashed "50 First Dates," the movie earned its share of positive press, with some reviewers taken in by the story's sweetness and Sandler and Barrymore's chemistry.
Almost half of the audience was 25 or older, a more mature crowd than normally turns out to see Sandler.
"I think people were excited to see Adam and Drew paired up again," said Rory Bruer, Sony head of distribution. "And I think one thing I would say about Adam, he's just such a likable guy. He's just so accessible to all audiences. People can relate to him."
In narrow release, the murder thriller "Highwaymen," starring Jim Caviezel, debuted weakly with $203,000 in 111 theaters for an average of $1,829.
Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Tuesday.
1. "50 First Dates," $41 million.
2. "Barbershop 2: Back in Business," $15.6 million.
3. "Miracle," $14 million.
4. "The Butterfly Effect," $5.7 million.
5. "You Got Served," $5.1 million.
6. "Along Came Polly," $5.08 million.
7. "Catch That Kid," $4.35 million.
8. "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," $4.15 million.
9. "Cold Mountain," $3.7 million.
10. "Mystic River," $3.55 million.
'Lord of the Rings' Triumphs in UK Film Awards
LONDON (Reuters) - In what could be a trial run for the Oscars, the last "Lord of the Rings" was declared Best Film on Sunday night at the BAFTAS, the British film industry's big night of the year.
"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" landed four BAFTAS at the glittering London awards ceremony, which augurs well for its chances of landing Hollywood's ultimate accolade.
But Peter Jackson, the New Zealand director of the fantasy trilogy about Middle Earth that became a worldwide blockbuster, had to share the BAFTA limelight with the seafaring epic "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" starring Russell Crowe, which also landed four BAFTAS.
Jackson, heading a 60-strong delegation of stars and crew to the London ceremony, captured the most coveted prize of the night but was beaten to the BAFTA Best Director gong by "Master and Commander" director Peter Weir.
Jackson, who brought J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece to life, told the audience after receiving the Best Film award: "Wow! This is so fantastic.
"We were a bunch of Kiwis and some Aussies down in New Zealand making this film with American money. But we were always very much aware that we were looking after one of Britain's most loved books."
Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson scooped the top acting honors of the night for their critically acclaimed roles together in "Lost in Translation." They beat off tough competition ranging from Sean Penn and Johnny Depp to Uma Thurman and Naomi Watts.
But Johansson, the new teenage darling of Hollywood, certainly was in a strong position. She received two nominations for the Best Actress Award -- in "Girl with a Pearl Earring" as well as "Lost in Translation."
Gasping with astonishment up on stage, she said "Oh my god. This was really unexpected."
OLD ROCKER
The British film industry still had plenty to celebrate when the winner was announced for Best Supporting Actor. That went to Bill Nighy for his riotously over-the-top portrayal of an aging rock star in the hit feel-good comedy "Love Actually."
"Thank you," he said. "You have made an old rocker very happy. I can't wait to tell the band."
The American civil war drama "Cold Mountain" led the BAFTA field with 13 nominations, widely seen as a valuable pointer to the Oscars.
But on the big night, the only major award for the film was landed by Renee Zellweger, who won the Best Supporting Actress Award for her role as a tough-minded mountain girl.
She had already won a Golden Globe award for the part and now looks a hot favorite to land the big one on Hollywood's Oscar night on February 29.
Anthony Minghella, the English director of "Cold Mountain," said it was "just a great night for the movies that have been nominated."
The BAFTAS used to be announced only after the Hollywood Oscars, which meant that the British awards ended up a damp squib after the main event.
Now they come before the Oscars, the BAFTA awards have been given a major fillip, because Hollywood studios are eager to send their big guns over to London for publicity in the run-up to Hollywood's big night.
READY FOR PRIME TIME
Sesame Street members Big Bird, Elmo, Zoe and Rosita making their prime-time debut with a visit to the White House on the March 3 episode of NBC's The West Wing.
'Dates' Expecting Audience Crush
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Clear the decks.
Sony Pictures is sending out a rowdy valentine to weekend moviegoers in the form of the new Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymore romantic comedy "50 First Dates," and the result is likely to be 2004's first box office blowout.
The combined luster of Sandler and Barrymore, a super-wide release that will see the movie setting up shop in 3,591 locations and the added benefit of a holiday weekend with Presidents Day on Monday should all conspire to boost "Dates" with a hefty liftoff.
Certainly, the competition is keeping its distance. Sony's rivals are all ceding the frame, and as a result, the following weekend will see an especially crowded field as "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen," "Welcome to Mooseport," "Against the Ropes" and "Eurotrip" all jostle for attention in the wake of "Dates."
"Dates" was produced by Sandler and nine others and/or executive producers. But in this case, Sandler's and Barrymore's names are the ones that really matter.
The duo first appeared together in 1998's "The Wedding Singer," which also bowed on the parallel four-day February weekend, opening to $21.9 million and eventually pulling in $89.2 million domestically.
Written by George Wing and directed by Peter Segal -- who last year helmed Sandler's "Anger Management" -- the PG-13 "Dates" beckons with a seemingly surefire premise: Sandler falls in love with Barrymore, who plays a woman with short-term memory loss, which means that each day he must woo her all over again. The comparisons to Bill Murray's "Groundhog Dog" are as obvious as they are inevitable.
Sandler has established himself as an actor who, when he is at the top of his game, scores $40 million openings. "Anger," in which he starred opposite Jack Nicholson, debuted to $42 million in April. In 2002, "Mr. Deeds" arrived to the tune of $37 million.
When it comes to boffo openings, Barrymore is no slouch herself. "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" managed a $37.6 million opening in the summer, following in the wake of "Charlie's Angels," which scored $40.1 million when it hit theaters in 2000.
With clear sailing ahead of it, "Dates," which looks as if it will draw from all demographics, should find itself flirting with the $40 million mark.
With "Dates" set to top the heap, the only suspense is which film will claim the second spot. MGM's "Barbershop 2: Back in Business" opened in first place with a jiggy $24.2 million last week, and Disney's underdogs-on-ice movie, "Miracle," was not that far behind, attracting $19.4 million. Weekday screenings saw the two films maintain roughly the same relative position, though "Miracle" has been steadily closing the gap.
And because "Barbershop" is likely to experience a bigger drop than "Miracle," the sports movie could seize the opportunity to move ahead of the urban comedy, as both of them duke it out in the $16 million-$20 million range to claim second-place honors.
Meanwhile, Jim Caviezel fans who happen to live in Texas and can't wait to see his starring turn in Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," opening Feb. 25, have an option: New Line Cinema is testing out the Caviezel starrer "Highwaymen," in a limited, 111-theater run in the state. Directed by Robert Harmon, who helmed the 1986 classic, "The Hitcher," the R-rated thriller stars Caviezel as a man out to avenge his wife's death at the hands of a serial killer.
Meanwhile, on the specialty films circuit, Fox Searchlight Films will take its first steps in expanding Bernardo Bertlucci's "The Dreamers." The NC-17 drama debuted last weekend in five theaters to a cumulative gross of $142,632 -- a per-theater average of $28,526. This weekend, it will move up to 66 theaters.
And Sony Pictures Classics will use the weekend to re-introduce Francois Dupeyron's "Monsieur Ibrahim," starring Omar Sharif. The French drama played an Academy-qualifying run in December. Although it failed to score any Oscar nominations, it has picked up several prizes including the audience award for Sharif as best actor at the Venice International Film Festival as well as a Golden Globe nomination as best foreign-language film.
SCTV is back on the air
SCTV Volume 1 is coming to DVD this spring!!
Welcome to Melonville (of the Tri-State area), home of the SCTV television network and programs such as popular game show "What's My Shoe Size?," disco dance program "Mel's Rock Pile" and Canada's intelligent talk show "Great White North." SCTV is once again "On The Air.
Instead of a best-of collection, the episodes will be released in order starting with the first nine ninety minute episodes. The 5-disc set contains four new documentaries: "SCTV Remembers" "Origins of SCTV", "The Craft of SCTV", "Remembering John" and "The SCTV Reunion". The set will be packaged with a 24-page booklet, and essays and tributes by Conan O'Brien, Ben Stiller, Fred Willard, Dan Ackroyd and Dr. John, accompanied by images of rare photographs and memorabilia.
The set will arrive on June 8th, with the price tag of $89.95.
I'd easily pay twice that!
Neeson Eyes Place in 'Batman' Cast
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Liam Neeson is in final negotiations to star opposite Christian Bale in Warner Bros. Pictures' upcoming Batman movie.
Neeson would join Bale -- set to play Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman -- and Michael Caine, who is appearing as Wayne's butler, Alfred. Katie Holmes and Cillian Murphy also have been cast. The studio declined comment on Neeson's role. Christopher Nolan is directing.
Neeson, who was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Oskar Schindler in "Schindler's List," was most recently seen in "Love Actually." His recent credits include "Gangs of New York" and "Star Wars: Episode 1 -- The Phantom Menace." He will next appear in "Kinsey," in the title role of the noted sex researcher, and is shooting "Kingdom of Heaven."
McLachlan, Furtado lead Juno nods
TORONTO -- Sarah McLachlan. Nelly Furtado. Celine Dion. Nickelback. There were few surprises Wednesday when this year's batch of Juno nominees were announced.
Canada's largest exports took the highest number of nods with McLachlan and Furtado leading the pack with five each. The multimillion-selling singers were followed by Dion and Nickelback with four apiece, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced.
McLachlan's nominations include fan choice, album, artist and songwriter of the year. Her CD Afterglow is also up for pop album of the year. Furtado's include best single for Powerless and best artist.
Tied at three are Billy Talent, Our Lady Peace and Sam Roberts. Avril Lavigne, Barenaked Ladies, Michael Buble and Shania Twain each received two.
The winners will be announced during a live CTV broadcast April 4 from Edmonton's Rexall Place.
Unlike the recent Grammy Awards and the Feb. 29 Oscars, the Junos have yet to be affected by the Janet Jackson peep show or Don Cherry tape delay issue.
But that decision may need to be re-evaluated as CTV was reprimanded Wednesday by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council for airing some derogatory language during last year's Junos broadcast.
Eminem said a derivative of the four-letter word during a pre-recorded acceptance speech for his best international album award.
CTV apologized Wednesday to any viewers who were offended by the rappers' comments, and said it will discuss whether a tape delay is necessary for the Junos.
"If we had had our decision from the CBSC a year ago as an isolated decision, I don't think we'd be talking about (a tape delay). But in the bigger context of the Super Bowl, the Grammys, Don Cherry, all of a sudden it's a topic of conversation," said Ed Robinson, senior vice-president of variety programming at CTV. "It's a curious time. We'll see where it leads . . . Canadians don't necessarily have the same concerns as American audiences but when it's in public consciousness you have to consider it."
Christina Aguilera, 50 Cent, Hilary Duff, Evanescence and Rod Stewart will compete for best international album. Group of the year contenders are Nickelback, Barenaked Ladies, Finger Eleven, La Chicane and Our Lady Peace.
Unexpected were nods for Danny Michel, Barlow and Kinnie Starr in the best new artist category. Michel, based in Guelph, Ont., has released six albums in his career, Starr's released three, while Barlow has been producing music for close to a decade, has four indie albums under his belt and the song Married by Elvis was a radio hit in 2001.
"It's a little funny six records later," said Michel. "Better late than never. I guess it means I appeared on the radar of another level."
Others in the category are newcomers Vancouver's Buble and Hamilton's Kazzer.
Country artists recognized for their work in the past year include Twain, Terri Clark, Doc Walker, Brad Johner and Aaron Lines. The five will compete for country recording of the year. Jazz musicians competing for vocal jazz album include stalwart Holly Cole and newcomer Denzal Sinclaire.
Hip hop and rap artists were stuck in their own niche categories this year, as usual. Unlike the U.S.'s Outkast and The Black Eyed Peas, no Canadian urban group was able to break free from the rap and R&B category.
Artists didn't seem surprised. "It's all very brand new compared to the States," said Pops of In Essence, which received one nomination for R&B album of the year. "Everything is coming. It takes time."
Rapper Choclair said it's just the "Junos way."
"It would be good to see a rapper get in more than one category," said the Toronto-based musician, nominated for best rap recording. "It's been that way.
We just got a category in 1989. We'll just keep building it. Maybe in the next 15 years it'll happen."
There are 38 categories in all. A new one was added this year for best music DVD.
Albums released between Sept. 1, 2002, and Nov. 26, 2003, are eligible.
A partial list of 2004 Juno nominations by category:
Single of the year --Try Honesty, Billy Talent; Powerless (Say What You Want), Nelly Furtado; Someday, Nickelback; Innocent, Our Lady Peace; Happy Baby, Shaye
Juno fan choice award -- Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne, Sarah McLachlan, Nickelback, Shania Twain
International album of the year -- Get Rich Or Die Tryin', 50 Cent; Stripped, Christina Aguilera; Metamorphosis, Hilary Duff; Fallen, Evanescence; It Had To Be You - The Great All American Songbook, Rod Stewart
Francophone album of the year --Wilfred Le Bouthillier, Wilfred Le Bouthillier; 1 Fille: 4 Types, Celine Dion; Reviens, Garou; Don Juan, Un musical de Felix Gray, Jean Francois Breau/Marie-Eve Janvier/Philippe Berghella/Cindy Daniel/Claude Leveille/Mario; Pelchat/Chico; Maudit Bordel, Marie Chantal Toupin
Album of the year-- Michael Buble, Michael Buble; One Heart, Celine Dion; Folklore, Nelly Furtado; Afterglow, Sarah McLachlan; We Were Born in a Flame, Sam Roberts
Artist of the year -- Shawn Desman, Celine Dion, Nelly Furtado, Sarah McLachlan, Sam Roberts
Group of the year-- Barenaked Ladies, Finger Eleven, La Chicane, Nickelback, Our Lady Peace
New artist of the year -- Barlow, Michael Buble, Kazzer, Danny Michel, Kinnie Starr
New group of the year -- Billy Talent, The Dears, Lillix, Three Days Grace, The Trews
Songwriter of the year -- Kathleen Edwards, Six O'clock News, Hockey Skates, Mercury; Nelly Furtado, Saturdays, (with Gerald Eaton/Brian West/Trevor Horn/Anne Dudley/Malcolm McLaren) Powerless (Say What You Want), (with Gerald Eaton/Brian West) Childhood Dreams; Sarah McLachlan, (with Pierre Marchand) World on Fire, Fallen, Stupid; Ron Sexsmith, You Were There, On a Whim, Someway Somehow; Hawksley Workman, Anger As Beauty, We Will Still Need a Song, Smoke Baby
Country recording of the year-- Pain To Kill, Terri Clark; Everyone Aboard, Doc Walker; Free, Brad Johner; Living Out, Loud; Up!, Shania Twain
Rap recording of the year -- Dark Sunrise, BrassMunk; Flagrant, Choclair; Welcome To Planet IRS, IRS; Tom Stokes Presents the ClasSix Plus Six, Mr. Roam, Natural Progression, Sweatshop Union
Pop album of the year -- Everything To Everyone, Barenaked Ladies; Barlow, Barlow; Folklore, Nelly Furtado; Falling Uphill, Lillix; Afterglow, Sarah McLachlan
Rock album of the year -- Billy Talent, Billy Talent; We Sweat Blood, Danko Jones; The Long Road, Nickelback; We Were Born in a Flame, Sam Roberts; Does This Look Infected?, Sum 41
Vocal jazz album -- Firm Roots, Jeri Brown; Shade, Holly Cole; Maple Groove, Ranee Lee; Denzal Sinclaire, Denzal Sinclaire; The Language of Love, Carol Welsman.
Traditional jazz album -- Lost in the Stars, Guido Basso; Duologue, Mike Murray, David Occhipinti; One Take, One Take; Cafe Varze Jazz, Sandro Dominelli Quintet; Standards, John Stetch.
Classical album, large ensemble -- Concertos: Music of Jacques Hetu, Andre Laplante, CBC Radio, Mario Bernardi; Concertos: Matthieu, Addinsell, Gershwin, Alain Lefevre and Quebec Symphony Orchestra; Bach Orchestral Suites, Tafelmusic Baroque Orchestra; Nino Rota: La Strada, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, Orchestre Metropolitain du Grand Montreal.
Classical album, vocal -- Azulao, Isabel Bayrakdarian, James Parker, Chants d'Auvergne, Karina Gauvin, Raffi Armenian, Canadian Chamber Ensemble; Ideale: Songs of Paolo Tosti, Ben Heppner; Handel: Love Duets, Suzie LeBlanc, Daniel Taylor, Arion Ensemble, Stephen Stubbs; Chants Sacres et Profanes, Tafelmusic Chamber Choir and Ivars Taurins.
Jackson Covering Up Bare Breasts In CD Photo
Janet Jackson can't blame a wardrobe malfunction for her look on her new CD cover.
That's because Jackson -- already embroiled in controversy over her and Justin Timberlake's breast-baring stunt during the Super Bowl halftime show Feb. 1 -- is topless on the cover of her new CD.
The cover of the CD shows her topless, with her arms crossed over her breasts. It's a side shot of Jackson that ends a few inches below the curve of her lower back, just above the top of her low-rise jeans.
A spokesman for her record label said Jackson wanted a "simple and youthful picture" for the cover.
The release, called "Damita Jo" -- the same as her nickname -- is due in stores in March.
Meanwhile, the heads of Viacom and the National Football League are apologizing on Capitol Hill for the breast-baring incident.
Viacom President Mel Karmazin said that while the company can be proud of 99 percent of what people saw on the CBS broadcast, it understands "what a difference one percent can make."
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said the show produced by MTV, which, like CBS is owned by Viacom, fell far short of the "tasteful, first-class entertainment" the league expected.
Tagliabue said the NFL should have done more to make sure it was suitable.
Their remorse came as members of House and Senate panels expressed outrage at what they say are rising cases of indecency on the nation's airwaves.
Federal Communications Commissioner Michael Powell, appearing before a Senate panel, called the Super Bowl incident "a new low for prime time television."
TV hit "The Simpsons" heads to the big screen -- Doh!
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Homer, Bart and the zany cast of the hit animated television series "The Simpsons" could finally become Hollywood stars, with plans for a big-screen version of their antics in the offing.
The industry press said Wednesday the creators of the show, now in its 15th year and poised to become the longest-running sitcom in US history next year, were working on a "Simpsons" feature film for Twentieth Century Fox studios.
Writers and creators Matt Groening and James Brooks are leading a team of writers in developing a full-length screenplay, while the studio has already hired key writers, Daily Variety said.
Twentieth Century Fox, owned by Rupert Murdoch, whose Fox television channel runs the "Simpsons" series, said it was "very excited about the possibility of making a 'Simpsons' movie."
"However, we are in the very early stages of developing an idea for the movie," said the studio's animation chief, Chris Meledandri.
Variety said that at least seven past and present writers of "The Simpsons" were involved in the movie.
Plans for a big-screen feature version of the globally syndicated "Simpsons" have been talked about in Hollywood for more than a decade, but Groening and his team have been very careful about over-exploiting the super-successful franchise, Variety said.
One of the show's writers, Mike Reiss, told DVDFanatic.com that the final impetus for launching the world's most famous animated dysfunctional family onto the silver screen came from the studio.
"They've wanted to do this since season two. It's been 13 years of wanting to do the 'Simpsons' movie," Reiss said.
"Finally Fox said, 'Let's just do it!' We never had the greatest idea that was compelling, but Fox said, 'Maybe if we start paying you, you'll get inspired.' And sure enough, it worked!"
Variety said no release schedule had yet been set for the planned movie but that it was likely to be at least two years before it enters movie theatres.
The show and its characters -- who include dad Homer, the mischievous Bart, his sisters Lisa and Maggie and their mother, Marge -- have generated pithy comedy while also tackling or pillorying sensitive social or political issues.
Its more than 300 episodes have frequently caused outrage, including one infamous episode portraying adoption and poverty in Brazil that prompted a protest from the city of Rio de Janeiro, which threatened to sue.
Former US vice president Dan Quayle was mercilessly ribbed by Groening and his team -- in the guise of Bart -- in 1992, after he notoriously misspelled the world "potato" during a visit to an elementary school.
Other barbs have included cultural and religious jabs, political jibes, pokes at industrialists and rampant capitalism, swipes at top sports personalities and more than the occasional attack on the French, who were dubbed "cheese-eating surrender monkeys" by one of the show's characters.
Law Says Penn Deserves Best Actor Academy Award
BERLIN (Reuters) - British actor Jude Law, nominated for a best actor Academy Award for his film "Cold Mountain," said Wednesday his American rival, Sean Penn (news), deserved to win the Oscar for "Mystic River."
Law told a news conference at the Berlin Film Festival, where the Civil War epic was being screened, that he wouldn't want to bet on the outcome of the voting by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science but felt Penn was the best of the lot.
"I'm probably shooting myself in the foot here," Law said, when asked who he would bet on to win.
"In my opinion, I've always loved Sean Penn's work. He's someone respected, and looked up to, and admired for years and years and years. I think it should be his year, personally."
Also in the running for the best actor award are Ben Kingsley for "House of Sand and Fog," Bill Murray for the low-budget "Lost in Translation," and Johnny Depp for "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl."
Law also said he was open to the offers to play the James Bond character should an offer come along. When told by a Swedish journalist that her newspaper had voted him as their favorite choice to be the next James Bond, he replied:
"I'd have to wait until the offer came. In the past I've been a little bit reluctant to play roles that would label me as one particular personality or character. But having said that I'm getting older and who knows. I know my kids would love it."
Terri Clark turns down Playboy offer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Country singer Terri Clark is keeping her hat -- and her clothes -- on.
The Alberta-born Clark, whose hits include the No. 1 song I Just Want to Be Mad, said Tuesday that she has rejected an offer to appear on the cover of Playboy magazine for the May music issue.
"I'm mostly just a regular ol' girl who likes to have fun, play her guitar, drink some tequila, hang out with my friends. Exotic beauties and total sex pots get asked to do the cover of Playboy, not girls like me," Clark said in a statement.
The singer, who usually wears a cowboy hat while performing, said she was pleased that Playboy realized "I'm not typical and the experts evidently saw something in me that said a normal-size woman can be sexy."
Ultimately she didn't think the appearance was right for her image, she said.
"But for me, even as full-tilt as I am, there are just some things I can't quite get comfortable with," she said.
Coppola's 'Lost' Finds Pot of Gold
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - A rising tide of critical and audience acclaim, marked by four Academy Award nominations and three Golden Globe, has translated into breakthrough sales for the "Lost in Translation" DVD release. In only seven days, since its release on Feb. 3, the DVD has sold over one million units.
Additionally, the film, currently in over 600 theaters, has continued its theatrical success with a modest 19 percent drop over the weekend.
"Even with the film still being in theaters, the DVD has sold-through at an incredibly high rate at retail. This unprecedented release pattern, both in theaters and on DVD, demonstrates that for this title, the market can robustly sustain both releases by capitalizing on the incredible awareness among audiences," says Universal Studios Home Video President Craig Kornblau.
The film landed Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor (Bill Murray), Best Screenplay (Sofia Coppola) and Best Director (Sofia Coppola). The directorial nomination marks the first time an American woman has ever been included in this category.
The film also took home three top Golden Globes including Best Motion Picture [Musical or Comedy], Best Performance by an Actor (Bill Murray) and Best Screenplay (Sofia Coppola). Hailed by critics as Coppola's most extraordinary work yet, "Lost in Translation" has also received eight BAFTA nominations including Best Film.
Bob Harris (Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) are two Americans in Tokyo. Bob is a movie star in town to shoot a whiskey commercial, while Charlotte is a young woman tagging along with her workaholic photographer husband (Giovanni Ribisi).
Unable to sleep, Bob and Charlotte cross paths one night in the luxury hotel bar. This chance meeting develops into a surprising friendship. Shot on location in Japan, the film contemplates the unexpected connections we make that might not last -- yet stay with us forever.
The DVD boasts bonus features including "A Conversation with Bill Murray & Sofia Coppola." Interviewed in Rome, they exchange thoughts about filming on-location in Japan, their favorite scenes, and why Coppola targeted Murray for the role. The DVD also contains deleted scenes; "Lost on Location," a behind-the-scenes documentary which features exclusive footage shot by the filmmakers.
But I Want It Now!!!
The release of Alanis Morissette's new album, "So-Called Chaos," has been bumped from April 13 to May 18 to accommodate "changes in the worldwide marketing plan for the album," according to a spokesperson. First single "Everything" will be serviced March 23 to U.S. radio outlets for airplay consideration.
The 10-track set was co-produced by the artist with John Shanks and Tim Thorney and finds her backed by her touring band of guitarists David Levita and Jason Orme, bassist Eric Avery, keyboardist Zac Rae and drummer Blair Sinta. "So-Called Chaos" is the follow-up to 2002's "Under Rug Swept," which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 and featured the single "Hands Clean," which reached No. 3 on Billboard's Adult Top 40 chart.
Spidey 2 Trailer Details
Here's the word on the new SPIDER-MAN 2 trailer.
Aunt May starts it out, with a voiceover about responsibility. Then we see Peter gettin yelled at by several different people, including Jameson, about being late. We also hear Jameson tell Peter he's fired. Curt Connors also shows up, talking to Pete about missing classes.
MJ tells Peter she can't keep thinking about him, and is getting married. Then Peter says he does't have to always give up what he wants, and throws away his Spider-man costume. We then see him walking around, wearin glasses again, and telling MJ he decided he no longer has to be devoted to anything but his own happiness. MJ tells him she likes him being himself.
Then we see Harry, chiding Peter about being Spider-Man's friend. He also talks about Octavius having a new invention that will put Oscorp on the map. We see Octavius have his accident, then hear Jameson saying "A brilliant scientist turns himself into some kind of monster with mechanical arms!", and see Ock climbing down the hospital wall.
Harry tells Ock to find Spider-Man for him, Ock asks how he'll find Spider-Man since he's apparently left town, and Harry says to go after Peter to get to Spider-Man. Next we see Ock in that cafe, grabbin Peter by the neck and telling him to bring Spidey out of hiding or he'll peel the flesh from MJ's body.
CG shots of Ock throwing car doors, hubcaps, etcetera down a street. A little boy asks Peter if he knows where Spider-Man is, since Peter knows Spidey. We see Spidey swing around Ock, sticking to a wall. Then we see Ock, holding Spidey as he says "You're beginning to annoy me," and SPidey says "Yeah, I get that a lot." We then see him being laid down in front of Harry, and as Harry rips off Spider-Man's mask, the Spider-Man 2 logo pops up.
Nolan Has Bat-Vision
Variety had the details from director Christopher Nolan about the upcoming BATMAN movie.
After a disappointing fourth installment, and three false starts at a fifth version, Batman will be born again. But don't call this the latest in the series. Consider it "Batman: Year One."
This time around, it's about the genesis of Batman: How billionaire Bruce Wayne makes a series of decisions that turn him into the Caped Crusader. Batman will be more realistic and less cartoonish. There are no campy villains. Wayne -- younger, more vulnerable, more human -- will be getting as much attention as his masked alter-ego.
"I felt like doing the origins story of the character, which is a story that's never been told before," says Chris Nolan ("Insomnia," "Memento"), who takes the reins of "Batman" from Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher.
Humanity and realism, says Nolan, is the crux of the new pic.
"The world of Batman is that of grounded reality," he says. Burton's and Schumacher's visions were idiosyncratic and unreal. Nolan says, "Ours will be a recognizable, contemporary reality against which an extraordinary heroic figure arises."
Nolan, a self-confessed James Bond fan as a child, is keen on reinventing Wayne as more of a modern-day Bond than hapless playboy -- an action-adventure hero who has mythic qualities and battles the odds to save the world.
While the new Bruce Wayne is getting emphasis, Nolan, scripter David Goyer and WB have focused on fixing problems that plagued the other pics. For example, Bruce Wayne was too dark and impenetrable and had lost the humorous side found in the comics. The character was basically just dead screen time until Batman appears -- which in the new film may not happen until 40 minutes after it begins.
"If we're successful, the thing that will be talked about a lot and on what we worked on the hardest is that the audience will really care about Bruce Wayne and not just Batman," Goyer says. It doesn't matter how much you spend on special effects -- if it feels hollow, no one gives a damn."
Rather than pit Batman against a new set of supervillains, the new film focuses on how billionaire Bruce Wayne becomes the Dark Knight.
"It's almost impossible to reinvent Batman," says Robinov. "Chris is reintroducing Batman, and it feels smart and cool and fresh. That's no disrespect to the other movies, but it's really Chris' vision of Batman, and that's what we're supporting."
There'll be a new Batmobile, a new arsenal of gadgets, a new Batsuit (sans nipples) as well as a new musical theme.
Even Gotham City is getting a facelift. Previous pics made the city seem dark and claustrophobic or garishly stylized. Instead of lensing on sets built inside huge soundstages, the new film will be shot on locations in New York, London and Iceland, assembling pieces of each city to recreate Gotham as a modern-day metropolis.
In terms of whether the movie will be too dark, Robinov says the film's more about conflict than darkness: about Batman's internal conflict and what drives him to suit up as a superhero.
More King is a Good Thing
Peter Jackson says that almost an hour's worth of extra footage will make its way onto the extended DVD version of LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING. One of the scenes apparently is a drinking competition between Gimli and Legolas. "I really quite liked [it]," Jackson said. "But we felt [it was too comedic] at a point when we wanted to set up the tension of the story. And there's a sequence of Sam and Frodo disguised as orcs, where they end up in the orc army for a while."
TV debut set for 'Shrek 2' trailer
(Variety) The green machine will be in overdrive this month.
Reflecting the growing weight studios give to the timing and placement of trailers, DreamWorks will bow the trailer for "Shrek 2" not in theaters but on the small screen during February sweeps, following NBC's premiere of the original "Shrek."
The promo will feature the full 21/2-minute theatrical trailer, which hits theaters soon afterward, plus behind-the-scenes footage on the making of "Shrek 2."
Pic arrives in theaters May 21 and marks the culmination of an aggressive, year-long marketing campaign by DreamWorks for the loveable green ogre's sequel.
Original pic grossed $476 million worldwide after bowing at Cannes in 2001.
"Shrek 2" isn't the only summer tentpole looking to grab auds with an early promo push: Sony's "Spider-Man 2" teaser rolled out last December and got a big boost in visibility when it debuted on Yahoo!'s online homepage in 13 countries.
Berlin Cheers Linklater Sequel 'Before Sunset'
BERLIN (Reuters) - Director Richard Linklater's long-awaited sequel to his award-winning 1994 French-American love story "Before Sunrise" got loud cheers at its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival on Tuesday.
But Linklater and "Before Sunset" stars Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke said they prefer to call the new film about an improbable rendezvous in Paris of two lost lovers a "continuation" of the original set in Vienna and not a "sequel."
"The term 'sequel' has weird connotations," Linklater told usually fickle Berlinale journalists who applauded his film at the premiere and news conference. "'Sequel' means 'economic interest', and are often done a year or two after the original.
"This obviously wasn't the case," he added, rejecting any notion that cynical commercial reasons were behind his sequel. "We did it for personal reasons. We had been talking about it since wrapping up 'Before Sunrise'. We finally got serious three or four years ago. It was only a matter of 'when' and 'how'."
"Before Sunrise," which earned Linklater a Silver Bear as best director at the 1995 Berlinale, was a romantic drama about an American traveling through Europe meeting by chance a French woman on a train. They spend 24 hours together, fall in love and before her train leaves they promise to meet in six months.
That film, which cost just $2.4 million but had a box office of more than $20 million, left its devoted audiences entangled in endless debates about whether they meet up again or not. Romantics argued they did, while cynics said they didn't.
THIRD FILM COMING?
The mystery is finally resolved in "Before Sunset" when Hawke, who now plays a best-selling author, meets Delpy in Paris at the end of a European promotion tour for a novel written, ironically, about their love affair in Vienna.
This time they have just 90 minutes to sort out their emotions, lives since Vienna and next moves. In the 90-minute film shot in just 15 days it emerges they both searched for each other after a tragedy prevented a Vienna rendezvous.
"This finishes something missing for me," said Delpy, who with Hawke and Linklater wrote the engaging screenplay. "This is a continuation of the story with the same characters."
Hawke added: "The way the first one ended pretty much begs to do this -- but we were scared and that's why we waited so long. If we made a second film that wasn't good, it wouldn't just be one bad film but would ruin the first one."
"Before Sunset" is one of 23 films competing for Golden and Silver Bear awards at the 11-day Berlin festival, ranked beside Venice and just after Cannes among the world's top festivals. It will be the first film released by Warner Independent Pictures, a unit of Warner Bros and Time Warner Inc, in June.
Zeta-Jones Joins Cast of 'Ocean's Twelve'
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones is joining the all-star cast of the upcoming sequel to Warner Bros.' hit caper film "Ocean's Eleven," the studio said on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old Welsh-born beauty will round out the ensemble of actors returning from the 2001 hit movie for "Ocean's Twelve," with Steven Soderbergh back on board to direct.
Producer Jerry Weintraub said Zeta-Jones will play an agent of an Interpol-style police agency, with George Clooney reprising his role as Danny Ocean, a veteran thief who led a gang of multitalented associates in a heist of three Las Vegas casinos in the last film.
The 2001 movie was itself a remake of a 1960 film that starred Frank Sinatra and his "rat pack" cohorts Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.
In the globe-trotting modern sequel -- to be shot in Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Chicago, Las Vegas and Monte Carlo -- Ocean enlists his former cronies and one new member of the team to pull off yet another heist.
Weintraub said all of Clooney's co-stars from the last film are returning for the follow-up, including Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Andy Garcia, Carl Reiner, Bernie Mack, Casey Affleck and Elliott Gould.
"It's not easy to find an actress who can measure up to the star power of this cast, but Catherine will not only hold her own, she'll add a lot to the movie," Weintraub said.
Zeta-Jones, who is married to Hollywood veteran Michael Douglas, won an Academy Award as best supporting actress for her role as the homicidal hoofer Velma Kelly in the hit musical "Chicago."
She previously teamed up with Clooney in last year's romantic comedy "Intolerable Cruelty" and with Roberts in "America's Sweethearts." She also co-starred for Soderbergh in the drug wars drama "Traffic."
"Ocean's Twelve" is slated to begin production in April for Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc., and Village Roadshow Pictures, with worldwide release planned for December 2004, the studio said.
"Ocean's Eleven" pulled in $183 million in North American box office receipts alone.
The Oscar Nominee No One Saw
Multiple Oscar nominee Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World, which received ten nods including Best Picture is due on DVD and Video on April 20th.
This Russell Crowe starrer gets the deluxe two-disc set treatment: anamorphic widescreen transfer, Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround tracks, 70'minute "The Hundred Days" documentary, "In The Wake Of O'Brian," "Cinematic Phasmids," "Sound Design Featurette" and "Interactive Sound Recording Demo" featurettes totaling over an hour, the HBO First Look special, six deleted scenes, four multi-angle studies, a split-screen vignette, four art galleries, theatrical trailers and a collectible booklet and packaging. Retail will be $39.95, and Fox will also release a full screen-only, single-disc edition sans extras for $29.95.
Fox will also release the Farrelly Brothers comedy Stuck on You a week later on April 27th. This unfunny box office underperformer will include an anamorphic widescreen transfer and Dolby 5.1 surround track, plus plenty of extras: audio commentary by the Farrelly Brothers, "Behind The Scene - Dodgeball," "It's Funny: The Farrelly Formula," "Bring 'Stuck on You' to the Screen" and "The Makeup Effects" featurettes, eight deleted scenes, a blooper reel and trailer gallery. Retail will cost you a conjoined $27.95.
STAR WARS TRILOGY ON DVD
The most requested films for the DVD format will finally become a
reality this September as Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox
present the eagerly-awaited Star Wars Trilogy for the ultimate home
entertainment format. The four-disc collection will be released on
September 21 in the U.S. and Canada, with international release dates
following closely.
"We know how long fans have waited for this release and how much they
have been looking forward to it, so everyone has been working overtime
to make sure that the Star Wars Trilogy on DVD is an awesome
experience," said Jim Ward, Vice President of Marketing and
Distribution for Lucasfilm Ltd. and the DVD collection's Executive
Producer.
Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi will be available in a four-disc
set that includes a bonus disc filled with all-new special features
-- including the most comprehensive feature-length documentary ever
produced about the Star Wars saga and never-before-seen footage from
the making of all three films. Each of the three films in the Star
Wars Trilogy has been digitally restored and re-mastered by THX for
superior sound and picture quality.
"First and foremost, the DVDs will deliver the very best possible sound
and picture and take advantage of everything the medium can offer. On
top of that, we are creating added-value material that gets inside the
creation of the Star Wars films in a fresh and fun way," Ward said. "We
want watching this DVD collection to be as memorable as seeing the
movies for the first time."
The films of the Star Wars Trilogy will be available exclusively as a
collection and will feature Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround EX. All three
films are closed-captioned and subtitled in English, French and Spanish
in the U.S. Internationally, sound and subtitling specifications will
vary by territory.
The Couch Potato Report
This week in The Couch Potato Report there's a Coen Brothers film that really isn't a Coen Brothers Film and Meg Ryan wants you to see her naked.
Let's start off with INTOLERABLE CRUELTY.
Joel and Ethan Coen have made the quirky and interesting films RAISING ARIZONA, O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU?, THE HUDSUCKER PROXY and FARGO.
The one thing that each of those films have in common is that you can tell that they are Coen Brothers Movies, and not just because they are quirky and interesting. They are filled with odd characters and unique situations that no other filmmakers could envision, write and then put on film.
INTOLERABLE CRUELTY is the latest film from the Coen brothers, but they didn't envision it, write it and put it on film all by themselves they way they normally do.
That's why it's a Coen Brothers film that just doesn't feel like a Coen Brothers film.
From time to time there are flashes of Coen, but then its gone.
That doesn't make INTOLERABLE CRUETY a bad film, its actually pretty good. But if you loved RAISING ARIZONA, O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU?, THE HUDSUCKER PROXY or FARGO, don't expect more of the same.
In the picture George Clooney, from OUT OF SIGHT and OCEAN'S ELEVEN, and Catherine Zeta-Jones - of CHICAGO and TRAFFIC - square off magnificently.
The plot of this divorce comedy is simple: Lawyer supreme Miles Massey skillfully outmaneuvers a gold-digger when she divorces her wealthy husband--and she sets out to get revenge.
The film unfolds quite enjoyably and Clooney and Zeta- Jones look great as a couple. Plus there are great supporting performances from Geoffrey Rush, Cedric the Entertainer, and Billy Bob Thornton, but it just never quite hits the mark the way a Coen Brothers film usually does.
It's still very funny, though, so I have to recommend it, even to those who loved RAISING ARIZONA, O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU?, THE HUDSUCKER PROXY and FARGO.
It might be a Coen Brothers film that's not quite a Coen Brothers film, but INTOLERABLE CRUELY is still better than 90% of the other films out there.
I suspect that it's much better than IN THE CUT.
IN THE CUT is the latest film from movie cutie Meg Ryan. I used to count myself among the millions who loved Ryan. She was tremendous in WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, and too many other films to mention.
But when I heard that she was naked in IN THE CUT, I lost all interest in seeing it.
Don't misunderstand me, I have no problem with nudity in movies, but when I spoke with anyone before, or after they saw IN THE CUT, the only thing anyone had to say was that Meg Ryan was naked. Not one person had anything to say, good or bad, about the movie.
And that turned me off of seeing it. But that's me.
Just so you know what the movie is about, in case you are interested in seeing it, IN THE CUT is based on Susanna Moore's popular novel.
The film centers on Frannie (Meg Ryan), an emotionally stifled English teacher who gets steamy with sultry Malloy (Mark Ruffalo from You Can Count On Me), a cop who's investigating a series of brutal murders--but Frannie soon suspects that Malloy may be the killer.
Sounds good, right? Well, even though I haven't seen it I can tell you that it is mediocre at best. If it was any good the fact that Ryan is naked in it wouldn't even matter.
Let me use two recent Halle Berry films to make my point. In MONSTER'S BALL she was very naked, but all anyone spoke about was how good the film was. She was also naked in SWORDFISH and I never heard anyone talk about the movie, just the scene where Halle shows her berries.
So watch IN THE CUT if you think it sounds like you'd enjoy it. And if its actually a really good movie let me know and I'll watch it.
In case you're wondering what I watched this week instead of IN THE CUT, well I have the answer. I watched THE LION KING 1 1/2.
This is a direct to video and DVD sequel to THE LION KING that retells the original film's story from the perspective of best pals Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog.
They were the "Hakuna Matata" singers from the original film.
If you've ever wondered how this odd couple met, this movie has all the answers.
The familiar, and still enjoyable story of THE LION KING is reborn from this fresh point of view due to the return of Rafiki the wise monkey, Shenzi, and Simba's love interest, Nala.
In addition to the vocal talents of Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella as Timon and Pumbaa THE LION KING 1 1/2 also features the voice talents of Matthew Broderick, Julie Kavner, and Jerry Stiller.
It might not be as great as the original LION KING, but it sure is fun. And its fun for the whole family!
INTOLERABLE CRUELTY, IN THE CUT and THE LION KING 1 1/2 are all available right now at a video store near you.
COMING NEXT WEEK
In RUNAWAY JURY a juror on the inside, and a woman on the outside manipulate a court trial involving a major gun manufacturer. John Cusack and Rachel Weisz star in this thriller based on the book by John Grisham.
DICKIE ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR sees a former child star hires a family to help recreate the childhood he never had. (David Spade, Mary McCormack, Scott Terra)
Enjoy the movies and I'll see you back here next week on The Couch!
LET THE FORCE BE WITH YOU ON DVD IN SEPT.
Put down that light saber and pick up a credit card: The "Star Wars" trilogy is finally coming to DVD Sept. 21.
Fans have long been clamoring for DVD versions of the trilogy, the last holdouts from the top 200 grossing films of all time to be scheduled for release on DVD.
"Star Wars" creator George Lucas has finally relented, after insisting the three movies wouldn't be released until the final "Star Wars" hits theaters in May 2005.
The set (details like pricing are still unavailable) will include four DVDs, with the fourth disc containing a brand-new two-hour documentary.
The DVDs, which are certain to be blockbusters, are also certain to be controversial: Despite pleas from "Star Wars" fanatics all over the world, these DVDs will not contain the original theatrical version of the movies.
Instead, the DVDs will include the much-debated versions director Lucas released in the '90s with new digital effects and plot twists that softened the character of Han Solo - even though DVD makes it easy to offer both the original and director's cut of a movie.
It's simply a matter of an artist's right, says Jim Ward, a Lucasfilm vice president and the executive producer of the set.
"We realize there's a lot of debate out there," says Ward. "But this is not a democracy. We love our fans, but this is about art and filmmaking. [George] has decided that the sole version he wants available is this one."
The original "Star Wars" from 1977 is the second-highest-grossing movie of all time in the U.S. (behind "Titanic"), and all three "Star Wars" movies in the trilogy still rank in the Top 20.
'Dukes of Hazzard' Film Making Its Way
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - The General Lee is revving its engine.
The big-screen remake of the '80s series "Dukes of Hazzard" is patiently waiting in the Warner Bros. wings to see if it will get the green light. "Dukes" follows the adventures of Bo and Luke Duke, who like to drive fast and evade the law, namely the portly and frustrated Boss Hog and his handful of inept lawmen.
John O'Brien, who wrote the project's first draft, couldn't divulge many details about the script, but did explain the delay.
"[Warner Bros. is] waiting to see how 'Starsky & Hutch' does," O'Brien tells Zap2it.com at a San Fernando Valley bar on Saturday night (Feb. 7).
O'Brien also helped write the "Starsky" screenplay, which is based on the '70s TV series about another blond and brunette duo who drive fast and engage in shenanigans. The film stars Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson as the titular cops and Snoop Dogg as their informant Huggy Bear.
O'Brien had also talked with "Dukes" fan Ashton Kutcher, but could not confirm any casting. The 25-year-old Kutcher had dressed up as the dark-haired Hazzard County scofflaw for Halloween one year, and has been sniffing around the project ever since.
O'Brien has also written the Jet Li-starring "Cradle 2 the Grave" and did a rewrite of Warner Bros.' "Catwoman" starring Halle Berry.
The studio is hoping to begin production on "Dukes" later this year. "Starsky" is scheduled to open nationwide on Friday, March 5.
Steve Lillywhite To Produce Next U2 Album
Mercury U.K. joint managing director Steve Lillywhite has left his role with the label to return to his roots in record production. Lillywhite tells Billboard.biz he will take no time off and will begin producing an album by U2 next week. The as-yet-untitled set is due from Interscope/Island later this year.
"It's the first time I'll have gone in to actually start a record with them in 20 years," says Lillywhite. "I worked on 'The Joshua Tree,' 'Achtung Baby' and 'All That You Can't Leave Behind,' but this will be the first time I've really set up the mikes and done everything for a long time."
Lillywhite also oversaw the band's first two albums, 1980's "Boy" and 1981's "October." He adds, "I've heard some great songs. The Edge is playing some really great guitar."
The new U2 album will be the follow-up to 2000's "All That You Can't Leave Behind," which debuted at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 4.1 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. The set was named best rock album at the 2001 Grammys and placed three tracks in the top-10 of Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks airplay chart: "Beautiful Day" (No. 5), "Elevation" (No. 8) and "Walk On" (No. 10).
Lillywhite, one of Britain's top rock producers, has a list of credits that includes the Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel, Morrissey and the Dave Matthews Band. In 2002, he was brought to Universal U.K. by chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge.
"I've had two great years, and I've loved a lot of it," says Lillywhite, "but really I wasn't that made out for getting up early in the morning. That's 25 years of producing records. I got more and more of an urge to be in the studio, so Lucian and I had a chat and decided it was best that I return to that."
Jackson's CBS Special Heading To DVD
The Michael Jackson special that aired Jan. 2 on CBS will be released on DVD March 9 via Epic. Titled "The One," the hour-long retrospective program draws on highlights from throughout Jackson's storied career.
Among the clips included are a rendition of "Ben" on "American Bandstand," a live clip of "Rock With You" from a Japan stop on the Bad tour, Jackson's iconic performance of "Billie Jean" at the Motown 25th anniversary TV special and a run through "The Way You Make Me Feel" at the 1988 Grammys. Also featured are snippets from Jackson's music videos plus a discography.
The special was originally scheduled to run Nov. 26 in conjunction with the release of Jackson's greatest-hits disc "Number Ones," but was pulled less than a week before its scheduled premiere when the latest child molestation allegations against Jackson surfaced.
At the time, CBS cited the "gravity" of the charges leveled against the singer, though the network did reserve the right to reconsider running the special "after the due process of the legal system runs its course." In late December, Jackson granted his first interview about the charges to reporter Ed Bradley of CBS flagship news magazine "60 Minutes."
Last month, Jackson pled not guilty to nine felony counts of child molestation. His next pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Friday (Feb. 13).
In related news, March 9 will also see the release of the single-disc set "The Essential Jacksons," drawing on the group's late-career tenure on Epic. The 14-track album boasts the top-10 Billboard Hot 100 hits "Enjoy Yourself," "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" and "State of Shock" with Mick Jagger. Also included is a live version of Michael's solo hit "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" from the sibling group's 1981 U.S. tour.
Norah Jones Releases Second Disc
NEW YORK - When Norah Jones' debut CD, "Come Away With Me," was released nearly two years ago, it floated into record stores with little fanfare and no hype.
Two years, eight Grammys and eight million albums later, the Tuesday release of Jones' follow-up, "Feels Like Home," has become an event. Her cherub face has adorned countless articles in major publications, VH1 made the disc available for listening on the Internet a week ago, and major ads are trumpeting the record.
All to Jones' dismay.
"They're running TV commercials and silly stuff like that," says a slightly frustrated Jones, sitting in a conference room at her label, Blue Note Records, during a day of media interviews.
"Why do you need a TV commercial for a CD? I don't understand that. It just scares me that they're going to be too in your face. I don't want people to get sick of it."
That's unlikely people aren't even sick of her last album yet.
On the current Billboard 200 pop chart, "Come Away With Me" is lodged at No. 25 astounding for a disc that was released a year earlier. For a little perspective, even 2003's top-selling disc, 50 Cent's "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," isn't even in the top 50.
Though Jones has become a mainstream artist, she returns to her quirky roots on "Feels Like Home," which has low-key, rootsy sensibilities. The biggest departure may be its twangy, country touches Dolly Parton even duets on one song. Jones, a longtime Parton fan, says she and her bandmates were listening to a lot of bluegrass and country while making the record last year.
"The song that Dolly's on, it wasn't ever going to go on the album, because it was definitely a different kind of thing, and we thought it was it would stick out to much," she says. But "everybody loved it, and it was so fun, and we just thought, what the hell, let's just put it on."
For "Home," Jones reunited with producer Arif Mardin and made her band including boyfriend Lee Alexander the main backing sound. She also co-wrote more songs, a sign of the new control Jones is exercising over her career.
"I've always been really opinionated, but I've been become super- opinionated lately," she giggles. "I try to do it in a nice way, but like, with my own career, it's my own thing. I talk to my manager, and I say, we need to do this, this is not cool. The poor label, they hate me. I have to approve everything that goes out."
Bruce Lundvall, Blue Note's president, says that despite Jones' hesitance about some of the marketing for the new record she demanded that certain aspects be scaled back to cut down on hype Jones has approved everything.
"She is the anti-diva," he says. "You don't want to do things that are crass and over the top; we want to do things with sensitivity. She doesn't want us to say, 'The greatest album ever.'"
Still, the disc is being given the big push. Besides making the album available for listening on the Internet, VH1 is playing the video 50 times a week for two weeks normally, the most popular video gets played 20 times per week.
"Come Away With Me" made Jones the biggest music phenomenon in years. Jazzy with a folk sensibility, the album wasn't even expected to sell 100,000 copies. Yet Jones' sexy, smoky vocals on the album's first single, "Don't Know Why," resonated with listeners, especially older ones. It became a word-of-mouth hit despite never getting major radio play from mainstream radio.
The album "is one of the most remarkable examples of if you put something on the air, people will respond," said Rita Houston of the New York City radio station WFUV, which played Jones before the pop world took notice. "Now all the radios stations, they're all there."
The disc's eight Grammys including best album, record of the year for "Don't Know Why" and best new artist for Jones made it a must-have for millions. It's unusual for an artist to launch another album when their first is still high on the charts. But Jones who told The Associated Press last year that she was ready to move on isn't concerned about competing with herself.
"I don't really care. I mean, if my new album comes out, and the old one sells more than it, I think that will be kind of weird and sad," she says, laughing.
Given the early buzz on "Feel Like Home," she need not worry. More than a million copies have been pre-ordered.
"I have very high sales expectations," says Lundvall. However, he emphasized that he wasn't looking for her to top the success of her debut disc.
"I'm not going to say it's going to do better than the last one, that would be foolish we're already at 17 million (worldwide)."
While much has been made about the sophomore jinx suffered by quirky singers with smash debut albums such as Alanis Morissette, Tracy Chapman, Lauryn Hill and Paula Cole Jones insists she's not worried.
"I've also thought back to some of my favorite artists not every album was a success, but that's O.K., because they're still some of my favorite artists," she says. "I think it's O.K. to not be successful. I was very successful last year, and I've been really lucky, and I don't know. You can't expect it every single tune.
"As long as people like it I won't cry," she says, giggling yet again. "If nobody likes it, I'd probably cry."
Michael J. Fox Prepares for Return to TV
LOS ANGELES - Michael J. Fox couldn't resist the lure of television comedy or an executive producer's pleas. The actor, who left "Spin City" in 2000 after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, guest stars as an inspiring physician in two episodes of the NBC sitcom "Scrubs" beginning this week.
He's reunited with "Spin City" executive producer Bill Lawrence, who admitted to shameless begging to get Fox.
"I told him if he came back to TV and it wasn't 'Scrubs,' I'd kill myself," said Lawrence, executive producer of the NBC series.
When Fox told Lawrence he was feeling good and thinking about series work, he asked if "Scrubs" would be interested in having him. He didn't presume there would be a job for him, Lawrence said.
"That's the kind of guy he is," he said.
Fox, 42, has devoted much of the last few years to raising money and lobbying for research into his disease, which was diagnosed in 1991 and resulted in symptoms including tremors, stiffness and loss of balance.
The symptoms were not apparent during filming and no accommodation was required for him during production, according to Lawrence and NBC.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research has provided $35 million for studies and expects to raise $10 million to $15 million more by spring.
"It's looking good," Fox, interviewed by NBC, said of research efforts. The work done on Parkinson's overlap with other diseases including Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis, he said.
The actor, who gained fame with the sitcom "Family Ties" and the "Back to the Future" movies, has voiced animation roles in recent years including the "Stuart Little" films and "Atlantis: The Lost Empire."
He talked about his "Scrubs" appearance in the NBC interview.
"I don't miss working that much but ... there's nothing like the feeling of being with a bunch of people you know that are talented and creative and having fun," Fox said.
"I didn't want to do 22 episodes of anything, but to come in and do one or two episodes with Bill and this cast seemed like the fun thing to do."
In the "Scrubs" episodes airing 9:20 p.m. EST Tuesday and Feb. 17, Fox plays a surgeon who's afflicted with obsessive compulsive disorder but has found a way to make it work to his advantage.
His character serves as an inspiration to others at Sacred Heart Hospital, Lawrence said. He wanted to offer Fox a story with substance, knowing the actor would prefer it.
The hardest part, Lawrence said, was writing a script that allowed eager cast members a chance to work opposite Fox. The series stars include Zach Braff, John C. McGinley and Sarah Chalke.
ABC Renews 'NYPD Blue' for 12th and Final Season
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "NYPD Blue," which made a star of its balding, middle-aged protagonist and thrived as one of television's most honored and successful police dramas, will go off the air next year after a 12th and final season, ABC said on Monday.
Since its debut in 1993, the landmark cop series starring Dennis Franz as grouchy, hard-boiled police detective Andy Sipowicz has piled up 84 Emmy nominations and 20 awards, and it remains the highest-rated drama series on the struggling network, a unit of The Walt Disney Co.
The program, which went on hiatus in December to make room for the launch of the new FBI drama "Line of Fire," returns to ABC's schedule in the midst of its 11th season on Tuesday.
"There are very few dramas that are good enough to deserve a 12th season, but 'NYPD Blue' set the benchmark for quality programming when it launched back in 1993," ABC Entertainment President Susan Lyne said in announcing the show's renewal.
Although ABC said the 12th year would be its last, co-creator and executive producer Steven Bochco left open the slim possibility that the groundbreaking cop show could go beyond the 2004-2005 season.
"Should we do brilliantly, and circumstances change, we would be delighted to revisit the possibility of life beyond 12 seasons," Bochco said in a joint statement with ABC. "However, to go out after 12 strong years is great, as it's better to go out too early rather than overstay our welcome."
A spokeswoman at Steven Bochco Prods. said the current cast is expected to return next season, despite recently aired concerns of co-star Gordon Clapp that producers might be forced to jettison some veteran players, as David E. Kelley was forced to do to save "The Practice" at the end of last season.
JOINS SELECT GROUP OF TV DRAMAS
In winning renewal for next year, "NYPD Blue" joins a select group of U.S. prime-time dramas that have survived a dozen years or more, including fellow cop shows "Dragnet" and "Hawaii Five-O" (12 years each), "Dallas" and "Bonanza" (14 seasons), "Lassie" (17 seasons) and the granddaddy of all prime-time dramas, "Gunsmoke," which lasted 20 seasons.
NBC's "Law & Order" is the longest-running drama currently on U.S. television, now in its 14th year. "NYPD Blue" ranks second, followed by NBC hospital drama "ER," now in its 10th season.
Since its 1993 premiere, "NYPD Blue" has gained critical plaudits for its gripping portrayal of police work and the tortured personal lives of the detectives in a New York City squad room.
Gaining early notice for expanding the boundaries of profanity and nudity on network television, the show has survived and thrived through numerous personnel changes.
David Caruso left his role as Franz's first partner in the second season and ended up years later starring on the hit CBS crime drama "CSI: Miami." He was replaced on "Blue" by Jimmy Smits, whose character, Bobby Simone, eventually was killed off and was replaced by Rick Schroder.
Franz has starred throughout as the show's central character, Sipowicz. Clapp first appeared as detective Greg Medavoy on a recurring basis during the first season and joined the regular cast in season No. 2.
Oscar Lunch Brings Hollywood Stars Together
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (Reuters) - Charlize Theron wore white and looked more like a goddess than a monster. Ben Kingsley was next to her in a black suit while nearby Clint Eastwood stood in the shadow of a giant Oscar statue.
The scene was the group photograph at the annual gathering of Oscar nominees for a pre-Academy Awards lunch at the Beverly Hills Hilton where the emphasis was on accomplishment and not on victory, as a who's who of Hollywood showed up to chat, rub shoulders, network and reminisce.
Joe Roth, the veteran filmmaker producing his first Academy Awards telecast, admitted to a certain nervousness about the Feb. 29 show to be hosted by Billy Crystal, a show he promised would be "funny and quick" and have a surprise at the end when the cameras goes back stage to catch all the winners at once.
When he said that, people at various tables chuckled and wondered, 'Did he just give the surprise away?"
But Roth also gave winners the traditional warning: victory speeches must not last longer than 45 seconds, no matter how many relatives you have to thank.
The lunch drew several actors not used to fame, including youngest-ever best actress nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes, the 13-year-old star of "Whale Rider," who doesn't know if she will ever act again. She said, "I just met Charlize Theron and I was like, "Oh, my God."'
Theron is one of her competitors for best actress. She was nominated for "Monster," a role for which she did a total transformation.
Several actors at the lunch questioned whether the Oscar telecast should have a five-second delay, a move prompted byJanet Jackson's breast-baring at the Super Bowl halftime show.
Asked Tim Robbins, nominated for nest supporting actor in "Mystic River," "What are they afraid of? Spontaneity is great."
Beatlemania Turns 40
The Beatles, never exactly a low-profile band, are about to be everywhere again, celebrated from the Grammys to David Letterman.
Saturday marked the 40th anniversary of John Lennon, Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr 's descent from a Pan Am jet to the tarmac of New York's JFK International Airport. Beatlemania had arrived in the United States.
From Feb. 7-21, 1964, the boys from Liverpool made witty remarks at press conferences, did The Ed Sullivan Show, played Carnegie Hall (top ticket price: $5.50), topped the charts (with "I Want to Hold You Hand"), visited Miami Beach, mugged with a pre-Muhammad Ali Cassius Clay on the verge of his title bout with Sonny Liston, and did the Ed Sullivan Show again.
About the only thing they didn't do was, um, accidentally bare a nipple shield. But nobody's perfect, as evidenced by one of their lesser 1964 efforts, "Mr. Moonlight."
Since the Beatles never really went away (even as their ranks have been pared to two survivors, McCartney and Starr), it's difficult to describe a slew of 40th anniversary tributes and events as a comeback. More like a continuation.
A sampling of what's in store for Beatlemania II:
TV/DVD:
They were lauded at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards: Sting, Dave Matthews, Vince Gill and Pharrell Williams jamed on "I Saw Her Standing There." They weren't anywhere near fabulous, but at least they had strength in numbers.
Late Show with David Letterman (Monday, CBS): It's no coincidence that Letterman's TV home is called the Ed Sullivan Theater. The Broadway venue is where former newspaper columnist Ed Sullivan hosted The Ed Sullivan Show, and where the Beatles first made their U.S. prime-time mark on Feb. 9, 1964.
The telecast was watched by 73 million people, still TV's second-most-watched non-sports event ever (when adjusted for population inflation), per a new study commissioned by The Fab 40!, a group spearheading numerous 40th anniversary events.
Letterman acknowledges his stage's historic past on Monday's show by screening the Beatles' complete Feb. 9 Ed Sullivan performance of "I Want to Hold Your Hand," 40 years to the night when the mop tops harmonized.
Later, Dr. Phil stops by. We're hoping he doesn't sing.
The Four Complete Historic Ed Sullivan Shows Featuring the Beatles (available on DVD, SOFA Entertainment): Released last October, this disc, as its title plainly states, offers all four Beatles Sullivan appearances: Feb. 9, 1964, Feb. 16, 1964, Feb. 23, 1964 (canned footage taped by the group back on Feb. 9), and Sept. 12, 1965.
BOOKS
The Beatles Are Coming! The Birth of Beatlemania in America (498 Press): The exhaustive guide as to how a gang of unknown, if cute Liverpudlians conquered the U.S. in six weeks.
For a good time, check out the book's companion Website, which imagines how the Beatles' arrival in the States would have been chronicled by a lovestruck--and Internet-savvy--teenage girl with a blog (http://www.thebeatlesarecoming.com/blog.html).
The Beatles Anthology (Chronicle Books): A paperback edition of the 2000 best-seller--the band's authorized autobiography. In the name of anniversary tie-ins, the paperback initially is being offered at the get-it? price of $19.64.
EVENTS
Walking tour (Saturday, New York City): Daytrippin', the international Beatles fan club, leads Beatlemaniacs through the Fab Four's Manhattan. Stops include the Ed Sullivan Theater, Carnegie Hall and Lennon's former home at the Dakota apartments.
Not the Beatles, but an incredible simulation, walk off an airplane (Saturday, Seattle): The members of veteran Beatles tribute band Rain descend from the Museum of Flight's dry-docked Concorde at 1:20 p.m. (PT), said to be "40 years to the minute" to the real Beatles' 1964 arrival at JFK. After, Rain pours it on with a song-by-song redo of the Beatles' original Ed Sullivan set.
Screening of A Hard Day's Night (Sunday, New York City): The 1964 classic returns to the big screen, courtesy Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater. After, Louise Harrison, sister of George, and other insiders talk about why the Beatles were important and stuff. (We summarize for brevity's sake.)
Photography exhibit at Smithsonian Institution 's Natural Museum of American History (Ongoing, Washington D.C.): Eighty never-before-published black-and-white shots of the Beatles' systemic takedown of the American consumer. Runs through July 5.
Genie In A Bottle
Kicking off this week's are three big new announcements from Buena Vista Home Entertainment. The next in Disney's acclaimed Platinum Collection line of two-disc special editions is one of their biggest animated hits of all time, Aladdin. The genie will be let out of the bottle on October 5th, which will include a super-duper new anamorphic transfer (featuring a new version of the film upgraded with new animation) and a Dolby Digital 5.1 "Enhanced Home Theater" surround track. The considerable supplementary materials will boast two audio commentary tracks, a documentary, deleted sequences (including a new musical number "Proud of Your Boy" by composers Howard Ashman and Alan Menken), a pop-up trivia subtitle track, extensive still galleries, storyboards, pencil tests, a virtual carpet ride, 3-D tour of Genie's lamp, sing-along songs, set-top games, "A Whole New World" music video, theatrical trailers, and DVD-ROM material to be announced.
Also just announced from Buena Vista Home Entertainment is the sleeper hit Calendar Girls, which hits stores on May 4th. Featuring a 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track, extras include a featurette and deleted scenes.
On June 22nd comes the nasty comedy Bad Santa, which is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1, and includes a featurette, deleted scenes and outtakes, and a a tribute to John Ritter.
Office Politics
And then there is The West Wing: The Complete Second Season, which Warner Home Video will release on May 18th. This four-disc box set will feature 1.78 anamorphic widescreen transfers and Dolby Digital 2.0 surround tracks, plus the usual plethora of supplementary material: audio commentaries on four episodes by creator Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme, the "Access Granted" and "Constructing Two Cathedrals" featurettes, deleted scenes and a gag reel.
'Rings' Director Takes Guild's Top Prize
LOS ANGELES - The Directors Guild of America saved its best for last when it came to honoring "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, giving its top award to Peter Jackson for the story's final chapter, "The Return of the King."
In the 56 years since the guild began presenting its top honor, the winner has gone on to receive the Academy Award for best director all but six times.
Jackson became the first filmmaker ever nominated for the prize three years in a row, and this is the first time he won. He spent seven years putting the J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy books on film.
"We live in an age where people write books about nightmarish experiences on film sets and I didn't have one of those I had the most amazing time," Jackson said Saturday night.
Also honored was director Mike Nichols, who took the award for TV movie direction for HBO's two-part "Angels in America."
Nichols is a previous lifetime achievement award winner for his work on such films as "The Graduate," "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," "Catch-22" and "Working Girl."
Christopher Misiano, directed the TV drama series award winner for an episode of NBC's "The West Wing," while Timothy M. Van Patten was recognized in the TV comedy series category for an installment of HBO's "Sex and the City."
The guild previously nominated Jackson in 2002 for the first "Rings" installment, "The Fellowship of the Ring," but gave the prize to Ron Howard for "A Beautiful Mind." His bid last year for "The Two Towers" lost out to Rob Marshall for "Chicago."
The consensus in Hollywood is that many voters for both the directors guild and the upcoming Academy Awards took a wait-and-see approach to honoring the wizard, warrior and warlock story, about a diminutive Hobbit on a quest to destroy a malevolent ring.
Now that the mythology-and-magic tale is told, Jackson and "The Return of the King" are regarded as front-runners for many of the movie industry's top prizes this awards season. He already collected best director at the Golden Globes and the movie won best drama there.
"The Return of the King" also has a leading 11 Academy Award nominations, including best picture and director. Those honors will be presented Feb. 29.
Also nominated for the Directors Guild Award were Sofia Coppola for "Lost in Translation," her tale of unlikely friendship in Tokyo; Clint Eastwood for "Mystic River," a brooding drama of murder and revenge; Gary Ross for "Seabiscuit," the story of the Depression-era racehorse; and Peter Weir for the Napoleonic naval adventure "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World."
Coppola, daughter of past guild winner Francis Ford Coppola, and Ross earned their first guild nominations. Eastwood is a past DGA winner for "Unforgiven," and Weir was nominated three times previously, for "Witness," "Dead Poets Society" and "The Truman Show."
'Barbershop 2' Buzzes to No. 1 in Debut
LOS ANGELES - Movie-goers are feeling good about hair and hockey. Ice Cube's upbeat sequel "Barbershop 2: Back in Business" debuted as the top weekend movie with $25.1 million, while Kurt Russell's inspiring hockey tale "Miracle" opened at No. 2 with $19.4 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The family flick "Catch That Kid," about a girl who organizes a bank heist to pay for her father's surgery, opened at No. 6 with $6 million.
The overall box office fell, with the top 12 movies grossing $92.8 million, down 9 percent from the same weekend last year.
Playing in 2,711 locations, "Barbershop 2" averaged a strong $9,259 a theater, compared to a $7,464 average in 2,605 cinemas for "Miracle."
"Barbershop 2" brings back Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer and the rest of the gang from 2002's hit comedy set in a gossipy hair joint on Chicago's south side. With positive reviews, the sequel has a good shot at topping the $75 million total gross of the first "Barbershop," which took in $20.6 million over its opening weekend.
Blacks made up almost all the opening-weekend audience for the first film, while non-black crowds accounted for a third of viewers at "Barbershop 2," said Erik Lomis, head of distribution for MGM, which released both movies. That was a sign the sequel may have more long-term crossover appeal than the original, Lomis said.
"Barbershop 2" also introduced Queen Latifah in a small role as a salon owner next door, the setting for her own spinoff movie, "Beauty Shop," which MGM plans to release around Thanksgiving.
"Miracle" stars Russell as hockey coach Herb Brooks, who led the U.S. team to an upset victory over the powerhouse Soviets in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Distributor Disney hopes "Miracle" will have the same staying power at theaters as the studio's previous sports-themed successes, "Remember the Titans" and "The Rookie."
"We all like a dose of feel-good," said Chuck Viane, Disney head of distribution. "It's interesting to have a movie in which people know the ultimate ending, yet they're on the edge of their seats. You'd swear you were at a sports arena, because the audience is so into the game."
Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Dreamers" debuted with $150,078 at five theaters in New York City and Los Angeles, scoring an impressive average of $30,016 a cinema. Rated NC-17 for explicit sex, "The Dreamers" is a coming-of-age story about twins and their new American friend in 1968 Paris.
"Osama," an Afghan drama about a child beggar in Kabul under Taliban rule, also opened strongly with $53,000 on four screens in New York City and Los Angeles, averaging $13,250 a theater.
Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "Barbershop 2: Back in Business," $25.1 million.
2. "Miracle," $19.4 million.
3. "You Got Served," $7.7 million.
4. "Along Came Polly," $7 million.
5. "The Butterfly Effect," $6.7 million.
6. "Catch That Kid," $6 million.
7. "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," $4.4 million.
8. "Monster," $3.51 million.
9. "Mystic River," $3.5 million.
10. "Cold Mountain," $3.2 million.
Theron Criticizes Death Penalty After 'Monster'
BERLIN (Reuters) - Hollywood star Charlize Theron criticized the death penalty after the international premiere on Sunday of the film "Monster," in which she portrays a woman executed for a string of murders.
"I'm not for the death penalty and working on this film didn't really change anything for me," Theron told reporters at the Berlin Film Festival. "If anything it made me more aware of how ineffective it is."
In the low budget film, the South African actress plays homeless prostitute Aileen Wuornos, who committed a series of murders in the United States after killing a man in self defense, an act Theron is better placed to understand than most.
Theron was 15 when her mother shot dead her drunken father after he threatened to shoot his wife and daughter. Playing Wuornos, who was executed in 2002, has earned Theron an Academy Award nomination for best actress.
"I don't think condemning people who murder and then killing them necessarily sends out the right message," said Theron, 28. And I have a huge problem with the way these people are used as political pawns."
Theron, often cast as a glamorous blonde, put on 30 pounds (14 kg) for the role. The actress, whose previous films include "The Legend of Bagger Vance" and "Mighty Joe Young," said Wuornos had been doomed to lead a tragic life.
"I think her entire life was just like water going down a drain. And it just kept going faster and faster," she said, adding it was a story that needed to be told.
"We forget that it's our job is to tell people stories. There's only so many pretty stories you can do."
The film's director, Patty Jenkins, said Wuornos' tale was an American tragedy that provided a unique insight into how individuals can be corrupted by society.
"So rarely is there a story that lends itself so easily to looking at how a good person can be damaged to the extent that they cross the line and become a killer," said Jenkins.
"It is a universal story that people are overlooked and left outside until they become capable of committing the same acts that have been done to them."
A former model, Theron said Robert De Niro's acting in Martin Scorsese's 1976 film "Taxi Driver" had a big influence on "Monster." She said she got so used to her character she even forgot about the ugly false teeth she was wearing for the part.
"I wasn't even aware until Patty said 'the crew are all going home tonight saying you have terrible teeth'," she said.
Monster, which entered the U.S. list of top ten box office films for the first time this week, was one of the highlights of day four of the Berlin festival which is ranked alongside Venice and just behind Cannes as one of the world's top film fests.
Zellweger Says Audiences Want Top Roles for Women
BERLIN (Reuters) - Renee Zellweger said Sunday she believes there's a simple reason films are featuring more strong women characters -- it's what audiences want.
"People making films are recognizing there is value in portraying female characters that way, audiences are interested and there's a market for those sorts of films," the American actress told Reuters in an interview.
"They are beautiful stories. I think things are definitely changing."
Zellweger, who won a best supporting actress Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination for a brilliant performance in "Cold Mountain," said she and its star Nicole Kidman had become friends while working in Romania on the film they dominate.
The film, which also stars Jude Law, opened the Berlin Film Festival Thursday. Zellweger plays a tough-minded mountain farm girl who befriends Kidman.
Zellweger, 34, is currently filming the second Bridget Jones film and said she sometimes wonders what the long-term impact of gaining some 20 pounds for the leading character will have on her health.
"You have to be careful. It's a pretty dramatic change. It definitely has its effects. Hopefully the long-term ones will be minimal," she said.
"Hopefully the old beater in there is doing okay with all the cholesterol that I've been introducing into the system the last few months," she said, tapping her heart.
She said gaining weight and then going in the opposite direction to play a slim musical star in "Chicago" was all part of the job -- and women are no less dedicated than actors such as Robert De Niro, whose weight ballooned for "Raging Bull."
"You do what you think is necessary to authenticate an experience creatively," she said. "I've been able to play really interesting characters. It's just doing what the job requires."
Zellweger said she wasn't disappointed about not winning an Academy Award -- "Cold Mountain" is her third nomination. She said she and Kidman, who beat her in the Oscar race last year, were anything but rivals and grew close on the set.
"We were fast friends," Zellweger said. "It's an interesting way to get to know somebody. We weren't having cocktails or going to a party. We were meeting up at the barn to shovel manure. It was a really isolated part of the world.
"It was an intellectual exchange. It was a creative exchange. And it's very rewarding. I enjoyed it. I care about her and count her as one of my friends."
Zellweger defended efforts to guard her private life.
"I have a hard time with red carpets and people shouting your name," she said. "I'm not so good at it. It's not that certain parts are not exciting and fun. But that's not why I do this job. I can't imagine my personal life holds any value to people who don't know me. I honestly can't see that it would."
OutKast Wins Album of the Year Grammy
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Hip-hop duo OutKast won the album of the year Grammy on Sunday for its chart-topping double package "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below."
The award goes to the performer, as well as the producers, engineers and mixers. OutKast, which picked up six nominations, earlier won two prizes.
The other nominated albums were "Under Construction" by rapper Missy Elliott; "Fallen" by rock band Evanescence; "Justified" by pop singer Justin Timberlake; and "Elephant" by rock duo the White Stripes.
R&B singer Beyonce Knowles won five Grammy Awards, but was prevented from making a clean sweep when English rock band Coldplay surprisingly won the coveted record of the year prize.
In another unexpected development, rock band Evanescence was named best new artist -- to the chagrin of favored fellow nominee 50 Cent, who briefly took to the stage while the band was accepting its award.
Amid the fallout from Janet Jackson's breast-baring stunt at the Super Bowl last weekend, CBS broadcast the event with a five-minute time delay.
The network also insisted that Jackson and her partner-in-crime, Justin Timberlake, apologize on air as a condition for appearing as planned.
Timberlake obliged. Jackson, who has been scheduled to participate in a tribute to soul singer Luther Vandross, opted out of the event altogether.
Along with rapper Jay-Z, hip-hop duo OutKast and producer Pharrell Williams, Knowles led the Grammy contenders with nominations in six categories.
Critically acclaimed rock band Coldplay rained on her parade though, winning the record of the year prize for its tune "Clocks."
Frontman Chris Martin dedicated the award to late country singer Johnny Cash and to leading Democratic presidential hopeful "John Kerry, who hopefully will be your president one day."
OutKast was also nominated for record of the year, for its infectious dance hit "Hey Ya!" It won three awards including Album Of The Year.
BEST HARD ROCK PERFORMANCE
Rock band Evanescence was also in contention for album of the year. Besides the best new artist Grammy, it also won the Grammy for best hard rock performance.
Former Evanescence member Ben Moody, when asked about the gangsta rapper's impromptu appearance on stage, joked: "50 Cent is actually a former member of Evanescence."
Evanescence is no stranger to controversy, creating a storm in the Christian music community last year by disavowing its spiritual roots. Moody's sudden departure last year, while the band was on tour, has created a rift with singer Amy Lee.
Knowles, the 22-year-old frontwoman with R&B trio Destiny's Child, was lauded largely for her debut solo release, "Dangerously in Love." She told reporters backstage that she was not disappointed about losing to Coldplay.
"I love that song, and they definitely deserved it. That song was just genius," Knowles said.
Her album "Dangerously in Love" was named best contemporary R&B album, while the title track was honored for female R&B vocal performance. She and boyfriend Jay-Z, who also had six nominations, shared Grammys for the song, "Crazy in Love," which won for rap/sung collaboration and R&B song.
Her other Grammy was for a duet with soul icon Luther Vandross, "The Closer I Get To You," which won for R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals.
Vandross, who was stricken by a near-fatal stroke last April, won two other Grammys. "Dance With my Father" was named best R&B album, and its title track best male R&B vocal performance. Vandross picked up five nominations overall and had hoped to attend the Grammys, but he was not well enough.
In his absence, singers Alicia Keys, Celine Dion and Richard Marx performed a tribute to him. Vandross, in his first public appearance, sent his greetings a taped video message, and sang the line, "I believe in the power of love."
Bluegrass musician Alison Krauss also picked up three Grammy Awards, taking her career total to 17 -- eighth on the all-time list of Grammy winners.
Other double-winners included rapper Eminem, rock band White Stripes, jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter, and Timberlake.
OutKast's "Hey Ya!" won the Grammy for urban/alternative performance. During the televised portion, OutKast's double album, "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" was named best rap album.
In one of the shortest acceptance speeches in Grammy history, group member Andre "3000" Benjamin took the stage to say "Thank you," and then bounded off. His cohort, Antwan "Big Boi" Patton, was not present.
46th Annual GRAMMY Awards Final Winners List
General Field
Category 1
Record Of The Year
(Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s), if other than the artist.)
* Clocks
Coldplay
Coldplay & Ken Nelson, producers; Coldplay, Ken Nelson & Mark Phythian, engineers/mixers
[Capitol Records]
Category 2
Album Of The Year
(Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s)/Mixer(s) & Mastering Engineer(s), if other than the artist.)
* Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
Andrι "3000" Benjamin, Carl Mo & Antwan "Big Boi" Patton, producers; Vincent Alexander, Chris Carmouche, Terrence Cash, Kevin "KD" Davis, Reggie Dozier, John Frye, Robert Hannon, Padraic Kernin, Moka Nagatani, Pete Novak, Brian Paturalski, Neal Pogue, Dexter Simmons, Matt Still & Darrell Thorpe, engineers/mixers; Brian Gardner & Bernie
Grundman, mastering engineers
[Arista Records]
Category 3
Song Of The Year
(A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)
* Dance With My Father
Richard Marx & Luther Vandross, songwriters (Luther Vandross)
Track from: Dance With My Father
[J Records; Publishers: Uncle Ronnie's Music, EMI April Music & Chi-Boy Music]
Category 4
Best New Artist
(For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist.)
* Evanescence
Field 1 Pop
Category 5
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Beautiful
Christina Aguilera
Track from: Stripped
[RCA Records]
Category 6
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Cry Me A River
Justin Timberlake
Track from: Justified
[Jive Records]
Category 7
Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
(For established duos or groups, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Underneath It All
No Doubt
Track from: Rock Steady
[Interscope Records]
Category 8
Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
(For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Whenever I Say Your Name
Sting & Mary J. Blige
Track from: Sacred Love
[A&M Records]
Category 9
Best Pop Instrumental Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Marwa Blues
George Harrison
Track from: Brainwashed
[Capitol Records]
Category 10
Best Pop Instrumental Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)
* Mambo Sinuendo
Ry Cooder & Manuel Galbαn
[Nonesuch/Perro Verde]
Category 11
Best Pop Vocal Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
* Justified
Justin Timberlake
[Jive Records]
Field 2 Dance
Category 12
Best Dance Recording
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances. Vocal or Instrumental. Singles or tracks only.)
* Come Into My World
Kylie Minogue
Rob Davis & Cathy Dennis, producers; Rob Davis, Cathy Dennis, Bruce Elliott-Smith & Phil Larsen, mixers
Track from: Fever
[Capitol Records]
Field 3 Traditional Pop
Category 13
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
* A Wonderful World
Tony Bennett & k.d. lang
[RPM/Columbia Records]
Field 4 Rock
Category 14
Best Female Rock Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Trouble
Pink
[Arista Records]
Category 15
Best Male Rock Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Gravedigger
Dave Matthews
Track from: Some Devil
[RCA Records/Bama Rags]
Category 16
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
(For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Disorder In The House
Warren Zevon & Bruce Springsteen
Track from: The Wind
[Artemis Records]
Category 17
Best Hard Rock Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Bring Me To Life
Evanescence Featuring Paul McCoy
Track from: Fallen
[Wind-up Records]
Category 18
Best Metal Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
* St. Anger
Metallica
Track from: St. Anger
[Elektra Entertainment Group]
Category 19
Best Rock Instrumental Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Includes Rock, Hard Rock and Metal. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Plan B
Jeff Beck
Track from: Jeff
[Epic Records]
Category 20
Best Rock Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Rock, Hard Rock & Metal songs. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)
* Seven Nation Army
Jack White, songwriter (The White Stripes)
Track from: Elephant
[V2/ThirdMan Records; Publisher: Peppermint Stripe Music]
Category 21
Best Rock Album
(Vocal or Instrumental. Includes Hard Rock and Metal.)
* One By One
Foo Fighters
[RCA/Roswell Records]
Field 5 Alternative
Category 22
Best Alternative Music Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Elephant
The White Stripes
[V2/ThirdMan Records]
Field 6 R&B
Category 23
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Dangerously In Love 2
Beyoncι
Track from: Dangerously In Love
[Columbia Records/Music World Music]
Category 24
Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Dance With My Father
Luther Vandross
Track from: Dance With My Father
[J Records]
Category 25
Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
* The Closer I Get To You
Beyoncι & Luther Vandross
Track from: Dangerously In Love AND FROM Dance With My Father
[Columbia Records AND J Records]
Category 26
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Wonderful
Aretha Franklin
Track from: So Damn Happy
[Arista Records]
Category 27
Best Urban/Alternative Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Hey Ya!
OutKast
Track from: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
[Arista Records]
Category 28
Best R&B Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)
* Crazy In Love
Shawn Carter, Rich Harrison, Beyoncι Knowles & (Eugene Record), songwriters (Beyoncι Featuring Jay-Z)
Track from: Dangerously In Love
[Columbia Records/Music World Music; Publishers: Beyoncι Publishing/Hitco South, EMI Blackwood Music, Dam Rich Music, EMI April Music, Carter Boys Publishing & Unichappell Music.]
Category 29
Best R&B Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
* Dance With My Father
Luther Vandross
[J Records]
Category 30
Best Contemporary R&B Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
* Dangerously In Love
Beyoncι
[Columbia Records/Music World Music]
Field 7 Rap
Category 31
Best Female Rap Solo Performance
(For a solo Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Work It
Missy Elliott
Track from: Under Construction
[Gold Mind/Elektra Entertainment Group]
Category 32
Best Male Rap Solo Performance
(For a solo Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Lose Yourself
Eminem
Track from: 8 Mile - Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture (Various Artists)
[Shady/Interscope Records]
Category 33
Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group
(For duo, group or collaborative performances of Rap only. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Shake Ya Tailfeather
Nelly, P. Diddy & Murphy Lee
Track from: Bad Boys II Soundtrack
[Bad Boy/Universal Motown Records]
Category 34
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
(For a Rap/Sung collaborative performance by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Crazy In Love
Beyoncι Featuring Jay-Z
Track from: Dangerously In Love
[Columbia Records/Music World Music]
Category 35
Best Rap Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)
* Lose Yourself
J. Bass, M. Mathers & L. Resto, songwriters (Eminem)
Track from: 8 Mile - Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture (Various Artists)
[Shady/Interscope Records; Publisher: Eight Mile Style]
Category 36
Best Rap Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
* Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
[Arista Records]
Field 8 Country
Category 37
Best Female Country Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Keep On The Sunny Side
June Carter Cash
Track from: Wildwood Flower
[Dualtone Music Group]
Category 38
Best Male Country Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Next Big Thing
Vince Gill
Track from: Next Big Thing
[MCA Nashville]
Category 39
Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
(For established duos or groups with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
* A Simple Life
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Track from: Live At The Charleston Music Hall
[Skaggs Family Records]
Category 40
Best Country Collaboration With Vocals
(For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)
* How's The World Treating You
James Taylor & Alison Krauss
Track from: Livin', Lovin', Losin' - Songs Of The Louvin Brothers
[Universal South]
Category 41
Best Country Instrumental Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Cluck Old Hen
Alison Krauss + Union Station
Track from: Live
[Rounder Records]
Category 42
Best Country Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)
* It's Five O'Clock Somewhere
Jim "Moose" Brown & Don Rollins, songwriters (Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett)
Track from: Greatest Hits Volume II
[Arista Nashville; Publishers: EMI April Music, Inc./Sea Gayle Music/ Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./R. Joseph Publishing]
Category 43
Best Country Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Livin', Lovin', Losin' - Songs Of The Louvin Brothers
Various Artists
Carl Jackson, producer
[Universal South]
Category 44
Best Bluegrass Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Live
Alison Krauss + Union Station
[Rounder Records]
Field 9 New Age
Category 45
Best New Age Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* One Quiet Night
Pat Metheny
[Warner Bros. Records]
Field 10 Jazz
Category 46
Best Contemporary Jazz Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)
* 34th N Lex
Randy Brecker
[ESC Records]
Category 47
Best Jazz Vocal Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
* A Little Moonlight
Dianne Reeves
[Blue Note Records]
Category 48
Best Jazz Instrumental Solo
(For an instrumental jazz solo performance. Two equal performers on one recording may be eligible as one entry. If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter's name is in parenthesis for identification. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Matrix
Chick Corea, soloist
Track from: Rendezvous In New York
[Stretch Records]
Category 49
Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)
* Alegrνa
Wayne Shorter
[Verve Records]
Category 50
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
(For large jazz ensembles, including big band sounds. Albums must contain 51% or more INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)
* Wide Angles
Michael Brecker Quindectet
[Verve Records]
Category 51
Best Latin Jazz Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Live At The Blue Note
Michel Camilo With Charles Flores & Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez
[Telarc]
Field 11 Gospel
Category 52
Best Rock Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
* Worldwide
Audio Adrenaline
[Forefront Records]
Category 53
Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
* Worship Again
Michael W. Smith
[Reunion Records]
Category 54
Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
* Rise And Shine
Randy Travis
[Word Records]
Category 55
Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
* Go Tell It On The Mountain
The Blind Boys Of Alabama
[Real World]
Category 56
Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
* ...Again
Donnie McClurkin
[Verity Records]
Category 57
Best Gospel Choir Or Chorus Album
(For choirs or choruses only, with or without lead vocalist(s).)
* A Wing And A Prayer
Bishop T.D. Jakes, choir director; The Potter's House Mass Choir
[EMI Gospel/Dexterity Sounds]
Field 12 Latin
Category 58
Best Latin Pop Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* No Es Lo Mismo
Alejandro Sanz
[WEA International]
Category 59
Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Cuatro Caminos
Cafι Tacuba
[MCA Records]
Category 60
Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Buenos Hermanos
Ibrahim Ferrer
[Nonesuch Records]
Category 61
Best Salsa/Merengue Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Regalo Del Alma
Celia Cruz
[Sony Discos]
Category 62
Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Afortunado
Joan Sebastian
[Musart/Balboa Records]
Category 63
Best Tejano Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Si Me Faltas Tu
Jimmy Gonzalez y El Grupo Mazz
[Freddie Records]
Field 13 Blues
Category 64
Best Traditional Blues Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Blues Singer
Buddy Guy
[Silvertone Records]
Category 65
Best Contemporary Blues Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Let's Roll
Etta James
[Private Music]
Field 14 Folk
Category 66
Best Traditional Folk Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Wildwood Flower
June Carter Cash
[Dualtone Music Group]
Category 67
Best Contemporary Folk Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* The Wind
Warren Zevon
[Artemis Records]
Category 68
Best Native American Music Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Flying Free
Black Eagle
[Soar]
Field 15 Reggae
Category 69
Best Reggae Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Dutty Rock
Sean Paul
[VP/Atlantic Records]
Field 16 World Music
Category 70
Best Traditional World Music Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Sacred Tibetan Chant
The Monks Of Sherab Ling Monastery
[Naxos World]
Category 71
Best Contemporary World Music Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Voz D'Amor
Cesaria Evora
[Bluebird]
Field 17 Polka
Category 72
Best Polka Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
* Let's Polka 'Round
Jimmy Sturr
[Rounder Select]
Field 18 Children's
Category 73
Best Musical Album For Children
(For albums consisting of predominantly music or song vs. spoken word.)
* Bon Appιtit!
Cathy Fink And Marcy Marxer
[Rounder Kids]
Category 74
Best Spoken Word Album For Children
(For albums consisting of predominantly spoken word vs. music or song.)
* Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf/Beintus: Wolf Tracks
Bill Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev & Sophia Loren (Kent Nagano; Russian National Orch.)
[Penta Tone Music]
Field 19 Spoken Word
Category 75
Best Spoken Word Album
(Narrated/dramatized books include authors' names in parenthesis for identification.)
* Lies And The Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair And Balanced Look At The Right (Al Franken)
Al Franken
[HighBridge Audio]
Field 20 Comedy
Category 76
Best Comedy Album
(For comedy recordings, spoken or musical)
* Poodle Hat
"Weird Al" Yankovic
[Volcano Entertainment]
Field 21 Musical Show
Category 77
Best Musical Show Album
(Award to the Album Producer(s), and to the Lyricist(s) & Composer(s) of 51% or more of a new score. (Artist, Lyricist & Composer names appear in parenthesis.))
* Gypsy
Jay David Saks, producer (Jule Styne, composer; Stephen Sondheim, lyricist) (New Broadway Cast With Bernadette Peters, Tammy Blanchard, John Dossett & Others)
[Angel Records]
Field 22 Film/TV/Visual Media
Category 78
Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
(Award to the Artist(s) and/or Producer(s) of a majority of the tracks on the album, or to the individual(s) actively responsible for the concept and musical direction and for the selection of artists, songs and producers, as applicable.)
* Chicago
Various Artists
Randy Spendlove & Ric Wake, compilation producers
[Epic Records/Sony Music Soundtrax]
Category 79
Best Score Soundtrack Album For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
(Award to Composer(s) for an original score created specifically for, or as a companion to, a current legitimate motion picture, television show or series or other visual media.)
* The Lord Of The Rings - The Two Towers
Howard Shore, composer (Howard Shore)
[Reprise Records/WMG Soundtracks]
Category 80
Best Song Written For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
(A Songwriter(s) award. For a song (melody & lyrics) written specifically for a motion picture, television or other visual media, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)
* A Mighty Wind (From A Mighty Wind)
Christoher Guest, Eugene Levy & Michael McKean, songwriters (The Folksmen, Mitch & Mickey, And The New Main Street Singers)
Track from: A Mighty Wind
[DMZ/Columbia Records/Sony Music Soundtrax; Publishers: Shmenge Music, Coney Island Whitefish Music & Tuxedo Time Music]
Field 23 Composing/Arranging
Category 81
Best Instrumental Composition
(A Composer's Award for an original composition (not an adaptation) first released during the Eligibility Year. Singles or Tracks only.)
* Sacajawea
Wayne Shorter, composer (Wayne Shorter)
Track from: Alegrνa
[Verve Records]
Category 82
Best Instrumental Arrangement
(An Arranger's Award. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)
* Timbuktu
Michael Brecker & Gil Goldstein, arrangers (Michael Brecker Quindectet)
Track from: Wide Angles
[Verve Records]
Category 83
Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)
(An Arranger's Award. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.)
* Woodstock
Vince Mendoza, arranger (Joni Mitchell)
Track from: Travelogue
[Nonesuch]
Field 24 Package
Category 84
Best Recording Package
* Evolve
Ani DiFranco & Brian Grunert, art directors (Ani DiFranco)
[Righteous Babe Records]
Category 85
Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package
* The Complete Jack Johnson Sessions
Julian Alexander, Howard Fritzson & Seth Rothstein, art directors (Miles Davis)
[Columbia/Legacy Recordings]
Field 25 Album Notes
Category 86
Best Album Notes
* Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: A Musical Journey
Tom Piazza, album notes writer (Various Artists)
[Hip-O Records]
Field 26 Historical
Category 87
Best Historical Album
* Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: A Musical Journey
Steve Berkowitz, Alex Gibney, Andy McKaie & Jerry Rappaport, compilation producers; Gavin Lurssen & Joseph M. Palmaccio, mastering engineers (Various Artists)
[Hip-O Records]
Field 27 Production, Non-Classical
Category 88
Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
(An Engineer's Award. (Artists names appear in parenthesis.))
* Hail To The Thief
Nigel Godrich & Darrell Thorp, engineers (Radiohead)
[Capitol Records]
Category 89
Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical
(A Producer's Award. (Artists names appear in parenthesis.))
* The Neptunes
* Beautiful (Snoop Dogg Featuring Pharrell & Uncle Charlie Wilson) (S)
* Come Close (Common Featuring Mary J. Blige) (T)
* Excuse Me Miss (Jay-Z) (S)
* Frontin' (The Neptunes Featuring Pharrell Williams & Jay-Z) (S)
* Justified (Justin Timberlake) (A)
* Luv U Better (LL Cool J Featuring Marc Dorsey) (T)
* The Neptunes Present...Clones (The Neptunes Featuring Various Artists) (A)
* Rock Your Body (Justin Timberlake) (T)
Category 90
Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical
(A Remixer's Award. (Artists names appear in parenthesis for identification.) Singles or Tracks only.)
* Crazy In Love (Maurice's Soul Mix)
Maurice Joshua, remixer (Beyoncι Featuring Jay-Z)
[Columbia Records/Music World Music]
Field 28 Production, Classical
Category 91
Best Engineered Album, Classical
(An Engineer's Award. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.))
* Obrigado Brazil
Richard King & Todd Whitelock, engineers (Yo-Yo Ma)
[Sony Classical]
Category 92
Producer Of The Year, Classical
(A Producer's Award. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.))
* Steven Epstein
* Mendelssohn/Bruch: Violin Concertos (Midori)
* Obrigado Brazil (Yo-Yo Ma)
* Paris La Belle Ιpoque (Yo-Yo Ma & Kathryn Stott)
Field 29 Classical
Category 93
Best Classical Album
(Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s) if other than the Artist.)
* Mahler: Symphony No. 3; Kindertotenlieder
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; Michelle DeYoung, mezzo soprano; Andreas Neubronner, producer (Vance George; Pacific Boychoir, San Francisco Girls Chorus & Women of the SFS Chorus; San Francisco Symphony)
[SFS Media]
Category 94
Best Orchestral Performance
(Award to the Conductor and to the Orchestra.)
* Mahler: Symphony No. 3
Pierre Boulez, conductor (Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo soprano; Johannes Prinz & Gerald Wirth; Vienna Boys' Choir & Women's Chorus of the Vienna Singverein; Vienna Philharmonic)
[Deutsche Grammophon]
Category 95
Best Opera Recording
(Award to the Conductor, Album Producer(s) and Principal Soloists.)
* Janαcek: Jenufa
Bernard Haitink, conductor; Jerry Hadley, Karita Mattila, Eva Randovα, Anja Silja & Jorma Silvasti; Wolfram Graul, producer (Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden)
[Erato Disques]
Category 96
Best Choral Performance
(Award to the Choral Conductor, and to the Orchestra Conductor if an Orchestra is on the recording, and to the Choral Director or Chorus Master if applicable.)
* Sibelius: Cantatas
Paavo Jδrvi, conductor; Tiia-Ester Loitme & Ants Soots, chorus masters (Ellerhein Girls' Choir & Estonian National Male Choir; Estonian National Symphony Orchestra)
[Virgin Classics]
Category 97
Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra)
(Award to the Instrumental Soloist(s) and to the Conductor.)
* Britten: Violin Concerto/Walton: Viola Concerto
Mstislav Rostropovich, conductor; Maxim Vengerov, violin & viola (London Symphony Orchestra)
[EMI Classics]
Category 98
Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra)
(Award to the Instrumental Soloist.)
* Haydn: Piano Sonatas Nos. 29, 31, 34, 35 & 49
Emanuel Ax, piano
[Sony Classical]
Category 99
Best Chamber Music Performance
(Award to the Artists.)
* Berg: Lyric Suite
Kronos Quartet & Dawn Upshaw, soprano
[Nonesuch Records]
Category 100
Best Small Ensemble Performance (with or without Conductor)
(Award to the Ensemble (and to the Conductor.))
* Chαvez: Suite For Double Quartet
Jeff von der Schmidt, conductor; Southwest Chamber Music
Track from: Chαvez: Complete Chamber Music, Vol. I
[Cambria Master Recordings]
Category 101
Best Classical Vocal Performance
(Award to the Vocal Soloist(s).)
* Schubert: Lieder With Orchestra
Thomas Quasthoff, bass-baritone & Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo soprano (Claudio Abbado; Chamber Orchestra of Europe)
[Deutsche Grammophon]
Category 102
Best Classical Contemporary Composition
(A Composer's Award. (For a contemporary classical composition composed within the last 25 years, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year.))
* Argento: Casa Guidi
Dominick Argento (Frederica von Stade, mezzo soprano; Eiji Oue; Minnesota Orchestra)
Track from: Argento: Casa Guidi; Capriccio For Clarinet And Orchestra, Etc.
[Reference Recordings]
Category 103
Best Classical Crossover Album
(Award to the Artist(s) and/or to the Conductor.)
* Obrigado Brazil
Jorge Calandrelli, conductor; Yo-Yo Ma, cello (Various Artists)
[Sony Classical]
Field 30 Music Video
Category 104
Best Short Form Music Video
(For an individual track or single promotional clip. Award to the Artist and to the Video Director/Producer.)
* Hurt
Johnny Cash
Mark Romanek, video director; Aris McGarry, video producer
[American Recordings/Lost Highway Records]
Category 105
Best Long Form Music Video
(For video album packages consisting of more than one song or track. Award to the Artist and to the Video Director/Producer of at least 51% of the total playing time.)
* Legend
(Sam Cooke)
Mick Gochanour, Robin Klein & Mary Wharton, video producers
[Abkco Music & Records]
Justin Timberlake Accepts Grammy with an Apology
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Bowing to pressure from CBS, Justin Timberlake used his Grammy acceptance speech on Sunday to apologize again for last week's Super Bowl halftime show, when he tore off part of Janet Jackson's outfit and exposed her right breast.
"I know it's been a rough week on everybody," Timberlake said. "And what occurred was unintentional, completely regrettable and I apologize if you guys were offended."
CBS, which televised both the Grammys and the Super Bowl, had insisted that Timberlake and Jackson apologize on air as a condition for appearing at the annual awards show as planned.
The network, in a statement, said that Timberlake had accepted on those terms, but that Jackson had declined.
CBS, which said it had "serious reservations" about the planned Grammy appearances by Timberlake and Jackson, took the unusual step of broadcasting the awards show with a five-minute tape delay to prevent any further embarrassment after Jackson's breast was exposed before the biggest television audience of the year.
"This is officially the greatest moment of my life. Thank you," said Timberlake, who was accepting his second Grammy of the evening.
In opening the award envelope, presenter Jakob Dylan offered a word of apparently tongue-in-cheek caution before reading Timberlake's name: "Behave," he said.
Timberlake won for best male pop vocal performance in "Cry Me a River." His album "Justified" was earlier named best pop vocal album.
Jackson did not to attend the music industry's most prestigious awards. She had been scheduled to present a special Grammy to Luther Vandross, immediately following Timberlake's appearance on stage.
Jackson had apologized for the Super Bowl show in a videotaped statement earlier this week.
The Super Bowl halftime show touched off a Federal Communications Commission probe, a proposed class action lawsuit and hours of discussion on the Web and talk shows.
Indiana Jones and the Long Delay
Indiana Jones has found the lost ark and the holy grail. Now he just needs a rewrite.
That's the word from Paramount regarding the hugely anticipated fourth Indiana Jones movie.
The studio has confirmed that the trifecta of Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford have put the project on hold after Lucas decided he wasn't happy with the screenplay penned by filmmaker Frank Darabont (The Green Mile,Shawshank Redemption).
"They'll be some more script work," says Spielberg rep Marv Levy, who could not say exactly how long production would be delayed or how it would affect Paramount's targeted July 4, 2005 release date.
Fans wanting to keep up with the Jones will have to keep waiting. The film now might not even begin filming until 2005. That would put Ford closer to archeological relic status--he could be 63 by the time Indy swings onto the big screen again.
(Not there's anything wrong with that--Ford has repeatedly stated in interviews that he looks forward to portraying an older, creakier, Dr. Jones.)
The movie fan Website ComingSoon.net reported that producers had already scouted locations for the sequel in Hawaii and that the fourth installment was slated to shoot there for two months next summer. A Paramount rep, however, says the film will now continue in development as long as necessary, with an as-yet unidentified new writer coming aboard to polish Darabont's script.
Aside from a decent screenplay, the studio also needs to synch the schedules of Ford, Spielberg and Lucas--a seemingly daunting task these days.
Spielberg, who's currently wrapping up the immigrant drama Terminal with Tom Hanks, will segue into work on another project until he Indy script is honed and ready.
One potential flick might be The Rivals, a DreamWorks drama about the legendary rivalry between 19th century stage divas Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse. Spielberg has personally been overseeing the project's development at the studio. Another film also on the drawing board is a remake of the hit 1947 comedy The Secret Life of Walter Mitty starring Jim Carrey.
Tthere's also Nine Lives, a new miniseries about "love and death" he's executive producing for the Sci-Fi Channel, as well as a new untitled longform series for HBO along the lines of his Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning Band of Brothers, this one focusing on the Pacific theater of World War II.
Ford, whose divorce from screenwriter Melissa Mathison became official last month, is reportedly considering other films to fill the void in the meantime, but hasn't made any deals yet.
As for Lucas, the mastermind behind the Indiana Jones trilogy is busy finishing up his other baby--Star Wars: Episode III--slated for release in May 2005.
Snowboarder Hurt During Letterman Stunt
NEW YORK - A snowboarder performing a stunt for David Letterman's late-night TV show veered off a ramp on a Manhattan street and fell 25 feet to the ground Thursday.
The woman, snowboarding champion Tara Dakides, was taken to a hospital and was listed in stable condition, said "Late Night with David Letterman" executive producer Rob Burnett.
Witnesses said the 30-year-old snowboarder made two successful jumps on the U-shaped ramp, set up outside the Ed Sullivan Theater, and then fell off the ramp after landing a third time.
"She came down at an angle and she just went off the side of the ramp and landed on her back," said Dave Riddle, a tour bus driver from Orlando, Fla.
The CBS show regularly tapes stunts on the streets outside the studio. Because of the accident, the "Late Show" stopped taping and planned to air a repeat episode Thursday night.
Dakides, nicknamed the Terrorizer, has finished first in several X Games events, according to the EXPN.com site.
Beatlemania Frenzy Celebrates 40 Years
LONDON - Just after 1 p.m. on Feb. 7, 1964, a Pan Am flight from London landed at New York's Idlewild airport. It was carrying a revolution, in the shape of four shaggy-haired musicians from Liverpool.
Over the next two weeks The Beatles stormed America, appearing three times on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and playing concerts in front of thousands of fervid fans. By the time they flew home, the Fab Four were the most famous band in the world, and the nature of celebrity had changed forever.
"I'd never heard of them," said filmmaker Albert Maysles, who recorded the trip with his brother David for a newly reissued documentary. "Fortunately, my brother knew who they were.
"The first I heard of it was the call from (Britain's) Granada Television saying they'll be here in two hours," he told The Associated Press on Thursday. "We rushed out to the airport and spent the next four, five, six days with The Beatles."
The Maysles brothers' film of the visit, shot originally for British TV, is being rereleased on DVD to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the birth of Beatlemania in the United States.
"The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit" was filmed with handheld camera in the brothers' influential "direct cinema" style, giving even four decades on a remarkably fresh and intimate portrait of the band on the cusp of its biggest fame.
Opening with the chaotic scenes of enraptured fans and puzzled reporters that met The Beatles at the airport, the film captures the band in hotel rooms and on trains as well as onstage listening to their songs being played on transistor radio; watching American TV and going to a nightclub; looking alternately delighted and terrified at their near-hysterical reception.
The Beatles' first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on Feb. 9, 1964, was watched by more than 70 million people 40 percent of the U.S. population. A second appearance a week later drew similar figures.
The Maysles brothers' footage of the cheeky, unguarded Beatles helped cement their "lovable moptop" reputation, and influenced Richard Lester's frenetic Beatles feature "A Hard Day's Night," released later the same year.
"We were totally flexible, just the two of us," said Albert Maysles, who at 71 continues to make films. David Maysles died in 1987.
"Because it was shot that way, there was no need for a narrator to tell you what was going on. You identified with The Beatles. You didn't need a narrator to explain it to you.
"A woman who'd seen the film recently said to me, 'I felt like the camera was one of The Beatles.'"
The film's style recalls the documentarists' best-known films, which include "Gimme Shelter," about the Rolling Stones' violence-marred Altamont concert in 1969, and "Grey Gardens," a haunting film about a reclusive mother and daughter, relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
"It's always been my desire to get closer, to get really into the heart and soul of the people and what's going on," Maysles said.
With The Beatles, he thinks he succeeded, thanks in large part to the band members, whom he remembers as "so unpretentious.
"There was no affectation ... Thousands of people were showing up to see them. Anyone else would be so inflated, their egos. But as long as I knew The Beatles they remained the same regular guys, with all the best instincts."
"The Beatles: The First U.S. Visit" is out on Apple/Capitol in the United States and is released in Britain and Europe on Feb. 9.
Sofia Coppola and her dad celebrate DVD release of Lost in Translation
LOS ANGELES (AP) - By most accounts, it was even bigger than the premiere.
Lost in Translation, which counts a best-picture bid among its four Oscar nominations, debuted on DVD on Tuesday with a sushi and karaoke party reminiscent of the Tokyo bar where the lonely Americans Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson forged their semi-romantic friendship. "The thing that was great for me was just to make the movie, to see it finished, and make the movie that I had in my mind. So all of this is great, but not at all what I'd have guessed," writer-director Sofia Coppola said.
Although Murray is in Italy at work on another movie, co-star Johansson and Coppola's filmmaking father, Francis Ford Coppola, who co-produced Lost in Translation, attended the party at Los Angeles' Koi restaurant, alongside stars such as Quentin Tarantino, Marisa Tomei and Gary Busey.
"They used to call home video 'the back end,' but tonight this seems more like the front door, compared to our rinky-dink premiere in New York," joked James Schamus, co-president of the movie's distributor, Focus Features.
Coppola's film debuted to critical acclaim in September, and slowly became a box-office hit that has held its own during awards season against The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Her father, an Oscar winner for The Godfather: Part II and a directing nominee for each film in the trilogy, said he had this advice for her during the Academy Awards race: "Accept it all with a sense of honour and tradition."
Coppola, 32, made her feature-film directing debut in 1999 with The Virgin Suicides. She is the first American woman to be nominated for a directing Oscar.
Jackson May Back Out of Grammy Awards
LOS ANGELES - As three major TV networks shifted broadcast plans in reaction to the racy Super Bowl halftime show, Janet Jackson's publicist said she may back out of Sunday's Grammy Awards and Justin Timberlake admitted his own family was offended by the pop stars' stunt.
Timberlake on Wednesday insisted he thought only Jackson's bustier would be revealed, not her breast, when he yanked at her costume. He said he understood "how unfortunate this is."
"I do understand that there were a lot of people that were completely offended by what happened, including my own family. And I think that's probably the part that's frustrating the most for me, and it's completely, completely, completely, regrettable," he told KCBS-TV outside the Staples Center, where he was rehearsing for the Grammys.
Jackson, meanwhile, is thinking twice about appearing for the Grammys telecast, her publicist, Steven Huvane, told CNN. "We don't think she's going to go," he said.
The one-second flashing revealed Jackson's right breast clad only in a sun-shaped nipple covering to some 89 million viewers.
The singer has issued videotaped and written apologies and denied that the NFL, CBS or MTV, which produced the halftime show for CBS, knew of her plans. Jackson's spokeswoman said a red lace garment was supposed to remain.
Timberlake said he received a call before the show from Jackson and her choreographer saying they wanted to do a "costume reveal."
"Now I was under the impression that what was going to be revealed in the costume reveal was a red brassiere, bustier," he said.
Timberlake said he didn't have time to rehearse it before taking the stage and was stunned by the outcome.
"I mean I was completely shocked and appalled, and all I could say was 'Oh my God, Oh my God,'" he said.
The NFL and three TV networks made shifts this week as fallout from the performance continued.
The NFL responded to outrage over the Super Bowl show by replacing one of Timberlake's 'N Sync bandmates, JC Chasez, in the Pro Bowl halftime show Sunday in Honolulu.
The new halftime plan is for a Hawaiian extravaganza featuring hula dancers, drummers, conch shell blowers and local singers.
CBS promised to institute a video delay system to avoid any similar incidents at the Grammy awards. The fiasco has prompted the Federal Communications Commission to investigate the network to determine whether the Super Bowl show violated decency laws. Penalties could reach into the millions of dollars if each CBS station is fined.
ABC said it will also implement an audio and video delay of undetermined length for its domestic broadcast of the Academy Awards on Feb. 29. The network had been considering such a move for some time and employs similar delays for other live prime-time broadcasts, including the American Music Awards.
The fiasco also affected NBC, which decided to remove a glimpse of an elderly patient's breast in Thursday's episode of "ER."
The network said Wednesday it had "unfortunately concluded that the atmosphere created by this week's events has made it too difficult for many of our affiliates to air this shot."
MTV also suffered fallout. The school board in Laguna Beach, Calif., voted unanimously Wednesday to forbid the network to build a reality show around the lives of its high school students.
Board members had tentatively approved the deal last week. It would have given the district as much as $40,000 plus royalties for college scholarships.
The deal was nixed after the board faced opposition from angry parents. "The tenor of the landscape has changed in light of the events during the Super Bowl," said school board member Bob Whalen.
'Rings' Rules Over Empire Film Awards
LONDON (Reuters) - Epic fantasy film "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" has added more silver to its burgeoning trophy cabinet at Britain's annual Empire magazine awards, picking up the coveted best film gong.
"Rings," an Oscar favorite after scoring big at the Golden Globes in Los Angeles, also won the best British actor accolade for Andy Serkis for his role as the animated creature Gollum.
"I'd like to say thank you to all the Empire readers who were clearly intelligent and could see that there was an actor involved in the part," Serkis told the ceremony.
The film's "Ride of the Rohirrim" sequence was named movie scene of the year.
The awards, voted for by readers of Empire film magazine, were handed out at London's Dorchester hotel Wednesday.
Romantic comedy "Love Actually" was the night's other big winner, picking up three awards, including best British film and best British actress for Emma Thompson.
A surprised Thompson said: "I was once at an Empire Awards back in 1897. It was a long time ago and it wasn't nearly so grand... you've made an old woman very happy."
The award is the second in a week for Thompson, following her success at the Evening Standard Awards Sunday.
Former soap star and singer Martine McCutcheon was named best newcomer for her role as the prime minister's (actor Hugh Grant's) tea lady and love interest in "Love Actually" -- a part written especially for her by director Richard Curtis.
"Pirates of the Caribbean" star and Oscar nominee Johnny Depp was named best actor, while "Kill Bill" actress Uma Thurman picked up the best actress gong.
Quentin Tarantino won best director for "Kill Bill" and "Aliens" star Sigourney Weaver was on hand to pick up the Empire Career Achievement Award.
Britney Spears' 'Bond' Girl Dreams
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Britney Spears is setting her sights on becoming the next "Bond" girl.
The 22-year-old met with the producers of the "James Bond" franchise during her stay in London to discuss the possibility, according to entertainment newsmagazine "Extra."
The pop princess met with producer Barbara Broccoli, who has been setting up the next 007 installment. Production is slated to begin in January 2005, with a release date around Thanksgiving of that year.
The untitled "Bond 21" will star Pierce Brosnan, reprising the role of the suave agent who has incredible luck with a constantly changing stable of sexy women with ludicrous names.
If Spears gets her wish, she will join the ranks of Kim Basinger, Denise Richards and Halle Berry, who last starred in 2002's "Die Another Day."
Spears starred in 2002's "Crossroads" and appeared in a cameo as herself in "Austin Powers in Goldmember" that same year. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in November.
IN ABSENTIA
Reps for Luther Vandross say he is too ill to attend Sunday's Grammy Awards where he's nominated for five awards, including Song of the Year for "Dance with My Father." The singer suffered a severe stroke last April and is still in a wheelchair.
Nicholson Says Wild Days Are Over, Wants Partner
LONDON (Reuters) - Jack Nicholson says periods of loneliness and yearning for a partner have replaced his hell-raising days as one of Hollywood's most notorious womanizers.
"I think it is very unattractive for me to be seen fawning over little, tiny girls," the Oscar-winning actor said. "I didn't feel that for a long time in my life, but now I do.
The 66-year-old said in a newspaper interview in Britain that he still wants a sex life, but can't be bothered to play the dating game.
"Of course I get lonely. Not lonely the way I might have been when I was 25 and it would have filled me with angst.
"I have learned to enjoy times alone. But I wish I had a partner," he told the Daily Telegraph newspaper in an interview published Wednesday to promote his film "Something's Got to Give."
Asked whether he could remember his carousing days in the '60s, he replied: "Honey, I am one of those who can remember the '40s."
Although he admits his wildest days are gone, he isn't ready to give up all his old habits and can still cut the mustard between the sheets.
"I only take Viagra when I'm with more than one woman," he quipped.
Nicholson said he wanted to look like he did when he made "The Shining" horror film in 1980.
"I am always a little bit shocked when I look in the mirror. I expect to see some earlier version of myself staring back," he said, adding that he expects to see a 42-year-old Jack.
Nicholson, who divorced actress Sandra Knight in 1968, had a long relationship with Anjelica Huston and more recently dated Lara Flynn Boyle, said he doesn't miss dating.
"Dating just does not happen to be my scene at the moment. You know, I don't want to queue up, I don't want to get in line."
Asked if his life had passed quickly, he replied: "It's been like smoke through a keyhole."
Bowl Sponsor AOL Seeks Refund
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The controversial Super Bowl halftime show, in which Janet Jackson bared a breast to the chagrin of the NFL, CBS and show producer MTV, has touched the world's largest Internet service.
America Online has canceled plans to stream on-demand the halftime show that it reportedly paid $7.5 million to sponsor. The Time Warner-owned firm is reportedly seeking a refund for all or some of that money. Although AOL issued a statement distancing itself from what some government officials are calling a crass halftime performance, a representative declined comment on TW's desire for compensation from Viacom.
"While AOL was the sponsor of the Super Bowl halftime show, we did not produce it," the company said. "Like the NFL, we were surprised and disappointed with certain elements of the show. In deference to our membership and fans, AOL and AOL.com will not be presenting the halftime show online as originally planned."
The $7.5 million AOL paid to sponsor the halftime show included several ads for its new TopSpeed service. The sponsorship, therefore, represents a significant discount to the $2.3 million CBS reportedly charged per 30-second Super Bowl ad.
The Couch Potato Report
This week in the Couch Potato Report a film that doesn't get lost in translation and we'll go under the Tuscan Sun.
Bill Murray has starred in some of the most successful, and funniest comedies of all time.
His resume includes STRIPES. GHOSTBUSTERS. MEATBALLS. QUICK CHANGE. GROUNDHOG DAY. And CADDYSHACK.
As he matured as a person and as a performer he slowly segued from out and out comedic roles to playing funny characters in the mostly dramatic films RUSHMORE and THE ROYAL TENNENBAUMS.
If you look at his career trajectory the Oscar nominated performance he gives in this week's major new release doesn't come as a surprise.
If you know Bill Murray only from the aforementioned list of the most successful, and funniest comedies of all time then prepare to be surprised by LOST IN TRANSLATION.
Murray is Bob Harris, a once popular American actor who now finds more acceptance and money from the people of Japan than from his own country.
He goes to Tokyo to shoot some whisky commercials for a big payday.
Contrast this with Charlotte, a young wife who is staying at the same hotel while her photographer husband does a multiple-day photo shoot.
Both Bob and Charlotte are married people, but they are also very lonely people. And neither one of them can sleep.
The entire plot of LOST IN TRANSLATION is about these two people getting to know each other.
Bob, in his early-fifties, is old enough to be Charlotte's dad, but that doesn't matter here. It's not about age. It's about the place and time.
The two find each other, spend time with one another, and even sleep in the same bed together.
But while most filmmakers would have to include a physical love affair to round out a story like this writer-director Sophia Coppola doesn't. She only allows Bob and Charlotte to go so far.
If they go any further is all up to you, depending on how you perceive what takes place.
LOST IN TRANSLATION gives us Bill Murray's most understated performance, and he is superb. With just a smile, a frown, his body language, or just the look in his tired eyes, he lets us in on Bob's emotions without telling us a thing.
His Oscar nomination for the film is well justified. His eventual victory might be seen as some as a reward for his body of work, but don't let yourself believe that. He is that charming, that wonderful and that heartbreaking in LOST IN TRANSLATION.
The actress he's working with is named Scarlett Johansson. She was in THE HORSE WHISPERER a few years ago and you might also know her from GHOST WORLD. She is equally impressive, playing Charlotte as a deeply troubled, yet intelligent young woman who just can't make some of life's most important decisions. Unfortunately she didn't get an Academy Award nomination for her efforts, but she is just as good as whoever actually wins.
LOST IN TRANSLATION was my favourite film of 2003, so obviously I'm going to have nothing but praise for it. In an attempt to offer you a complete review, let me admit that this is a film that you might want to avoid if you are tired, feeling lonely or depressed. I could also see how the long, quiet scenes of isolation could bore a casual film viewer.
But if you are in the mood to meet two people who exist in the here and now, a here and now that is completely foreign, and then decide for yourself how their time together will end, then watch LOST IN TRANSLATION.
Personally, I've seen it over a dozen times and I can't wait to watch it again.
I'm not sure I'll ever watch UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN again, but I have to admit I'm glad I took the time to see this week's other major new release.
After a less than amicable divorce, a woman played by Diane Lane - from UNFAITHFUL and A WALK ON THE MOON is persuaded by her friend to take a tour of Italy. On a whim she buys a rundown villa and sets out to renovate it.
The scenery in UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN is breathtaking. You may never look at a countryside, people or food the same way again.
Now, if I may have a word with all of the gentlemen out there. Ladies, look away for a minute. Guys, this will make a great Valentine's Day gift! In fact, keep one handy in case you have a fight between now and then.
Okay ladies, I invite you to pay attention again so I can recap.
LOST IN TRANSLATION and UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN are available to rent and own right now.
COMING NEXT WEEK
INTOLERABLE CRUELTY - A woman falls in love with her ex-husband's divorce lawyer in the Coen Brothers film that isn't really a Coen Brothers film. (George Clooney, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Geoffrey Rush)
IN THE CUT- Meg Ryan is a woman gets involved in a dark relationship with a cop who may or may not be a killer. This film garnered the majority of it's theatrical hype because Ryan is naked in it. (Meg Ryan, Mark Ruffalo, Kevin Bacon)
SYLVIA - This is the tale about a true life love story between two influential artists. (Gwyneth Paltrow, Daniel Craig, Michael Gambon)
WONDERLAND - A murder investigation centers around porn star John Holmes. (Val Kilmer, Josh Lucas, Eric Bogosian)
That's this week's Couch Potato Report.
Enjoy the movies and I'll see you back here next week on The Couch!
It's a baby boy for singers Kreviazuk, Maida
TORONTO (CP) -- Singer Chantal Kreviazuk and her rocker husband Raine Maida have welcomed a baby boy to their family.
Rowan was born on Jan. 16, Sony Music Canada said in a statement.
The couple wed in December 1999. This is their first child.
Leading up to the baby's birth, the Toronto-based couple was busy working with Avril Lavigne on her second album. Kreviazuk has been wearing the hat of songwriter, and Raine that of producer.
INDY 4 Ready To Go
According to Variety, the script for INDIANA JONES IV is ready to go.
Writer Frank Darabont said, "I've finished my work, so now it's in the hands of God, or Spielberg and Lucas if you prefer." Filming is scheduled to begin this year with a 2005 debut.
TheRaider.Net got in contact with Lucasfilm and they had this response: "Currently, work is continuing on a final version of the screenplay for INDIANA JONES 4, and and once all parties have signed off on the script and schedules permit, shooting will begin. Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford and George Lucas are all returning for this fourth Indiana Jones adventure. At this time, we have no details about the plot or other actors".
Janet Jackson Apologizes for Bared Breast
NEW YORK - Janet Jackson apologized Monday for an incident in which one of her breasts was bared for a moment as she sang with Justin Timberlake during the Super Bowl halftime show Sunday night.
In a statement released Monday night, Jackson said it was a last-minute stunt that went awry.
"The decision to have a costume reveal at the end of my halftime show performance was made after final rehearsals. MTV was completely unaware of it," Jackson said. "It was not my intention that it go as far as it did. I apologize to anyone offended including the audience, MTV, CBS and the NFL."
Jackson's performance with Timberlake sparked a federal investigation and set new standards for raunch in an entertainment industry that seems to be setting new highs or lows every day.
"Every time an artist does something you think they sort of break the barrier, and it keeps getting more and more outrageous," said Tom Poleman, senior vice president of programming at New York City radio station Z100. "I think artists will keep on exploiting every opportunity they can get."
When Timberlake snatched off part of Jackson's bustier, revealing a breast clad only in a sun-shaped "nipple shield," the barrier was shattered before 89 million viewers.
Federal Communications Commission chief Michael Powell said in a statement, "Like millions of Americans, my family and I gathered around the television for a celebration. Instead, that celebration was tainted by a classless, crass and deplorable stunt." He promised an investigation, with potential fines of up to $27,500. If applied to each CBS station, the fine could reach the millions.
Despite the apparent premeditation the display coincided exactly with Timberlake singing, "I'm gonna have you naked by the end of this song" all involved denied that the peep show was planned, and Jackson and Timberlake both issued apologies.
"This was done completely without our knowledge," said Chris Ender, entertainment spokesman for CBS, which was deluged with angry calls. "It wasn't rehearsed. It wasn't discussed. It wasn't even hinted at. ... This is something we would have never approved. We are angry and embarrassed."
The NFL said it was "extremely disappointed." Several members of Congress, the Parents Television Council and the Traditional Values Coalition expressed outrage. Even halftime producer and CBS corporate Viacom cousin MTV the network that has given us "Jackass," Diana Ross fondling Lil Kim's pastied breast and Madonna kissing Britney Spears at last August's MTV Awards was contrite.
"Unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional," said MTV.
But was it?
Although Timberlake issued a statement shortly after the show blaming the debacle on a "wardrobe malfunction," in comments to the syndicated show "Access Hollywood" right after the incident, he didn't seem too sorry.
"Hey man, we love giving you all something to talk about," he said, laughing.
Jackson's official Web site was bombarded with angry postings. Her spokeswoman, Jennifer Holiner, said a red lace garment was supposed to remain when Timberlake tore off the outer covering.
Holiner said she was not sure whether Jackson's medieval-looking nipple decoration was meant to be seen, but added that the singer does wear such jewelry.
But the display still raised questions such as: If it was an accident, why did a choreographer promise "shocking moments" in an interview with the Web site MTV.com prior to the show? And how could it be a coincidence with the timing of the words to Timberlake's song "Rock Your Body"?
MTV Networks Group President Judy McGrath says the shocker was supposed to be Timberlake's appearance and not what he did afterward. McGrath was sitting in the audience and didn't see the flash, but said the pair "looked upset" afterward.
While she praised Jackson and Timberlake as artists, she said: "I don't appreciate someone who doesn't communicate what their plans are. I think it was a misguided move on their parts."
Whatever the intent of the stunt, it is not the first time Jackson has used her sexuality to grab an audience. Over the years, Jackson, 37, has evolved from a shy innocent who barely showed her ankles to a vamp who has bared almost all on regular basis.
A classic Rolling Stone magazine cover in 1993 showed a topless Jackson, her breasts covered only by the hands of her then-husband. At the time, she was promoting the album "Janet," which was described as her first time exploring sexuality in her music.
She has revisited that theme often. Promoting "The Velvet Rope" album in 1997, she appeared on the cover of Vibe wearing a nipple ring on the outside of her clothing. On her last album, "All for You," she appeared on the album's artwork nude, obscured only by a sheet. And in a recent HBO concert special, Jackson was seen running topless in a waterfall, though her breasts were barely visible.
And of course, Jackson has a new album, "Damita Jo," due out in the spring. The single, "Just a Little While," hit radio late last week. Already, the hype for the album promises a disc in which Jackson explores what else? her sexuality.
Asked whether he thought the strip tease was an accident, Z100's Poleman laughed.
"Are you kidding me?" he said.
Over-the-air TV channels cannot air "obscene" material at any time and cannot air "indecent" material between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The FCC (news - web sites) defines obscene as describing sexual conduct "in a patently offensive way" and lacking "serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value." Indecent material is not as offensive but still contains references to sex or excretions.
The FCC has come under fire from lawmakers and outside groups who say the agency hasn't done enough to shield the public from indecent programming. The Bush administration has endorsed a bill raising the $27,500 maximum fine to $275,000.
Over at Z100, whose audience tends to range from 12 to 34 years old, the radio station was playing Jackson's new single every two hours on Monday.
"All of our listeners, they saw right through it," Poleman said. "Nobody is buying for a second that it wasn't a setup, but at the same time, they're cool with it."
So were stores that sell nipple jewelry. In Greenwich Village, Cassioppia Tattoo and Piercing's owner Bianca Bubenik placed a newspaper photo of the singer and her exposed breast in a display case alongside nipple decorations similar to the one Jackson wore.
"She's coming out with a new CD soon," Bubenik said. "We were just discussing it this morning it's a publicity stunt."
And it has people talking at just the right time about Jackson until the next celebrity shocker.
Already this year, we've seen Britney's 55-hour marriage, Michael Jackson dancing at his child molestation arraignment and Steve Irwin frolicking with his newborn and a crocodile ... and it's only February.
"Who knows?" said Poleman. "It's up to their imagination."
U.S. Watchdog Investigates Jackson Breast Incident
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. regulators on Monday vowed to investigate whether indecency rules were broken during the broadcast of the Super Bowl halftime show when pop diva Janet Jackson's bodice was ripped to expose her right breast.
During the break in the National Football League's championship game Sunday in Houston, singer Justin Timberlake reached for Jackson as they performed a duet and tore off part of her black leather bustier, prompting widespread outrage.
The game garnered the best Super Bowl ratings in six years, and the incident provoked wall-to-wall coverage on cable news networks. President Bush was asked to comment but said he fell asleep before the halftime show.
U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell promised a "thorough and swift" investigation of the stunt aired during one of the year's most popular American television broadcasts, which draws a major worldwide audience.
"That celebration was tainted by a classless, crass and deplorable stunt," Powell said in a statement that was echoed by others on the panel. "Our nation's children, parents and citizens deserve better."
But despite a public outcry over the incident, police in Houston said no charges would be brought because prosecutors determined there was no criminal act. Said Police Chief Joe Breshears, "actions that may seem in poor taste do not necessarily rise to the level of violations of Texas law."
The CBS network, which broadcast the game, and MTV, which produced the football halftime bonanza, apologized for what they described as an unscripted moment. Both are units of media conglomerate Viacom Inc. .
Timberlake said the baring of Jackson's breast resulted from a "wardrobe malfunction," while Jackson herself said the disrobing went further than she had anticipated.
"The decision to have a costume reveal at the end of my half-time show performance was made after final rehearsals," she said in a statement issued by her publicist. "MTV was completely unaware of it. It was not my intention that it go as far as it did. I apologize to anyone offended."
Still, Jackson's label Virgin Records, capitalized on the attention, announcing that her new single "Just a Little While," was being delivered to U.S. radio outlets on Monday, ahead of schedule.
Virgin said track from her upcoming album, "Damita Jo," was released early due to a "firestorm of interest" fueled by unauthorized Internet downloads of the song.
'BROADCAST STANDARDS'
The episode comes as television networks find themselves on the defensive over the bounds of good taste, with the FCC taking a more aggressive stand against indecency and Congress threatening to sharply raise fines for such incidents.
"We attended all rehearsals throughout the week and there was no indication that any such thing would happen," CBS said. "The moment did not conform to CBS broadcast standards and we would like to apologize to anyone who was offended."
The NFL said it would not likely allow MTV to produce another halftime show.
Some questioned whether it was unplanned since MTV's Web site promised ahead of the show "shocking moments" and Timberlake sang the line "I'll get you naked by the end of this song," moments before the incident.
Complaints flooded into the FCC about Jackson and male singers grabbing their groin area while performing. The FCC could fine each station that aired the show up to $27,500 per violation as well as consider revoking broadcast licenses.
"Whether or not CBS executives did or did not know in advance is irrelevant, Viacom executives had the duty to know." said Parents Television Council President Brent Bozell who urged the FCC to fine each station the maximum.
The FCC already is considering action against General Electric Co.'s NBC network for an incident in which U2 rocker Bono uttered an expletive during a live broadcast.
Federal rules bar the broadcast of obscene material and limit the airing of indecent material that contains offensive sexual or excretory references to late night hours when children are unlikely to be watching.
Familiar Faces Return for 'Survivor: All-Stars'
Much of the fun of "Survivor" lies in watching the players adjust to unfamiliar situations.
This time, though, the competitors know the game all too well.
Eighteen participants from the past seven editions are back in "Survivor: All-Stars," which gets a post-Super Bowl premiere Sunday, Feb. 1, on CBS. Moving to its regular time slot on Thursday, Feb. 5, executive producer Mark Burnett's unscripted series allows returning host Jeff Probst to show how much he already knows about the contestants ... who include some of the winners of past "Survivor" rounds.
Ready to try again off the coast of Panama to "outwit, outplay (and) outlast" the others for the $1 million grand prize are: Rudy Boesch, Richard Hatch (the winner), Sue Hawk and Jenna Lewis of the original "Survivor: Pulau Tiga"; Amber Brkich, Alicia Calaway, Colby Donaldson, Jerri Manthey and Tina Wesson (the winner) of "Survivor: The Australian Outback"; Tom Buchanan, Lex van den Berghe and Ethan Zohn (the winner) of "Survivor: Africa"; Rob Mariano and Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien of "Survivor: Marquesas"; Shii Ann Huang of "Survivor: Thailand"; Rob Cesternino and Jenna Morasca (the winner) of "Survivor: The Amazon"; and Rupert Boneham of last fall's "Survivor: Pearl Islands."
"The way I cast this was really sophisticated: I took a yellow legal pad and started writing down names," producer Burnett muses. "I came up with 24 [players who we wanted back], then realized I couldn't have that many, so I started taking people off the list. Two people wouldn't or couldn't do it. Elisabeth [Filarski Hasselbeck, of 'Survivor: The Australian Outback'] was about to get her chance to be on ABC's 'The View,' and she made a great choice by not going away since she got that job. Colleen Haskell, from season one of 'Survivor,' said she had just had enough and didn't want to go through it again."
After whittling away four more potential returnees, Burnett had no doubts the remaining 18 would be up for weekly challenges and Tribal Councils again. "I was surprised I even got one 'no,' to tell the truth. When I'm casting, I look for people who primarily are seeking adventure, and who secondarily want the money and the fame. These are people who realize how lucky they were to spend six weeks on an island with no telephone, no newspapers and no TV, really living like Robinson Crusoe. It's very hard but very fun."
While "Survivor: Pearl Islands" gave the Emmy Award-winning franchise a fresh twist by adopting a pirate motif, Burnett feels "Survivor: All-Stars" also adds a new spin by pitting veterans of the contest against one another. "Every year," he says, "people ask me, 'Once you know the game, how can it be any good anymore?' Things like 'Joe Millionaire' flopped their second time out, but 'Survivor' has gotten better like a fine wine, and so has the psychological game. Players have learned it from watching the show on TV or, in the case of 'Survivor: All-Stars,' from both TV and their previous experience of playing the game."
The initial behavior of the "all-stars" confirmed that Burnett has done his "Survivor" job right. "On the first day," he reports, "they were all very nervous, not knowing what was going to happen and not trusting anyone else. They'd seen so many twists and turns in the previous seasons, they didn't know if the game was going to start while they were on the airplane flying to the location. They were literally twitching. [Jenna Lewis] wouldn't let go of her sleeping bag for one minute -- not even when she went to the bathroom -- in case the game started right then."
Probst's exchanges with the "all-stars" are guaranteed to be edgier than in his initial encounters with them, since he clearly adopted a sassier approach during "Survivor: Pearl Islands." Burnett promises "major, major fireworks this time, because Jeff's not putting up with any shenanigans. He's always been that way, but you just hadn't seen it on TV. It took a while for some people to get comfortable with the idea that Jeff was entitled to have an opinion, as opposed to being an impartial newsman type, and I pushed and pushed until they allowed us to show that."
Also the originator of the "Eco-Challenge" competition, the England-born Burnett is involved as well with "The Apprentice," NBC's unscripted series that stars Donald Trump. Later this year, Burnett will launch a second season of "The Restaurant" on NBC, and he also has the Las Vegas-set "The Casino" in the works for Fox. However, none of those shows has gotten to inherit a traditionally huge Super Bowl audience like "Survivor" has.
"I feel very fortunate that [CBS programming chief] Leslie Moonves gave me that launching pad," Burnett says, "and I hope I've earned it with the last seven 'Survivors.' I did cast this newest one off the top of my head, but if you've watched the show, all your favorite people are back."
REAL JEOPARDY
TV quizmeister Alex Trebek managed to escape injury Friday after he fell asleep at the wheel of his pickup truck and went airborne. The Jeopardy! was making his way to his farm in central California.
'You Got Served' Dances to Box Office Win
LOS ANGELES - Recently split teen R&B band B2K put the moves on the box office as its dance flick "You Got Served" debuted at No. 1 with $16 million.
The other new wide releases debuted weakly over Super Bowl weekend, typically a slow time at theaters as movie-goers stay home Sunday for the big game.
"The Perfect Score," featuring Scarlett Johansson and Erika Christensen as part of a group of teens swiping the SAT exam, was No. 5 with $5 million, averaging an anemic $2,264 in 2,208 theaters.
Owen Wilson's comic crime caper "The Big Bounce" bombed with $3.3 million, finishing at No. 12 and averaging just $1,439 in 2,304 cinemas.
All three movies received harsh reviews, yet "You Got Served" managed to pull in the teen crowd on the strength of B2K's popularity. Playing in 1,933 theaters, "You Got Served" averaged a healthy $8,277.
The movie exceeded the box-office expectations of Sony, whose Screen Gems banner released "You Got Served."
"It's one of those movies that flies beneath the radar, then suddenly, it's at No. 1," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "It just shows when you go after that teen audience, it's an audience that definitely has power."
The movie stars Omari "Omarion" Grandberry who left for a solo career a month ago and B2K members Jarell "J-Boog" Houston, DeMario "Raz-B" Thornton and Dreux "Lil' Fizz" Frederic as part of a Los Angeles street-dance crew.
Many of last week's key Academy Awards nominees got a boost at the box office as audiences began catching up with contenders before the Feb. 29 Oscar ceremony.
"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," the leader with 11 nominations and the front-runner for best picture, held up strongly with $5.3 million, raising its domestic total to $345.3 million.
That makes it the top-grossing installment of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, lifting it past the $341.7 million domestic haul of 2002's "The Two Towers." "Return of the King" also has passed "Finding Nemo" ($339.7 million) to become the highest-grossing movie released in 2003.
Best-picture nominee "Mystic River," which went back into wide release the previous weekend, added a few dozen more theaters and took in $4.4 million, pushing its total to $64.9 million.
Jeff Goldstein, general sales manager for "Mystic River" distributor Warner Bros., said the movie has padded its take by $9.5 million since it widened to more theaters in anticipation of the Oscars. The studio figures the awards run could boost the film's take by as much as $20 million, he said.
"It's been out there for 17 weeks with all the critical acclaim, but now with the Oscars, people feel they've missed something, so rather than waiting for it on home video, they're going out to see it now," Goldstein said.
Two other best-picture nominees, "Lost in Translation" and "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," expanded back into wider release.
"Lost in Translation," which comes out on video Tuesday, took in $2.2 million, raising its gross to $37.5 million. "Master and Commander" added $2.3 million to push its total to $87.8 million.
The fifth best-picture contender, "Seabiscuit," already is out on video.
"Monster," which scored a best-actress nomination for Charlize Theron, went into its widest release yet, doubling its theater count to 668 and collecting $3.1 million to lift its total to $10.6 million.
Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "You Got Served," $16 million.
2. "Along Came Polly," $10.1 million.
3. "The Butterfly Effect," $9.95 million.
4. "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," $5.3 million.
5. "The Perfect Score," $5 million.
6. "Big Fish," $4.6 million.
7. "Cold Mountain," $4.53 million.
8. "Win a Date With Tad Hamilton!", $4.5 million
9. "Mystic River," $4.4 million.
10. "Cheaper by the Dozen," $4.1 million.
CBS Apologizes for Jackson's Exposure
NEW YORK - CBS apologized on Sunday for an unexpectedly R-rated end to its Super Bowl halftime show, when singer Justin Timberlake tore off part of Janet Jackson's top, exposing her breast.
"CBS deeply regrets the incident," spokeswoman Leslie Anne Wade said after the network received several calls about the show.
The two singers were performing a flirtatious duet to end the halftime show, and at the song's finish, Timberlake reached across Jackson's leather gladiator outfit and pulled off the covering to her right breast.
The network quickly cut away from the shot, and did not mention the incident on the air.
Timberlake said he did not intend to expose Jackson's breast.
"I am sorry that anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime performance of the Super Bowl," Timberlake said in a statement. "It was not intentional and is regrettable."
Wade said CBS officials attended rehearsals of the halftime show all week, "and there was no indication any such thing would happen. The moment did not conform to CBS' broadcast standards and we would like to apologize to anyone who was offended."
The Super Bowl halftime show, which also featured P. Diddy, Nelly and Kid Rock, was produced by MTV, CBS' corporate cousin in Viacom.
"We were extremely disappointed by elements of the MTV-produced halftime show," Joe Browne, NFL executive vice president, said. "They were totally inconsistent with assurances our office was given about the content of the show.
"It's unlikely that MTV will produce another Super Bowl halftime."
MTV issued a contrite statement, saying the incident was "unrehearsed, unplanned, completely unintentional."
Miramax's Weinstein Blames Oscar Snub on Timing
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Miramax Films co-chairman Harvey Weinstein was quoted on Sunday as blaming the timing of the release of "Cold Mountain" for the film's failure to win an Oscar nomination in the best picture category.
In interviews with Time and Newsweek, Weinstein said he opened the highly acclaimed Civil War epic starring Nicole Kidman and Jude Law at Christmas time so that Oscar nominations would fuel box office sales.
"With the early (Oscar voting) this year, we fell short. There's a lot to do for Academy members and I don't know how many members we got to. We just plain ran out of people who had seen this movie," Weinstein told Time Magazine, which hits newsstands on Feb. 2.
But "Cold Mountain" did win seven other Oscar nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences including best actor for Jude Law and best supporting actress for Renee Zellweger.
It is the first time in 12 years that Walt Disney Co.'s Miramax does not have a best picture nominee at the Oscars but the studio still racked up the most nominations of any studio -- 15 -- for the third year in a row.
Citing the fact that the Oscars will be held in February this year instead of March, Weinstein told Newsweek, "I think the whole positioning of movies has changed because of this." Other than "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," every best-picture nominee was released prior to December, he said.
As a result, Weinstein said Miramax would move up the release of J.M. Barrie's "Neverland" starring Johnny Depp to October and would aim to release Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator" in November instead of late December.
Weinstein also told Time that he will be directing his own film "pretty soon, probably the fall." He said the script is finished and the film will be produced by Martin Scorsese and Anthony Minghella, who directed "Cold Mountain."
Pats Win Super Bowl on Another Late Kick
HOUSTON - Once again, the New England Patriots have Adam Vinatieri's foot to thank for a Super Bowl victory. Vinatieri gave New England its second NFL championship in three seasons with a 41-yard field goal with 4 seconds left for a thrilling 32-29 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday night.
Vinatieri earlier missed a field goal and had another one blocked. But as he did in 2002 when he kicked the winning field goal to beat St. Louis on the final play of the Super Bowl, he proved he is perhaps the NFL's best clutch kicker.
For a contest that was scoreless for a record 27 minutes, this game was one of the all-time offensive shows between two of the NFL's best defenses.
There were 37 points scored in the fourth quarter alone and Tom Brady, who led New England on its winning drive, was 32-of-48 for 354 yards and three touchdowns.
Brady was voted the game's MVP for the second time in three seasons, although he did throw an interception that prevented New England from winning more easily.
"There have been some heart attacks, but they've come out on top," said coach Bill Belichick, whose team won its 15th straight game.
Carolina had tied the game at 29 with its third fourth-quarter TD on a 12-yard pass from Jake Delhomme to Ricky Proehl with 1:08 left. Then John Kasay kicked the ball out of bounds to give New England field position at its own 40.
Brady moved the Patriots 37 yards in six plays, hitting Deion Branch to set up Vinatieri's winning kick.
"I looked up and it was going right down the middle," he said.
The kick prevented the Super Bowl from going into overtime for the first time ever.
The Patriots led 14-10 at the half, and after a scoreless third quarter, they made it 21-10 on the second play of the fourth on a 2-yard run by Antowain Smith. It capped an eight-play, 71-yard drive featuring a 33-yard pass from Brady to tight end Daniel Graham.
Carolina wasn't about to give up, though, scoring on DeShaun Foster's 33-yard run on a six-play, 81-yard drive. But the 2-point conversion pass was behind Muhsin Muhammad and it was 21-16. The decision to go for 2 would come back to haunt coach John Fox.
The Patriots seemed ready to put the game away when they got the ball back, but Brady made a rare mistake throwing an off-balance pass that Reggie Howard intercepted in the end zone.
Two plays later, Delhomme found Muhammad behind the New England defense for an 85-yard score, the longest play from scrimmage in Super Bowl history, to give the Panthers a 22-21 lead with 6:53 left. Fox again went for the 2-point conversion and failed.
Brady came back with the TD pass to linebacker Mike Vrabel with 2:51 remaining, and Kevin Faulk ran in for the 2-point conversion to give New England a 29-22 lead.
About two minutes later, Delhomme and Proehl hooked up to tie the game, setting up Vinatieri's heroics.
The game was scoreless longer than any previous Super Bowl nearly 27 minutes.
Then the teams got going 24 points in the final 3:05 of the first half that left the Patriots with a 14-10 lead.
New England dominated that dormant period and finally took a 7-0 lead on the first of two 5-yard TD passes by Brady. The quarterback found Branch after Vrabel had sacked Delhomme, forcing a fumble and giving New England the ball at the Carolina 20.
At that point, New England had outgained Carolina 125 yards to minus-7, and Delhomme was 1-of-9 for 1 yard and had been sacked three times.
But the Patriots' touchdown seemed to wake up the Panthers. Delhomme led Carolina on a 95-yard drive, tied for second longest in Super Bowl history, capping it with a 39-yard TD pass to Steve Smith, who beat Tyrone Poole in single coverage. That tied it at 7-7 with 1:14 left in the half.
Brady came right back, hitting Branch for 52 yards behind Ricky Manning Jr. to set up the second 5-yard TD pass, this time to Givens.
Carolina wasn't finished, either.
Vinatieri squibbed the kickoff and Kris Mangum returned it 12 yards to his own 47. With 12 seconds and a timeout left, the Panthers crossed up the Patriots by handing the ball to Stephen Davis, who rushed 21 yards to the New England 32.
After a timeout, Kasay kicked a 50-yard field goal to close the half.
New England looked as if it might get off to a quick start, shutting down the Panthers on their first possession, then moving to the Carolina 13 after Troy Brown's 28-yard punt return.
But Vinatieri's 31-yard field-goal attempt was wide right. It was only the third time he had missed indoors in 34 attempts, all of them in Houston.
The Patriots continued to keep the Panthers backed up.
Carolina got its first first down with just over 2 minutes left in the first quarter on a holding penalty on New England's Ty Law but had to punt three plays later. Carolina's defense held up its end Will Witherspoon ended another Patriots threat by dumping Brown for a 10-yard loss on a reverse to take New England out of field-goal range.
With just under 9 minutes left in the second quarter, the Patriots reached the Carolina 38. Brady's third-down sneak was barely stopped, then Antowain Smith barely got the 6 inches on fourth down, a spot that was upheld on replay.
The Patriots reached the 18, but Vinatieri's 36-yard attempt was blocked by Shane Burton.
Three plays later, Vrabel stripped Delhomme and Richard Seymour recovered.
On third-and-7, Brady, the self-described "slowest quarterback in the league," scrambled up the middle to the 5. On the next play, he found Branch in the end zone for the game's first score.
Its Time To Discuss Star Wars Again.
The Rebel Scum fan website is reporting that in recent presentations at London's Toy Fair event, Lucasfilm marketing partner TLC Marketing revealed once again that Lucasfilm plans to release Episodes 4, 5 and 6 on DVD format in October or November of 2004. This is just one more piece in a puzzle that's now growing very large and surprisingly clear. Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox aren't commenting on the rumors about the DVD release of the original trilogy, but our industry sources are just giving us too much independent confirmation that the release is in the works. We feel very confident now that it's the real deal - that the Star Wars films ARE finally coming to DVD later in 2004.
Just to update you, we've heard a variety of rumors in terms of what might be included on the set, but the rumours seem to indicate that they'll be released as a 4-disc set, with 3 movie discs (1 for each film) and a disc of bonus materials, much like last year's Indiana Jones Trilogy DVD release.
Lucas has repeatedly said not to expect the original versions of the films on DVD, so we're betting on the much-rumored "Archive Editions", which would basically be the Special Editions released in the 1990s, only with further tweaks, changes, enhancements and additions to bring them more into line with the new prequels. Still, the list of specific changes that's been circulating around the Net for a few months reads more like a fanboy wishlist, so it should probably be considered dubious at best. I suspect we won't know anything more until the titles are officially announced.
Speaking of that, IF this DVD release is really happening (and keep in mind that for all our sources - and the widespread information being reported around the Net - this is STILL only a rumor), Lucasfilm would probably want to announce the release sooner rather than later, to give retailers and marketing partners enough time to gear up for it. It would easily be the biggest DVD release of 2004, and arguably one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) releases of all time for the format. By comparison, Lucasfilm announced the November 4th, 2003 DVD release of the Indiana Jones Trilogy on May 5th of last year (the street date was later moved up to October 21st). That's 6 months of lead time. If Lucasfilm holds true to that with the announcement of Star Wars, assuming a September-November window (has as been rumored), that would mean that we could reasonably expect the official announcement sometime between now and May.
Rent Control
The stream of Oscar hopefuls continues with the latest contender to get a DVD announcement, the dark drama The House and Sand and Fog.
DreamWorks Home Entertainment will give this one a rather speedy trip to video, debuting the Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connelly starrer on March 30th, only a little more than three months since its theatrical bow.
Presented in anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1, extras include an audio tracks. Bonus materials include an audio commentary by director Vadim Perelman, novelist Andre Dubus III and Kingsley, five deleted scenes, Oscar nominee Shoreh Aghdashloo's audition tape, a featurette and trailers.