The Couch Potato Report - January 31st, 2009

This week The Couch Potato Report peels a super line-up of films, unfortunately some are less than stellar, and Groundhog Day.

I actually have nine films for you this week on this super-sized edition of The Report, but unfortunately, several of them are not really worthy of your time…but some of there are good rentals, so let's get to the nine, starting with three films that were mostly filmed in Canada.

Up first is CLOSING THE RING which was filmed in and around Dundas and Port Perry, Ontario, and in the Toronto Film Studios.

CLOSING THE RING is primarily the story of love...love lost and unrequited love, and it is told in both the present day and through flashbacks.

It is also about a young man who is searching for the rightful owner of a gold ring that he found buried deep in a mountainside.

CLOSING THE RING has a great cast that includes Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Plummer, Mischa Barton, Neve Campbell and Pete Postlethwaite, but it moves at too slow a pace, and even though I did sort of like it...I never once felt emotionally involved.

However, if you loved THE NOTEBOOK, with Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams...then you may really enjoy this a sthe two do share more than a few similarities.

CLOSING THE RING isn't great, but there will be people who love it!

There will also be those who love the made-in-Toronto and Hamilton action film MAX PAYNE, based on the video game of the same name.

As of last March the Max Payne gaming franchise has sold over 7 million copies, and I suspect this film will be rented by fan boys at least that many times.

Mark Wahlberg stars in this film as a DEA agent in New York City who is trying to find out who murdered his family. He teams up with an assassin out to avenge her sister's death and the duo are hunted by the police, the mob, and that great fallback movie cliche "a ruthless corporation."

Mila Kunis from FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL plays the assassin and the beautiful newest Bond girl Olga Kurylenko is the murdered sister, so the cast is good...and I guess I would also use that word to describe this film too...good.

It is what it is.

Those who love action/revenge films will love it, own it, and watch it again and again...but most people will just walk past it on the shelf.

So, to surmise...if you enjoy stylistic action films based on video games, then MAY PAYNE is for you!!

If you don't, then maybe you will enjoy a comedy that may be implausible, but still has some great moments.

That comedy is THE ROCKER!

The director of THE FULL MONTY and Rainn Wilson, who plays Dwight Schrute on the American version of THE OFFICE are the two biggest names connected to this made in Toronto film.

Wilson is Robert 'Fish' Fishman, a dedicated and passionate drummer who gets kicked out of an eighties heavy metal hair band, just before the group goes on to worldwide success and glory.

And he isn't too happy about that.

Twenty years later, while he is living in his sister's attic, his teenage nephew asks him to play drums in his band...at the prom...and the aging rocker gets a second chance at success!!

THE ROCKER has some great, almost all original music, some great young stars, and more than a few laughs...a few even huge out loud ones. I didn't love it, but I liked it and I will watch it again some day...this one is a good rental.

Oh, and watch closely in the scene at the bus stop as it features a cameo from a man who knows what it is like to be kicked out of a band who then go on to worldwide fame and acclaim.

None other than Pete Best, who was kicked out of The Beatles, is the man on the bench reading Rolling Stone magazine...and there is also a great interview with him in the discs' Special Features.

Let's move now from the films made in Canada, to a man we all consider a Canadian, Keifer Sutherland stars in the wannabe suspence thriller MIRRORS.

Now I love the premise of this film - something evil gets trapped inside some mirrors and can't be avoided once you are cursed by looking into those mirrors and you can't escape them because mirrors are everywhere!!!

And I am, and will always be, a huge fan of Keifer Sutherland!! From DARK CITY tO STAND BY ME and THE LOST BOYS he has played many different and unique rolls over the years...but in this movie, he is just playing a variation of Jack Bauer, the character he plays on the TV show 24.

The mannerisms are all the same, the speech patters are all the same, and even the yelling and way he holds a gun are the same....so, sadly, even with a star and supporting cast I like - one that also incudes Amy Smart who was the co-star of the made-in-Saskatchewan film JUST FRIENDS - and a premise I think is great...MIRRORS isn't worthy of your time.

There is very little suspence, if any at all, the basic story itself was done better in the movie THE RING and most of the special effects are awful!

I admit that I wanted to know how it ended, but I didn't care. MIRRORS, the film, like mirrors, the mirrors, will be available in almost every store you go in to, but don't stop to look.

The reflection just isn't worth it.

Up next this week is the police drama PRIDE & GLORY, about a multi-generational family of New York City Police officers.

It stars Edward Norton and Colin Farrell, two great actors, but the film offers no suspence at all, and it is snoreing - that unique combination between a snore and utterly boring!!

Norton's cop has to investigate a police scandal that may or may not involve his brother in law, and may also tarnish the family's legacy and the entire NYPD....but you won't care.

PRIDE & GLORY is 2 hours and 10 minutes long, and since I have seen it all, let me be the only one who suffers!! Skip this one!!!

And most people should also skip THE EXPRESS...even though it is a story that we should all know.

Ernest Davis was an American football running back and the first African-American athlete to win the Heisman Trophy.

Davis wore number 44 and played college ball for Syracuse University before being drafted by the Washington Redskins, and then traded to the Cleveland Browns in December of 1961.

Tragically, he never played a professional game as he was diagnosed with leukemia in 1962.

His story is tragic, but it is also an incredibly inspiring one!

A story that had really only been told before in Robert C. Gallagher's book "Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express, the Story of a Heisman Trophy Winner".

The book was the basis for the film, and the book is the real story of Ernie Davis' legacy.

The movie version of THE EXPRESS may make for good "family viewing", but this book explains the TRUE story of just how brave, unselfish and caring Davis was, right up until his death.

THE EXPRESS is another cliche filled Hollywood sports movie, and even though it's intentions are good - telling the story of Ernie Davis...for me it was a huge disappointment. If you absolutely NEED to watch some football this weekend, well, luckily for you the Super Bowl is tomorrow!

But, if you would like to know more about a great human being...skip this film, and search out Robert C. Gallagher's book "Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express, the Story of a Heisman Trophy Winner".

Up next, how about a film with an Academy Award nominee in it? Penélope Cruz received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her work in Woody Allen's fabulous VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA.

Cruz plays the less-than-stable ex-wife of Javier Bardem, the Oscar winner from last year's NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN.

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA also stars Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall as two friends who travel to Spain on a summer holiday.

They both become enamored with Bardem's painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture.

I mentioned that VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA is a Woody Allen film, but it is more like MATCH POINT than ANNIE HALL or any of the director's earlier work.

It isn't an exceptional movie, but the cast is great, the story interesting, and I liked it a lot! It's a great little film!!

CITY OF EMBER, as we move along on this super-sized edition of The Couch Potato Report, is not a film I liked, and it is not a great little film...well, as far as I am concerned...I am sure there are people who enjoyed the book that it is based on who will like it...but I am not one of those people.

CITY OF EMBER is the story of the people who live in an underground city...named Ember. The original plan was for them to live there for 200 years, and with that time-frame long since past, the city and it's power generator are starting to fail.

Two teenagers stumble upon information that may lead them, and the rest of the residents back above ground...and the film is primarily about their efforts.

Now, there are some good scenes in CITY OF EMBER, and the sets are quite impressive, but this isn't a film for everyone. If you liked the book, or are searching for a film for the whole family, then this might be a good rental...but otherwise skip it.

Personally, I only watched it because Bill Murray was one of the co-stars, and I love Bill Murray...but luckily this wasn't the only new release of a Murray Movie this week!!

His classic film GROUNDHOG DAY is now available on Blu-ray!!!

The BLU-RAY BEACON shines on the great GROUNDHOG DAY this week, this is the 1993 film where Murray plays a weatherman who finds himself living the same day over and over again.

In addition to the film itself, which is still laugh out loud funny, this new Blu-ray also features a Pop-Up Trivia Track that offers trivia and insight on the production and the film.

I love GROUNDHOG DAY, and I am glad that I now have it on Blu-ray as it looks and sounds terrific!!

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA, THE EXPRESS, MIRRORS, THE ROCKER and MAX PAYNE are all also available now on Blu-ray and DVD.

And CITY OF EMBER, PRIDE & GLORY and CLOSING THE RING are all available now on DVD.

Coming up on the next Couch Potato Report

The Canadian film PASSCHENDAELE debuts on DVD and I will recommend it, even though I don't like the film.

I will also talk about ZACK & MIRI MAKE A PORNO, NICK AND NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST, I'll commemorate BLACK HISTORY MONTH with the documentary BLACK MAGIC, and the legendary THE SECRET POLICEMAN'S BALLS debuts in a 3 DVD Box Set featuring music and comedy legends, like the members of Monty Python.

I'm Dan Reynish. I'll have more on those, and some other releases, in seven days.

For now, that's this week's SUPER-SIZED COUCH POTATO REPORT.

Enjoy the movies and I'll see you back here next time on The Couch!

‘Bart’ voice promotes Scientology

NEW YORK — Bart Simpson is known for prank calls, but Nancy Cartwright, who provides Bart’s voice on “The Simpsons,” has been heard this week in a phone message using the voice of the cartoon fourth-grader to promote Scientology.

Cartwright, long a member of the church, recorded her 60-second robocall to boost attendance at a Scientology event scheduled for Saturday.

Although she identifies herself, much of the spiel is delivered in Bart’s voice, wrapping up with, “See you there, man!”

The Fox network would not comment, but “Simpsons” executive producer Al Jean said the message wasn’t authorized by the show, which has never “endorsed any religion, philosophy or system of beliefs any more profound than Butterfinger bars.”

Springsteen calls Wal-Mart deal a mistake

NEW YORK – The Boss is owning up to a mistake.

In an interview with The New York Times, Bruce Springsteen says he shouldn't have made a deal with Wal-Mart. This month, the store started exclusively selling a Springsteen greatest-hits CD.

Some fans were critical because Springsteen has been a longtime supporter of worker's rights, and Wal-Mart has faced criticism for its labor practices. Springsteen's team didn't vet the issue as closely as it should have, and that he "dropped the ball on it," he told the Times for a story to be published in Sunday editions and previewed on its Web site.

Springsteen went on to say: "It was a mistake. Our batting average is usually very good, but we missed that one. Fans will call you on that stuff, as it should be."

"Millions of Springsteen fans have counted on Wal-Mart over the years to deliver his music into their lives, and we it will continue to offer those fans this 'Greatest Hits' exclusive and his other popular albums at unbeatable prices," Wal-Mart said in a statement, adding: "We are proud of the good jobs, benefits and career opportunities we provide to more than 1.4 million U.S. associates who choose to work at Wal-Mart and serve our customers every day."

Springsteen released his new CD "Working on a Dream" this week and is performing the halftime show at the Super Bowl.

Springsteen promises high-energy halftime show

TAMPA, Fla. – Anybody who thinks it's tough playing the halftime show at the Super Bowl with 150 million people watching should try serenading Barack Obama with the majestic granite visage of Abraham Lincoln staring over your shoulder.

Bruce Springsteen did.

"It kind of was a good warm-up for this," Springsteen joked Thursday after arriving in Tampa with the E Street Band. "That takes some of the pressure off, you know."

In his first news conference in more than 20 years, The Boss was as cool as ever.

Wearing black jeans, a black crewneck sweater and black boots, Springsteen and his band charmed a standing-room-only crowd by joking about his lack of football knowledge, that the group is still together — and its members still alive — and the tremendous year he's having personally and professionally.

"Is there anybody from New Jersey? Don't give them the microphone!" the Garden State native called out before taking questions in his first large forum since a 1987 news conference for Amnesty International.

But Springsteen has reason to celebrate.

His song, "The Wrestler," from the movie of the same name, won a Golden Globe earlier this month, and he followed it with a performance at the National Mall to honor Obama two days before the inauguration. Springsteen was a huge Obama booster during the campaign.

His latest CD, "Working on a Dream," was released Tuesday, and he'll kick off a world tour in San Jose, Calif., on April 1.

"Good times," the 59-year-old rocker smiled. "You just have years where things happen, or years where it's quieter. But what's special for me right now is I really believe our band is going through sort of a golden age. We've made three of what I think are some of our best records in a row, which is really one of the reasons we're here. And the band, on the last tour, played the best it's ever played.

"We've been on the road awhile. We're some old soldiers. But the band is still really burning, and I really want people to know about the record. Good year, you know? It's been great."

So now the band plays Sunday's halftime show of the Super Bowl, which is enjoying a run of booking major talent for the roughly 15-minute slot before the largest television event in the nation. Acts have recently included the Rolling Stones, U2, Paul McCartney, Prince and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

The NFL said last year's halftime show with Petty was watched by more than 148 million viewers in the U.S.

Springsteen, for years, had turned down invitations to play the Super Bowl, unsure of the legitimacy of such a performance. After all, for many years the halftime show was made up of local and college marching bands and drill teams.

But Springsteen said the opportunity to promote the album, and the upgraded production team that has given the invitation a prestige factor, changed his mind.

"Initially, it was sort of a novelty and so it didn't quite feel right," he explained. "But it was just like, this is the year. ... Bands of our generation, you can sort of be seen on a stage like this or, like, not seen. There's not a lot of middle places. It is a tremendous venue."

The performance is expected to be a teaser for the upcoming tour, and scores of Las Vegas sports books are taking bets on the set list. Asked who ultimately decides what songs will be played, Springsteen staked his claim as leader of the band.

"I'm the Boss! The Boss decides what we play!" he yelled. "Nobody else decides. People suggest. Hint. Beg. Cajole. But I decide."

Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward said he was looking forward to the performance, and even had a song request.

"I love Bruce. I hope he plays 'Born in the USA.' He has a great voice when he says, 'Boorrrn,' " Ward said. "He has a lot of swagger about himself. He's very confident. When he's up there performing, it's all about him."

Springsteen only offered one slight teaser, vowing to pack the bands' usual emotion and energy into their brief performance.

"We want it to be a 12-minute party," he said. "The idea of the show is, you are going to the Meadowlands, you get lost on the way. You are watching your clock, `Damn, the show is starting right now.' You stop at a bar to get some directions, and the bar gets held up while you are there. So that takes another 45 minutes to get out of there.

"You come back and you miss your exit on the turnpike, and you are driving to get back around. And so you make it into the stadium 2 hours and 48 minutes into the show — that's what you are going to see: the last 12 minutes."

U.S. Wal-Marts want 'Zack and Miri' DVD cover without word 'porno': Kevin Smith

TORONTO - There's new controversy over the title of filmmaker Kevin Smith's saucy comedy, "Zack and Miri Make a Porno."

Last fall, some ads for the film were rejected south of the border because of the word "porno." Now, Smith says Wal-Mart stores in the U.S. have asked that the cover of the DVD, set to hit shelves Tuesday, omit the word too.

"I'm just so shocked that the word 'porno' meant that much to people in terms of, like, they found it insanely offensive and don't want to see it on display," the outspoken writer-director said Thursday in an interview from Los Angeles.

Smith said Weinstein Co., which released the film Oct. 31, has complied with Wal-Mart's request and created new DVD covers for the retailer, but the director worries that some unsuspecting customers will be fooled when they see the shortened title.

"Some Wal-Mart-er could buy it and think: 'Oh, Zack and Miri, looks lovely,' and pop it in and there's ... some pretty graphic stuff," said the indie icon, known for such slacker hits as "Clerks," "Chasing Amy," "Dogma" and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back."

"I mean, at least with the word 'porno' in the title, you can kind of give people a warning about what they're in for."

Wal-Mart did not immediately respond to calls for comment Thursday.

As for the DVD release in Canada, Smith said retailers here will sell the cover with the full title.

"Zack and Miri Make a Porno" stars Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks as roommates who shoot an adult flick to make quick cash. While the film does include nudity, vulgar content and colourful language, it is not a porno but rather a romantic comedy, said Smith.

Before the film hit the big screen, the Motion Picture Association of America gave it its most restrictive rating - NC-17, which means no one under that age is admitted. After several appeals from Smith, the organization lowered the rating to "R," which allows under-17 viewers in if they're accompanied by a parent or adult over 21.

In Canada, most provinces gave it an 18A rating, in which viewers under that age can only see the film if accompanied by an adult.

The MPAA also rejected some "Zack and Miri" ads, deeming them "highly sexually suggestive," so Weinstein Co. created new posters that had stick figures representing the actors.

Smith said he was initially "flabbergasted" about the uproar over the word "porno" but now: "I've thrown up my hands at the whole thing."

He also said he's not worried that the continuing controversy will bring down his DVD sales, noting the film has actually led to new opportunities for him.

"'Zack and Miri' did some weird things for my career in as much as I guess lots of folks at different studios finally considered it a like, movie-enough movie, where they could be like, 'Hey, would you like to direct movies for us?"' said Smith, who made his first film, "Clerks," for just US$27,575 in his home state of New Jersey.

With new opportunities at his door, Smith said he's largely abandoned what he calls the "Askewniverse" - a comical world with recurring characters including misfits Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith).

"I just can't imagine bringing Jay and Silent Bob back, man," said Smith, whose character was a mute who always wore a baseball cap, black trench coat and long hair.

"I'm 38 now, I'll be 39 in August. I cannot imagine spinning a backwards baseball cap and leaning against a convenience store wall. Those characters would just stop being cute - they'd become depressing, you know? Old, fat (guy) leaning outside a convenience store with another dude and they're selling drugs to teenagers?

"The charm would be gone, I think. But Dante and Randal (from 'Clerks II') I think could still be viable ... but beyond that it just feels like the Askewniverse is kind of done. 'Clerks II' was a really nice way to close it up."

Smith will be in Toronto next week for two speaking engagements at Roy Thomson Hall, and for Q&A sessions at the Kevin Smith Film Festival.

Wood Blasts Press And Rourke Over Romance Reports

Evan Rachel Wood has lashed out at her The Wrestler co-star Mickey Rourke for fuelling reports the pair is dating. The young actress, who plays Rourke's daughter in the film, admits she feels "disrespected" by press reports she and the actor are an item - and she's partly blaming him for the rumours.

The couple reportedly locked lips at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, fuelling romance rumours - and the actress is sick of all the speculation.

In a statement, she writes, "I’m upset because I feel disrespected by the press and by Mr. Rourke. Just because I’m single doesn’t mean that you can take advantage of me. It’s unfair that the performances (in the film) might suffer because of all of these distractions."

And Wood, who recently split from shock rocker Marilyn Manson, insists she isn't even attracted to her The Wrestler co-star: "He's too old for me. Nothing ever happened and nothing ever will."

What's up with Lost's Nestor Carbonell not aging? And the 'guyliner'?

Nestor Carbonell—who is again playing the mysterious, apparently ageless Richard Alpert in the fifth season of ABC's Lost—told SCI FI Wire that he understands if viewers are a little disoriented by the show's time-jumping storyline this year: So is he.

"I'm a little dizzy," Carbonell admitted in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. "Initially, it took me, in the first episode, [a moment to figure out] 'OK, when am I exactly? Where are we, and when am I?' But, no, it didn't take long. I think the viewers, after this episode [that aired Jan. 28], the show very much settles down, and you get the gist of the season, that you're going to be dealing with some elements of time travel."

Carbonell—who was initially hired in the third season for only a quick guest spot—will instead be appearing in the rest of season five and the balance of the show, which is set to wrap in 2010, executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse told reporters at this month's Television Critics Association winter press tour in Universal City, Calif.

Carbonell spoke with SCI FI Wire to promote the DVD release of the slasher film Killer Movie. The following Q&A features edited excerpts from that interview. Lost airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

It must be a great deal to be so sought after by the producers that they hire you for the rest of the show.

Carbonell: Oh, it was great, and I never know what's going to happen. It just started out as an audition for a guest spot, third season. Even though I was told it was possibly recurring, they called me about six episodes after I shot that, kind of out of the blue for me, and told me they wanted me to go to the island for about five episodes. The role grew from there. You just never know, but, yes, it was great. It was great that they were so enthusiastic. I'm thrilled. I'm thrilled to be a part of it. ...

It appears that Alpert is ageless. Does it affect the way you play him?

Carbonell: I'm not playing him as if he's 100 years old or several hundred years old. It's very clear, obviously, that the guy doesn't age, but I think there is something to being a guy who's been around, a guy with some wisdom, a shrewd man who's seen a lot in his times here on this island and abroad. I hope that carries in some way into the character. ...

At the TV Critics Association press tour, some reporters asked if you wore eyeliner, which Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse denied. What do you think of this?

Carbonell: My brother sent me this link about the TCA, where you guys were at. Someone had asked about whether I was wearing eyeliner. I think Carlton came to my defense, and he said, "He's 100 percent sans makeup" or something like that. I could see why some people would think I have eyeliner on because [my eyelashes] are dark. Especially the bottom row, they're pretty dark. I've been dealing with it since I was a little kid, and so to me it's very funny when it comes up, especially at TCA. My brother told me to look online and sort of Google something about that, and my name came up as a couple things. One of them was Maybelline Man. I've been dubbed by some people as Guyliner. It's very amusing.

Have any of your Dark Knight friends called you to be their plus-one for the Oscars? [Carbonell appeared in the movie in the role of Gotham City mayor Anthony Garcia.]

Carbonell: Oh, the plus-one thing? No, not yet. I have a plus-one, so I couldn't be someone else's plus-one, but no. I haven't been anybody's plus-one yet. I'll be watching. Hey, I may be in Hawaii [where Lost shoots].

ESPN facing job cuts, hiring freeze

NEW YORK - ESPN's top executive told employees that he's instituting a hiring freeze and won't give any raises to top executives as one of television's most successful enterprises feels the effect of the economy.

ESPN and ABC Sports chief George Bodenheimer said he expected 200 jobs will be cut within the next year, mostly positions currently unfilled.

The moves come despite what Bodenheimer called a record year for ESPN in 2008, although the company doesn't release financial details. Cable television's top sports franchise showed its muscle by outbidding everyone in November for the rights to televise college football's Bowl Championship Series for four years starting in 2011.

"The economy is worsening," Bodenheimer said, "and ESPN and our business partners - especially some of our major advertisers - are feeling the impact more acutely than at any point in our lifetime."

He spoke to ESPN employees Wednesday through a company computer connection, and his message quickly became public.

The company is not ruling out layoffs, although the vast majority of job cuts will come through not filling open jobs, a spokesman said. Bodenheimer said he's ordering a review of operations over the next few months to find ways to save money.

Although top executives won't see raises, Bodenheimer told the troops that some merit raises will still be available to lower level staff.

He also said the company will make key investments both in the U.S. and internationally. ESPN and partner ABC are expected to be bidders later this year when the rights to televise the 2014 and 2016 Olympics goes up for auction.

"Our goal remains to come out of this period stronger," Bodenheimer said.

Mickey Rourke won't rumble with WWE superstar

HOUSTON – A spokeswoman for actor Mickey Rourke says he won't be taking his role as a professional wrestler into a real-life ring after all.

Paula Woods told The Associated Press on Wednesday night that Rourke will not wrestle WWE superstar Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania 25 in April at Houston's Reliant Stadium.

Woods wrote in an e-mail that the Oscar-nominated actor "will not be participating in Wrestlemania. He is focusing entirely on his acting career."

Rourke portrays professional wrestler Randy the Ram in the acclaimed movie "The Wrestler." He made a surprise announcement about the wrestling event Sunday night on the red carpet before the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles.

Rourke had said he was going to toss Jericho "around the ring like tossed salad."

Will Springsteen Bring Courteney Cox Onstage? Crazy Super Bowl Bets Hit the Net

The Super Bowl, in most non-recession years at least, is an event for gamblers and casual bettors to wager on everything from the opening coin flip to the final score to how many beers they can down before the chips run out. Since Bruce Springsteen is this year’s halftime performer, he too is the subject of a bunch of interesting prop bets. On Sportsbook.com, you can bet on the E Street Band’s actual four-song set list — combos spanning everything from “Playlist A: ‘Glory Days,’ ‘My Lucky Day,’ ‘Badlands,’ ‘Born to Run’ ” to “Playlist D: ‘Born in the U.S.A.,’ ‘Thunder Road,’ ‘Rosalita,’ ‘My Lucky Day’ ” — or whether Clarence Clemons will get a featured sax solo. There’s 3-to-1 odds that Springsteen has a wardrobe malfunction, while 2-to-1 odds has Patti Scialfa having a similar Janet Jackson moment. (Steven Van Zandt is going at 8-to-1 odds, but for the sake of future generations we hope that doesn’t happen.)

Our other favorite bet: At a ridiculously-low 10-to-1, you can wager now that Springsteen will reach into the crowd and bring actress Courteney Cox onstage, just like he did in the “Dancing in the Dark” video. But sadly, the fun seems to be coming to an early end: A lot of gambling sites that were offering Springsteen-related bets have since stopped, probably because Bruce and Co. were in Tampa yesterday and today rehearsing their Super Bowl set — that would make “Playlist H: Any Other Song Combination Not Listed” a popular pick (Hint: Winner!). We’re not gonna ruin the Super Bowl surprise for you, but if you really need to know what’s going to be played you can search the appropriate Springsteen-related message boards for the answer.

And the ballots go to ... 5,810 Oscar voters

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – The ballots are in the mail for the 5,810 members of Hollywood's elite who get to vote on the Academy Awards.

Wednesday's final ballots include nominees in 19 categories, among them best picture, director and the four acting prizes.

Ballots in five other categories — feature-length and short documentaries, foreign-language film, animated shorts and live-action shorts — are available only after academy members verify that they attended screenings of the nominees.

The deadline is Feb. 17 for Oscar voters to return ballots to the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. The big show itself comes five days later.

McCartney set for 'Colbert Report' visit

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Comedy Central TV channel says Paul McCartney is going to drop in on Stephen Colbert.

McCartney will be a guest on Wednesday's The Colbert Report, talking up his latest album, Electric Arguments. The work represents a collaboration between the former Beatle and producer-musician Youth, and was released under the band name the Fireman.

The Colbert Report airs at 11:30 p.m. ET weeknights.

Rourke ready to rumble in Houston

HOUSTON – Listen up wrestlin' fans: actor Mickey Rourke says he's ready to rumble with WWE superstar Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania 25 in Reliant Stadium on April 5.

Rourke portrays professional wrestler Randy the Ram in the acclaimed movie "The Wrestler."

He's signed to wrestle Jericho, for real.

He made a surprise announcement Sunday night on the red carpet before the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles.

He said he was pleased by the acceptance of the movie by all the WWE wrestlers — except Jericho.

Then Rourke said he was going to toss Jericho "around the ring like tossed salad."

Meanwhile, Jericho, appearing on WWE television, said, Rourke was out of line and that he was offended by Rourke's comments. He said Rourke made "a mistake."

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova Split

Musical sweethearts Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova have ended their romantic relationship. In 2007's indie fairytale film 'Once,' the pair charmed audiences with their portrayal of an Irish busker (Hansard) who falls for a young Czech immigrant (Irglova). The two Oscar-winners carried the budding romance off-screen, while continuing to perform music together as the Swell Season.

In a recent interview, however, Hansard states that he and Irglova are no longer romantically involved.

"It did become a real relationship," Hansard admits. "I think it was just a very natural part of what we were doing together. We had made the film. We had gone through so much with the Oscar. Of course, we fell into each other's arms. It was a very necessary part of our friendship but I think we both concluded that that wasn't what we really wanted to do. So we're not together now. We are just really good friends."

Having fallen for the duo ourselves, Spinner named the film's poignant ballad, 'Falling Slowly,' the Best Song of 2007. A few months after performing for the Interface, Hansard and Irglova took home the Oscar for Best Original Song for that tune. Thankfully, the pair will continue to make beautiful music together, at least in the literal sense. They have a few upcoming gigs overseas (as the Swell Season) and are considering releasing a newly-recorded album independently.

Billy Bob calls Oscars 'horses---'

PARK CITY, Utah -- Wild prediction: Billy Bob Thornton's new movie won't be up for any Oscars this time next year.

Not that the 53-year-old actor and filmmaker -- as well as Academy Award winner, for 1996's Sling Blade -- sounds like he'd care. "I keep up with the Oscars about as much as I do the Miss America pageant," he says. "I think it's just a dog and pony show. It's horses---."

The film in question, The Informers, premiered at Sundance Thursday night. It's a hedonistic chronicle of sex, drugs and excess circa 1983, adapted from Bret Easton Ellis's short story collection. Although it will offend some sensibilities, Thornton offers no apologies.

"A movie or a record or a book, they don't jump in your shopping cart. They don't have a brain. You have to buy it. So if somebody has anything bad to say about something, they shouldn't have gone."

He's similarly cynical about the struggle to make character-driven films. One such movie, Peace Like a River, has languished for years despite having Thornton attached as the star and Brad Pitt producing.

"The hardest movie to get financed right now is a character drama," he says. "It's come (to the point) where audiences only want to see videogames ... They don't want to see our movies anymore. They want to see us get arrested for DUI on TMZ. It's kind of sad."

Author John Updike dead at 76

NEW YORK — John Updike, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, prolific man of letters and erudite chronicler of sex, divorce and other adventures in the postwar prime of the American empire, died Tuesday at age 76.

Updike, best known for his four “Rabbit” novels, died of lung cancer at a hospice near his home in Beverly Farms, Mass., according to his longtime publisher, Alfred A. Knopf.

A literary writer who frequently appeared on best-seller lists, the tall, hawk-nosed Updike wrote novels, short stories, poems, criticism, the memoir “Self-Consciousness” and even a famous essay about baseball great Ted Williams.

He released more than 50 books in a career that started in the 1950s, winning virtually every literary prize, including two Pulitzers, for “Rabbit Is Rich” and “Rabbit at Rest,” and two National Book Awards.

Although himself deprived of a Nobel, he did bestow it upon one of his fictional characters, Henry Bech, the womanizing, egotistical Jewish novelist who collected the literature prize in 1999.

His settings ranged from the court of “Hamlet” to postcolonial Africa, but his literary home was the American suburb, the great new territory of mid-century fiction.

Born in 1932, Updike spoke for millions of Depression-era readers raised by “penny-pinching parents,” united by “the patriotic cohesion of World War II” and blessed by a “disproportionate share of the world’s resources,” the postwar, suburban boom of “idealistic careers and early marriages.”

He captured, and sometimes embodied, a generation’s confusion over the civil rights and women’s movements, and opposition to the Vietnam War. Updike was called a misogynist, a racist and an apologist for the establishment.

On purely literary grounds, he was attacked by Norman Mailer as the kind of author appreciated by readers who knew nothing about writing. Last year, judges of Britain’s Bad Sex in Fiction Prize voted Updike lifetime achievement honours.

But more often he was praised for his flowing, poetic writing style. Describing a man’s interrupted quest to make love, Updike likened it “to a small angel to which all afternoon tiny lead weights are attached.”

Nothing was too great or too small for Updike to poeticize. He might rhapsodize over the film projector’s “chuckling whir” or look to the stars and observe that “the universe is perfectly transparent: we exist as flaws in ancient glass.”

Author Joyce Carol Oates, a friend of Updike’s, said there was a “luminosity in John’s style that was just extraordinary. He also had a wonderful, warm, sympathetic sense of humour which people didn’t always notice.”

In the richest detail, his books recorded the extremes of earthly desire and spiritual zealotry, whether the comic philandering of the preacher in “A Month of Sundays” or the steady rage of the young Muslim in “Terrorist.”

Raised in the Protestant community of Shillington, Pa., where the Lord’s Prayer was recited daily at school, Updike was a lifelong churchgoer influenced by his faith, but not immune to doubts.

“I remember the times when I was wrestling with these issues that I would feel crushed. I was crushed by the purely materialistic, atheistic account of the universe,” Updike told The Associated Press during a 2006 interview.

“I am very prone to accept all that the scientists tell us, the truth of it, the authority of the efforts of all the men and woman spent trying to understand more about atoms and molecules. But I can’t quite make the leap of unfaith, as it were, and say, ‘This is it. Carpe diem (seize the day), and tough luck.’ “

He received his greatest acclaim for the “Rabbit” series, a quartet of novels published over a 30-year span that featured ex-high school basketball star Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom and his restless adjustment to adulthood and the constraints of work and family. To the very end, Harry was in motion, an innocent in his belief that any door could be opened, a believer in God even as he bedded women other than his wife.

The series “to me is the tale of a life, a life led by an American citizen who shares the national passion for youth, freedom, and sex, the national openness and willingness to learn, the national habit of improvisation,” Updike would later write. “He is furthermore a Protestant, haunted by a God whose manifestations are elusive, yet all-important.”

Other notable books included “Couples,” a sexually explicit tale of suburban mating that sold millions of copies; “In the Beauty of the Lilies,” an epic of American faith and fantasy; and “Too Far to Go,” which followed the courtship, marriage and divorce of the Maples, a suburban couple with parallels to Updike’s own first marriage.

Updike’s “The Witches of Eastwick,” released in 1984, was later made into a film of the same name starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Susan Sarandon.

Plagued from an early age by asthma, psoriasis and a stammer, he found creative outlets in drawing and writing.

Updike was born in Reading, Pa., his mother a department store worker who longed to write, his father a high school teacher remembered with sadness and affection in “The Centaur,” a novel published in 1964.

The author brooded over his father’s low pay and mocking students, but also wrote of a childhood of “warm and action-packed houses that accommodated the presence of a stranger, my strange ambition to be glamorous.”

For Updike, the high life meant books, such as the volumes of P.G. Wodehouse and Robert Benchley he borrowed from the library as a child, or, as he later recalled, the “chastely severe, time-honoured classics” he read in his dorm room at Harvard University, leaning back in his “wooden Harvard chair,” cigarette in hand.

While studying on a full scholarship at Harvard, he headed the staff of the Harvard Lampoon and met the woman who became his first wife, Mary Entwistle Pennington, whom he married in June 1953, a year before he earned his A.B. degree summa cum laude. (Updike divorced Pennington in 1975 and was remarried two years later, to Martha Bernhard. He had four children).

After graduating, he accepted a one-year fellowship to study painting at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Arts at Oxford University. During his stay in England, a literary idol, E.B. White, offered him a position at The New Yorker, where he served briefly as foreign books reviewer. Many of Updike’s reviews and short stories were published in The New Yorker, often edited by White’s stepson, Roger Angell.

“No writer was more important to the soul of The New Yorker than John,” New Yorker editor David Remnick said in a statement. “We adored him. He was, for so long, the spirit of The New Yorker and it is very hard to imagine things without him.”

By the end of the 1950s, Updike had published a story collection, a book of poetry and his first novel, “The Poorhouse Fair,” soon followed by the first of the Rabbit books, “Rabbit, Run.”

Praise came so early and so often that New York Times critic Arthur Mizener worried that Updike’s “natural talent” was exposing him “from an early age to a great deal of head-turning praise.”

Updike learned to write about everyday life by, in part, living it. In 1957, he left New York, with its “cultural hassle” and melting pot of “agents and wisenheimers,” and settled with his first wife and four kids in Ipswich, Mass, a “rather out-of-the-way town” about 48 kilometres north of Boston.

“The real America seemed to me ‘out there,’ too heterogeneous and electrified by now to pose much threat of the provinciality that people used to come to New York to escape,” Updike later wrote.

“There were also practical attractions: free parking for my car, public education for my children, a beach to tan my skin on, a church to attend without seeming too strange.”

In recent years, his books included “The Widows of Eastwick,” a sequel to “The Witches of Eastwick,” and two essay collections, “Still Looking” and “Due Considerations.” A book of short fiction, “My Father’s Tears and Other Stories,” is scheduled to come out later this year.

His standing within the literary community may never have been greater than in 2006, when he delivered a passionate defence of bookstores and words, words on paper, at publishing’s annual national convention.

Responding to a recent New York Times essay predicting a digital future, he scorned this “pretty grisly scenario” and praised the paper book as the site of an “encounter, in silence, of two minds.”

“So, booksellers, defend your lonely forts,” he concluded.

His speech was applauded, discussed and widely quoted, far more than the talk given at the same breakfast gathering by then-Senator Barack Obama.

THE BOSS HAS LANDED

Not only does Working on a Dream hit stores today, but our daily planner just filled in, in a big way. After a few scattered spottings yesterday, today we've got a bigger picture: Springsteen and the E Street Band's official Working on a Dream Tour intinerary from the beginning of April to the beginning of August, consisting of a two-month North American leg and a two-month European leg.

The first arena leg begins on the West coast of the U.S. on April Fools Day and hits a few markets bypassed by the Magic tour -- howdy, Colorado! -- as well as regular strongholds (two in Boston, two in Philly) before wrapping up with two shows at the Meadowlands. No Garden dates, alas, but a third NYC-area show is at Nassau Coliseum. A small stadium sneaks in there, too, with a return to Hershey, PA. The vast majority of these go on sale the morning after the Super Bowl, February 2.

The European stadium leg begins with Hollan's Pinkpop festival on May 30, wrapping up with five Spanish shows in five different cities. We do expect additional dates to fill in, England being a conspicuous ommision at the moment, but here's the initial official itinerary. Onsale date/status in parentheses. We'll fill in the Tour/Ticket Info page with links, etc., as the day goes along.

Apr 1 - San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion at San Jose (Feb 2)
Apr 3 - Glendale, AZ - Jobing.com Center (Feb 2)
Apr 5 - Austin, TX - Frank Erwin Center (Feb 7)
Apr 7 - Tulsa, OK - BOK Center (Feb 7)
Apr 8 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center (Feb 7)
Apr 10 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Arena (Feb 2)
Apr 15 - Los Angeles, CA - LA Memorial Sports Arena (Feb 2)
Apr 21 - Boston, MA - TD Banknorth Garden (Feb 2)
Apr 22 - Boston, MA - TD Banknorth Garden (Feb 2)
Apr 24 - Hartford, CT - XL Center (Feb 2)
Apr 26 - Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena (Feb 2)
Apr 28 - Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Spectrum (Feb 2)
Apr 29 - Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Spectrum (Feb 2)
May 2 - Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Coliseum (Feb 6)
May 4 - Hempstead, NY - Nassau Veterans Mem. Col. (Feb 2)
May 5 - Charlottesville, VA - John Paul Jones Arena (Feb 2)
May 7 - Toronto, ONT - Air Canada Centre (Feb 6)
May 8 - University Park, PA - Bryce Jordan Center (Feb 2)
May 11 - St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center (Feb 2)
May 12 - Chicago, IL - United Center (Feb 2)
May 14 - Albany, NY - Times Union Center (Feb 2)
May 15 - Hershey, PA - Hersheypark Stadium (Feb 2)
May 18 - Washington, DC - Verizon Center (Feb 2)
May 19 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mellon Arena (Feb 2)
May 21 - E. Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center (Feb 2)
May 23 - E. Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center (Feb 2)

May 30 - Landgraaf, Holland - Pink Pop Festival (March 7)
June 2 - Tampere, Finland - Ratinan Stadion (ON SALE)
June 4 - Stockholm, Sweden - Stockholm Stadium (SOLD OUT)
June 5 - Stockholm, Sweden - Stockholm Stadium (SOLD OUT)
June 7 - Stockholm, Sweden - Stockholm Stadium (SOLD OUT)
June 9 - Bergen, Norway - Koengen (SOLD OUT)
June 10 - Bergen, Norway - Koengen (SOLD OUT)
July 2 - Munich, Germany - Olympiastadion (ON SALE NOW)
July 3 - Frankfurt, Germany - Commerzbank Arena (ON SALE NOW)
July 5 - Vienna, Austria - Ernst Happel Stadion (ON SALE NOW)
July 8 - Herning, Denmark - Herning MCH (ON SALE NOW)
July 11 - Dublin, Ireland - RDS (Jan 30)
July 16 - Carhaix, France - Festival des Vielles Charrues (Jan 30)
July 19 - Rome, Italy - Stadio Olimpico (ON SALE SOON)
July 21 - Turino, Italy - Olimpico di Torino (ON SALE SOON)
July 23 - Udine, Italy - Stadio Friuli (ON SALE SOON)
July 26 - Bilbao, Spain - San Mames Stadium (ON SALE SOON)
July 28 - Benidorm, Spain - Estadio Municipal de Foietes (ON SALE SOON)
July 30 - Sevilla, Spain - La Cartuja Olympic Stadium (ON SALE SOON)
Aug 1 - Valladolid, Spain - Estadio Jose Zorrilla (ON SALE SOON)
Aug 2 - Santiago, Spain - Monte Del Gozo (ON SALE SOON)

Bruce Springsteen's camp 'Working' on US tour

The first handful of US dates have surfaced for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's upcoming world tour behind their new album, "Working On a Dream," which reaches stores tomorrow (1/27).

US stops so far confirmed by promoters include San Jose, CA; Charlottesville, VA; Washington, DC; and Pittsburgh, PA; and tickets for each of those shows are scheduled to go on sale Feb. 2. Many more dates are in the works. Last week, Springsteen's camp nailed down plans for a half-dozen European shows scattered from early June through early July.

"Working on a Dream," the follow up to 2007's platinum-certified "Magic," is Springsteen's 24th album. The set--his fourth to feature producer Brendan O'Brien behind the knobs--features 12 new Springsteen compositions and two bonus tracks.

Springsteen's new album and tour will get a huge promotional boost on Feb. 1, when he performs during the halftime show at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, FL.

The Boss made another high-profile appearance during the inaugural festivities for President Barack Obama when he teamed with U2, Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks and other big-name acts for a free, inaugural-kickoff concert in Washington, DC.

April 2009
1 - San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion

May 2009
5 - Charlottesville, VA - John Paul Jones Arena
18 - Washington, DC - Verizon Center
19 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mellon Arena

Laserdisc - Goodbye old friend

Pioneer has closed the doors on it's final three Laserdisc production lines today. Twelve years after the lauch of DVD, Laserdisc graciously made way with class (despite some fearful resistance from the LD owners of that day). So power on your Pioneer Elite today and watch The Godfather Collection, the original Star Wars, Frighteners, The Jaws documentary, Dune or Chasing Amy.

And do you remember: "Leonard Nimoy Demonstrates the Magnavox LaserVision Player".

Good times!!

New CD Releases, January 27th: Bruce Springsteen, Franz Ferdinand, Renee Olstead

Bruce Springsteen "Working on a Dream" (Columbia)

The Boss is set to release his 24th album, "Working on a Dream." The album follows 2007's "Magic," which reached platinum status and scored two Grammy Awards.

"Working on a Dream" was recorded with Springsteen's best-known group of musical cohorts, the legendary E Street Band. It features 12 new Springsteen compositions plus two bonus tracks, and it marks the Boss man's fourth collaboration with Brendan O'Brien, who produced and mixed the record.

Springsteen has been busy advancing the album in a variety of high-profile ways. Most notably, he recently teamed with Bono, Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks and other big-name acts for a free concert in Washington, DC, that marked the start of inaugural festivities for President Barack Obama. He'll receive even more exposure when he performs during the halftime show at the Feb. 1 Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, FL.

* * *
Franz Ferdinand "Tonight: Franz Ferdinand" (Sony)

The Scottish rock band, which is named after historical figure Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, returns with its third studio release. The set follows the band's 2004 eponymous release and 2005's "You Could Have It So Much Better."

"Tonight: Franz Ferdinand" was produced by Dan Carey, whose credits include working with Lily Allen, Hot Chip and Brazilian Girls. The first single from the album is the track "Ulysses."

* * *
Renee Olstead "Skylark" (Reprise)

The 19-year-old vocal sensation, who received a big boost in popularity after performing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," finally releases a follow-up to her self-titled 2004 set, which hit No. 2 on the jazz charts.

Olstead is backed on "Skylark" by several accomplished players, including producer/arranger David Foster (who performs on strings, horns, piano and other instruments), trumpeter Chris Botti and pedal-steel wizard Robert Randolph.

* * *
Various Artists "2009 Grammy Nominees" (Rhino)

Get ready for the so-called "biggest night in music" by listening to this collection of Grammy-nominated artists/tracks. The 20-track disc includes such offerings as Coldplay's "Viva la Vida," Radiohead's "House of Cards," Ne-Yo's "Closer," Maroon 5's "Won't Go Home Without You" and Jonas Brothers' "Burnin' Up." The Grammys will be held Feb. 8 in Los Angeles and air live on CBS.

* * *
John Frusciante "The Empyrean" (Adrenaline)

Frusciante, an artist best known for his guitar work in The Red Hot Chili Peppers, is set to release his 11th solo record. "The Empyrean," said to be a concept record, features contributions from fellow Chili Pepper Flea, Modest Mouse man Johnny Marr and others.

* * *
More new releases:
The Bird and the Bee, "Ray Guns are Not Just the Future" (Blue Note)
Pat Green, "What I'm For" (RCA)
Hoobastank, "For(n)ever" (Island)
Keith Jarrett, "Yesterdays" (ECM)
Dean Martin, "Amore" (Capitol)
Steve Martin, "The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo" (40 Productions)
Paul McCartney, "Amoeba's Secret" (EP) (Hear Music)
Kylie Minogue, "Boombox" (Astralwerks)
Mark Olson, Gary Louris, "Ready for the Flood" (New West)
Enrico Rava, "New York Days" (ECM)
Duncan Sheik, "Whisper House" (RCA)
Various Artists, "Wow Gospel 2009" (Verity)
Various Artists, "WWE: The Music, Vol. 9" (Sony)

Soundtracks and scores:
"World's Fair: To Broadway with Love" (DRG)

McCartney, Radiohead To Rock Grammy Telecast

Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Justin Timberlake and the quadruple threat of Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I. and Kanye West have been added to the performance lineup for the 51st annual Grammy Awards, to be held Feb. 8 at Los Angeles' Staples Center.

McCartney will be backed by Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl on drums, while Radiohead will be making its first live U.S. television performance in nearly nine years.

Meanwhile, Jay-Z, Wayne, T.I. and West will team to perform the hit single "Swagga Like Us," while T.I. and Timberlake will also perform together.

Previously announced Grammy performers include Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, Jonas Brothers, Katy Perry and Carrie Underwood.

Streep, Penn win lead-acting honors at SAG

LOS ANGELES – Meryl Streep of the Roman Catholic drama "Doubt" and Sean Penn of the Harvey Milk film biography "Milk" won lead-acting honors Sunday at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

The prize for overall cast went to the rags-to-riches saga "Slumdog Millionaire," while Heath Ledger of the Batman blockbuster "The Dark Knight" and Kate Winslet of the Holocaust-themed drama "The Reader" took supporting honors.

"Can I just say there is no such thing as the best actress, you know? There is no such thing as the greatest living actress," said Streep, the Academy Awards record-holder with 15 acting nominations, including one for "Doubt," in which she plays an old-school nun in a war of wills with a priest.

"I am in a position where I have secret information, that I know this to be true," she said. "I am so in awe of the work of the women this year — nominated, not nominated — so proud of us girls. And everybody wins when we get parts like this."

The honors raise winners' prospects to take home Hollywood's big prizes at the Academy Awards on Feb. 22.

Two-time Oscar winner Streep's best-actress competitors this time will include Winslet, who was nominated by Oscar voters in that category rather than the supporting one for "The Reader."

Oscar winner Penn played gay-rights political pioneer Milk but said the film had a universal theme.

"As actors, we don't play gay, straight. We don't play any of these kinds of people. We play human beings, and this movie is something that all of us involved are so proud of," Penn said. "This is a story about equal rights for all human beings."

A low-budgeted film with a cast of unknowns, "Slumdog Millionaire" continued to live up to its story line about a poor boy who rises from squalor on the streets of Mumbai to find love, fame and fortune as a champion on India's version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

"Slumdog Millionaire" dominated the Golden Globes and has 10 Oscar nominations, including best picture.

Co-star Anil Kapoor, accepting on behalf of the "Slumdog" cast, dedicated the award to the children in the cast.

"They deserve this award. They set our performances," he said. "It's the children who've done it, not us."

Ledger's supporting-actor prize for his sociopathic reinvention of Batman bad guy the Joker put the late actor a step closer to becoming just the second performer to win a posthumous Academy Award. The first was Peter Finch, the best-actor recipient for 1976's "Network."

The award was accepted by "The Dark Knight" co-star Gary Oldman.

"I'm quite emotional," Oldman said. "It is a great honor to be asked to accept this on behalf of Heath. He was an extraordinary young man with an extraordinary talent, and it is wonderful that you have acknowledged that and honored that talent tonight."

Oscar buzz has been flying over Ledger's performance since before his death just over a year ago from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. With the SAG win and the Golden Globe, Ledger seems unbeatable at the Oscars.

Winslet offered a tribute to the late Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack, both producers on "The Reader," and said 2008 was a fabulous year for films.

"It's really an honor to be included in what I think is such a remarkable year," Winslet said. "I really feel like everybody should be given a medal."

The role already earned Winslet the same prize at the Golden Globes, where she also won lead dramatic actress for "Revolutionary Road." But at the Oscars, Winslet was nominated only for "The Reader," in which she plays a former concentration camp guard.

As it did at the Golden Globes, "30 Rock" swept the TV comedy honors, Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin taking the individual acting prizes and the show winning the ensemble cast award.

Fey, creator and star of the series set behind the scenes at a sketch-comedy show, lobbed a wisecrack at Hollywood producers, who have battled Hollywood trade guilds over actors, writers and others' share of potential profits from Web programming.

Joking that one day, her young daughter would be old enough to watch reruns of "30 Rock" on the Internet, Fey said: "She'll look up at me and say, `What do you mean, you don't get residuals for this?'"

Hugh Laurie, who won his second straight SAG prize for best actor in a TV drama for the medical show "House," joked that he was disappointed one of his fellow nominees did not win.

"I actually had a hundred dollars on James Spader (of "Boston Legal")," Laurie said. "This is just not my night."

Sally Field earned the TV drama actress award for the family series "Brothers & Sisters," while the advertising saga "Mad Men" was named best drama show.

Accepting alongside his cast mates, "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm had kind words for the show's "dozen of viewers."

Before the show, "The Dark Knight" won SAG's honor for best movie stunt ensemble, while "Heroes" took the same prize for television.

James Earl Jones was honored with the guild's lifetime-achievement award for a career that included roles in "Dr. Strangelove," "Field of Dreams," "Cry, the Beloved Country" and "The Man," in which he played the first black U.S. president.

The ceremony featured clips highlighting Jones' rumbling bass voice as the mouthpiece of "Star Wars" villain Darth Vader, the noble patriarch in "The Lion King," even cable news with his "This is CNN" announcements.

"I want to thank you for all the work that you do," Jones told the audience, quoting the Book of Genesis on how God breathed life into man. "I don't mean to embarrass anybody by comparing the actor to God, but once we've taken the role, we have a similar responsibility to breathe life into that role, and only the actor can do that."

Here is the complete list of winners of the 15th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards:

Movies:
_Cast: "Slumdog Millionaire."
_Actor in a leading role: Sean Penn, "Milk."
_Actress in a leading role: Meryl Streep, "Doubt."
_Supporting actor: Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight."
_Supporting actress: Kate Winslet, "The Reader."
_Stunt ensemble: "The Dark Knight."

Television:
_Drama series cast: "Mad Men."
_Actor in a drama series: Hugh Laurie, "House."
_Actress in a drama series: Sally Field, "Brothers & Sisters."
_Comedy series cast: "30 Rock."
_Actor in a comedy series: Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock."
_Actress in a comedy series: Tina Fey, "30 Rock."
_Actor in a movie or miniseries: Paul Giamatti, "John Adams."
_Actress in a movie or miniseries: Laura Linney, "John Adams."
_Stunt ensemble: "Heroes."

_Life Achievement: James Earl Jones.

Reports: Torre takes swings at Yankees in new book

NEW YORK – Joe Torre takes some harsh swings at Alex Rodriguez, Brian Cashman and the New York Yankees in a book due out early next month, according to New York newspaper reports.

"The Yankee Years" reveals that Rodriguez was called "A-Fraud" by his teammates and the star slugger developed an obsession with shortstop Derek Jeter, the New York Post and the Daily News reported Sunday.

Torre, who managed the Yankees from 1996-2007 before taking over the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, also says he was betrayed by Cashman, New York's longtime general manager, the Daily News reported on its Web site.

Torre had a hot-and-cold relationship with Yankees ownership, including George Steinbrenner, but Cashman was thought to be a consistent ally. The GM did not immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press.

The book, co-authored by Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci, is due out Feb. 3 and is being published by Doubleday. It is not a first-person account but instead a third-person narrative by Verducci based on dozens of interviews with Yankees players and employees, ESPN.com reported, citing an unidentified source.

In the book, Torre also says Steinbrenner learned the manager had prostate cancer (during spring training 1999) before Torre even had a chance to inform him.

Torre guided the Yankees to the postseason in all 12 years as manager and won four World Series titles from 1996-2000. But he was offered a one-year contract with a pay cut after the 2007 season, following New York's third straight first-round playoff exit.

Torre turned down the proposal, saying he felt insulted by the offer of bonuses based on postseason performance. He soon agreed to a three-year contract with the Dodgers and led them to the NL championship series last year before they were eliminated by the Philadelphia Phillies, who went on to win the World Series.

'Slumdog Millionaire' snags top producer award

LOS ANGELES – "Slumdog Millionaire" scored the top award from the Producers Guild of America on Saturday, building more momentum for the rags-to-riches drama in the Oscar race for best picture.

The film, a gritty yet heartwarming drama about a game-show contestant from the slums of Mumbai, beat out "Milk," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight" and "Frost/Nixon."

Producer Christian Colson was honored with the Darryl F. Zanuck producer of the year award at the ceremony, held at the Hollywood Palladium, the latest Hollywood kudofest in the run-up to the Academy Awards next month.

"Slumdog Millionaire" swept up four Golden Globe awards earlier this month.

Directed by Briton Danny Boyle and starring a cast of unknowns, the film is a leading contender for the Academy Award's best picture. It also snared Oscar nominations for best director and adapted screenplay.

In television, HBO series "John Adams" snagged the David L. Wolper producer of the year award for long-form TV while AMC's "Mad Men" took the prize for drama.

Two shows were repeat winners from last year. In the comedy TV category, "30 Rock" was honored, while "The Colbert Report" was lauded in live entertainment/competition TV.

In other categories, "Wall-E" won in animated motion pictures, "Man on Wire" in documentaries and CBS' "60 Minutes" in nonfiction television.

Career achievement awards were bestowed on producer Brian Grazer, actor/director/producer Ron Howard, actor/producer Michael Douglas and "The Sopranos" producer David Chase.

The Screen Actors Guild is set to bestow its awards in a televised show Sunday night.

'Paul Blart: Mall Cop' grabs top box office spot

LOS ANGELES – "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" wasn't ready to turn over his box-office badge this weekend as the film about a bumbling shopping center security guard earned $21.5 million to nab No. 1 for a second week in a row.

The comedy, starring Kevin James as the guard who tries to protect the mall where he works from criminals, has now grossed $64.8 million in its two weeks of release and appears on its way to surpass $100 million.

"It's just a very funny film," said Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution for Sony. "It's not only a great family film, it really is a film that everyone loves."

The third installment of the "Underworld" series fared well in its opening weekend. "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans," a prequel that looks at the roots of a feud between vampires and werewolves, made $20.7 million. Its two predecessors — "Underworld" and "Underworld: Evolution" — earned $21.7 million and $26.8 million, respectively, in their opening weekends.

The fantasy adventure "Inkheart" was unable to cast a spell over movie-goers, earning only $7.7 million in its debut. The movie, taken from the best-selling novel by Cornelia Funke, features Brendan Fraser playing a bookbinder with the ability to read characters right out of books and into real life.

"Unfortunately, families didn't come out in larger numbers," said Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.' executive vice president of distribution.

Films that received Academy Award nominations this past week had a strong showing at the box office as studios expanded their release.

"Slumdog Millionaire," the drama about a game-show contestant from the slums of Mumbai, earned $10.6 million this weekend as the movie appeared in more than 1,400 theaters. Studio executives said the film, which has now made nearly $56 million, has been boosted by its recent haul of awards, including top honors from the Producers Guild of America on Saturday.

"I think the word of mouth has been very strong since we opened in November, but with the Golden Globes and the Academy Award nominations as well as the PGA, it's the must-see movie before the Academy Awards in February," said Sheila DeLoach, senior vice president of distribution at Fox Searchlight.

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" re-entered the Top 10, earning $6 million to boost its total to $111 million. The film, starring Brad Pitt as a man aging backward toward infancy, landed 13 Oscar nominations, including best actor for Pitt. "The Wrestler" and "Frost/Nixon" also drew big crowds this weekend.

"This group has gotten the biggest (Oscar) bump collectively that I've ever seen," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box-office tracker Media by Numbers. "This lays to rest the argument that Oscar nominations can't help out your box-office numbers."

Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "Paul Blart: Mall Cop," $21.5 million.
2. "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans," $20.7 million.
3. "Gran Torino," $16 million.
4. "Hotel for Dogs," $12.4 million.
5. "Slumdog Millionaire," $10.6 million.
6. "My Bloody Valentine 3-D," $10.1 million.
7. "Inkheart," $7.7 million.
8. "Bride Wars," $7 million.
9. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," $6 million.
10. "Notorious," $5.7 million.

The Couch Potato Report - January 24th, 2009

This week The Couch Potato Report peels Romeo, Juliet, Annie, Appaloosa, and Austin, Baby.

I have a wealth of titles for you this week, so let me get right to them, starting with the documentary TO BE ROMEO AND JULIET, from Saskatchewan filmmaker Robin Schlaht.

TO BE ROMEO AND JULIET shows us three different groups of actors who are in preperation to play Shakespeare's tragic lovers.

We see a youth summer camp production in Guelph, Ontario, and a very unique, and sometimes odd professional production at the Chilean National Theatre, in Santiago, and an amateur production in Reading, England.

TO BE ROMEO AND JULIET takes us through the twists, turns and obsticles that get in the way, of the actors and directors putting on the play. It also shows us the frailty of the young actors, who at times aren't all that confident in what they are doing.

TO BE ROMEO AND JULIET is a documentary, but it isn't your typical documentary. There is no narration, and there are no one-on-one interviews with the film's subjects. Instead, we just get to see what is taking place on stage, and during rehearsals.

At times the lack of narration works and benefits the film, but there are other times when it could have used some. Those times don't necessarily hurt the film, as there are a lot of very interesting things that happen in the movie, but they do prevent it from being a documentary that I can proclaim a MUST SEE because that narration could have moved the film along a bit faster.

I liked it, but I just don't think it will appeal to everyone. Instead, TO BE ROMEO AND JULIET is really only a film for fans of theatre, Shakespeare himself, and people who enjoy the timeless tale of tragic lovers Romeo and Juliet.

Up next this week is another documentary, one about something that concerns us all - water.

FLOW - FOR LOVE OF WATER is a film that features interviews with water and community activists and it explains the big business of privatization of the world's water infrastructure.

That is a business that prioritizes profits over the availability of clean water for people and the environment.

FLOW - FOR LOVE OF WATER is interesting and insightful, and it also features some great visuals, and it will make you think. For instance, the one question posed that got me was. "Did you ever think that water would sell for the same price as milk?"

FLOW - FOR LOVE OF WATER has a lot going for it, and I do highly recommend it, but it is completely one sided as the big businesses that are depicted never get a chance to defend their actions.

Still, it made me think, and it showed and told me about things I didn't know and hadn't seen. I am glad I had the chance to see it!!

I am also glad, very glad that I was able to watch the documentary ANNIE LEIBOVITZ - LIFE THROUGH A LENS. This is a great movie!!

If you have ever read, or flipped through Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair or Vogue magazines, then you have seen the work of Annie Leibovitz. She has produced some of the most iconic images of the last 30 years shooting the rich and famous, the profound and powerful, the exceptional and notorious.

Some of the most famous Leibovitz photos include the January 22nd, 1981 Rolling Stone cover of John Lennon naked, lying beside Yoko Ono, which was taken on the day of his death.

Demi Moore's nude Vanity Fair cover featuring the actress when she was seven months pregnant.

Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, as The Blues Brothers, with their faces painted blue.

Closeup portrait of Pete Townshend framed by his bleeding hand dripping real blood down the side of his face.

Bruce Springsteen's, Born in the U.S.A. album cover.

And even Miley Cyrus' recent photo spread in which the young star appeared semi-nude.

Simply put, she is one of the world best, and best-known photographers and ANNIE LEIBOVITZ - LIFE THROUGH A LENS shows her taking pictures, living life and introduces us to her family and some of the people who know her best.

It also includes interviews with - among others - Mikhail Baryshnikov, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Bette Midler, Demi Moore, Yoko Ono, Keith Richards, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gloria Steinem and Mick Jagger.

ANNIE LEIBOVITZ - LIFE THROUGH A LENS is a superb film about a great artist! Search this one out!

You don't have to search out these next two releases I have for you, they can be found everywhere right now, in video stores big and small! And if they sound interesting to you, check them out. If they don't, skip them. Both are okay films, but both films should and could have been better.

I'll get to SWING VOTE in a moment, but first is the western APPALOOSA starring Viggo Mortenson, Jeremy Irons, Renee Zellweger, and it was co-written, directed by and stars the great Ed Harris.

In this movie, Viggo and Ed play two old friends who are hired to police a small town that is suffering under the rule of a rancher.

They find their job complicated by the arrival of a young widow, who is played by Zellweger.

Now I like every member of this film's cast, but they deserved a better movie. APPALOOSA isn't awful, but it isn't very good. However, if you like the cast too, or just love westerns, maybe you will get something out of it.

You might also get something out of SWING VOTE, if you love Kevin Costner, or you don't expect too much from this film. This one is not great either, but I liked it.

Costner plays an irresponsible single-father who loves his daughter and his country, but is just never able to do the right thing for either.

And then, due to an "only-in-the-movies' sort of coincidence, the result of the entire presidential election comes down to his vote.

It is up to him, he will pick the next president, so both sides travel to his small town to court him, and try to get his vote.

SWING VOTE is a movie that is almost totally implausible, and the amount of media attention Costner's character gets isn't realistic, in actuality he would be hounded 24 hours a day and never get a moment's peace....but I liked the ending, and I like this film.

Nope, it isn't great, but if it - or APPALOOSA - sounds interesting to you, check them out. If they don't, skip them.

Finally this week, if you have never picked up any of the fantastically fun and entertaining AUSTIN POWERS films, well now you can own all three on the inexpensive DVD set AUSTIN POWERS - THE FRANCHISE COLLECTION.

This DVD is available for less than twenty dollars and it includes all of Mike Myers' brilliance in Austin Powers - International Man of Mystery, The Spy Who Shagged Me and Goldmember.

Sadly, AUSTIN POWERS - THE FRANCHISE COLLECTION features only the Pan & Scan editions of the films, but if it the content of the movies you want to own - and watch repeatedly - for a cheap price, then this is the release of the week for you!!

THE FRANCHISE COLLECTION for the AUSTIN POWERS films, SWING VOTE, APPALOOSA, ANNIE LEIBOVITZ - LIFE THROUGH A LENS, FLOW - FOR LOVE OF WATER and the Saskatchewan film TO BE ROMEO AND JULIET are all available now on DVD.

APPALOOSA, SWING VOTE and the AUSTIN POWERS films are all also available on Blu-ray.

Coming up on the next Couch Potato Report

The made-in-Canada films CLOSING THE RING and MAX PAYNE and the made-in-Spain film VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA.

Also next week, the football film THE EXPRESS, the box set for THE SECRET POLICEMAN'S BALLS, and the BLU-RAY BEACON focusses on Bill Murray's classic film GROUNDHOG DAY, and the BLU-RAY BEACON focusses on Bill Murray's classic film GROUNDHOG DAY.

I'm Dan Reynish. I'll have more on those, and some other releases, in seven days.

For now, that's this week's COUCH POTATO REPORT.

Enjoy the movies and I'll see you back here next time on The Couch!

'Bionic Woman' Makes Appointment With 'Doctor Who'

Fans of the "Bionic Woman" will see a familiar face when they tune into an upcoming episode of "Doctor Who."

Michelle Ryan will guest star on the "Doctor Who" Easter special along with British comedian Lee Evans, reports the BBC News.

In the episode titled "Planet of the Dead," Ryan, 24, will portray the mysterious Lady Christina de Souza.

"As always the script is being kept strictly under wraps," says executive producer and writer Russell T. Davies. "However, we can reveal that Lady Christina is a woman with a mysterious past who's going to have a huge impact on the Doctor."

Joining in on the fun is Lee Evans, who will play Malcolm, whose life becomes somehow connected to the Time Lord's through unusual circumstances.

Filming on "Planet of the Dead" has already begun in Wales. It is the first of four "Doctor Who" specials, marking the end of David Tennant's run as The Doctor before Matt Smith takes over for the 2010 season.

Ryan's participation in the series has caused speculation that she might be up for the role of the Doctor's assistant. Having already appeared with him in this special shouldn't necessarily preclude her taking the bigger role later. Catherine Tate had appeared in the "Doctor Who" Christmas special with David Tennant first but returned as The Doctor's assistant 15 months later.

Besides starring in the remake of "Bionic Woman," Ryan is known for her roles in "EastEnders" and "Jekyll" in the UK.

Bruce Springsteen Prepping 'Darkness' Reissue

Bruce Springsteen is about to release a new album and play the Super Bowl XLIII halftime show, but there's another project in the works that will be received joyously by fans: a deluxe reissue of 1978's "Darkness on the Edge of Town" that will be similar to Columbia's 2005 30th-anniversary boxed set treatment of "Born to Run."

The "Darkness" package "would involve remastering that record, doing the kind of super-creative reconstruction and documentary of how it all came about and finding usable live footage from that point in time," Springsteen manager Jon Landau tells Billboard. "That's a big one, and not that far from completion, and when we can find six weeks to sit down and finish it I'm sure we will."

"Born to Run" included a Grammy-winning documentary about its creation and a 1975 concert from London. It was a huge hit with fans, debuting at No. 18 on The Billboard 200 with first-week sales of more than 53,000 copies.

One endeavor dividing Springsteen devotees down the middle is the Wal-Mart exclusive "Greatest Hits" album, which went on sale Jan. 13. Landau protects Springsteen's image fiercely, and the controversy surrounding the deal did not escape his attention.

"I know these discussions happen online and elsewhere, and I don't want to get bogged down in them, but let's start with the premise that Bruce is already in Wal-Mart," Landau says. "Wal-Mart has been 15% of our sales in recent years. It's not a question of going into Wal-Mart; we're there. They, and other retailers, are all looking for some way to differentiate themselves, and we try to accommodate each one."

Besides, Landau adds, "We're not doing any advertising for Wal-Mart. We haven't endorsed Wal-Mart or anybody else. We're letting Sony do its job making sure the record is well-presented in as many places as possible."

Springsteen and the E Street Band will return to the road this summer, with a handful of European stadium dates having been announced so far.

Timberlake, Pitt spoofed in upcoming Wii game

LOS ANGELES – Justin Timberlake and David Beckham don't have any real-life beef with each other, but cartoony characters resembling the famous crooner and soccer player will face off — along with 16 other A-list impersonators — in the upcoming Wii boxing game "Ready 2 Rumble Revolution" from publisher Atari and developer AKI.

Besides the Timberlake and Beckham copycats, players can don boxing gloves as a lanky Brad Pitt ringer named Fight Clubber or a flabby John Travolta lookalike dubbed Fever Friction. Other characters resemble such famous faces as Sylvester Stallone, David Hasselhoff, James Brown, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Shaun White, Simon Cowell and Antonio Banderas.

"We went with a decent mix of mostly modern, mainstream people that I think much of the younger generation will recognize and know, but then we also went to the other end and grabbed characters that we think some of the older people will recognize as well," said "Ready 2 Rumble Revolution" producer Todd Slepian of the game's casting choices.

Unlike previous "Ready 2 Rumble" games, which only offered a handful of unlockable famous stand-ins, the producers opted to fill the ring with celebs for the series' first outing on the Wii — although gamers will be able to create their own customizable boxers from scratch. Slepian insists the celebrity-inspired characters are meant as parodies, not clones.

"We wanted to reach out to a broader audience, make it a little bit more mass market and add an element of humor," said Slepian. "All of these characters are funny and over the top. We thought it lent itself to the 'Ready 2 Rumble' brand. All of the old character parodies were received pretty well, so we figured we'd take it to the next level."

Worrying a Little Bit? MAD Magazine Goes Quarterly

Today's economy is tough enough to even make MAD Magazine's Alfred E. Neuman worry, apparently.

The venerable humor magazine today announced that starting with issue #500 in April, it will move to a quarterly publication schedule from its current monthly. The magazine's version for younger readers, MAD Kids will cease publication with the issue on sale February 17th, while the final issue of MAD Classics will go on sale March 17th. Both of the spinoff magazines launched in 2005. Circulation numbers for the magazines were not readily available.

Handling the news with style typical of MAD, Editor John Ficarra said, "The feedback we've gotten from readers is that only every third issue of MAD is funny, so we've decided to just publish those."

MAD is a part of DC Comics, which is owned by Warner Bros. Earlier this week, news broke that the media giant would be cutting costs across it companies, and laying off up to 10% of its workforce, worldwide.

MAD Magazine launched in 1952, founded by legendary EC Comics Publisher William Gaines and Editor Harvey Kurtzman, and has satirized, parodied and just made fun of American life, culture and public figures ever since. Many comedians and writers - from Joyce Carol Oates to Monty Python's Terry Gilliam and thousands in between - cite it as a seminal influence in their earlier years. While it was the home to legendary comedians and cartoonists such as Kurtzman, Mort Drucker, Don Martin, Jack Davis, Wally Wood, and John Sevrin in its early years, it has seen a new generation embrace its pages in recent years and has featured work from Peter Kuper, Hermann Mejia, Drew Friedman and Ted Rall.

The cover price of the quarterly issues will be $5.99. Issue #501 will go on sale in August, with #502 in November. Issues of the magazine will now be 56 pages, expanding from 48.

"Remember, MAD started out as eight times a year, before going to 12 and now four." said Ficarra, "Just as Nostradamus had predicted.

This is the second line of publications at DC Comics to see a significant reduction recently - in September, the publisher axed its MINX line of titles that were aimed at teenage girls.

Oscars odds, ends, facts and figures

Here is a collection of facts, figures and trivia about this year's Academy Award nominees:

CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" has become the second-most-nominated film in Academy Award history. First place is still held by "Titanic" (1997) and "All About Eve" (1950), with 14 nominations each.

THE STREEP STREAK: Meryl Streep continues to be Oscar's most nominated performer, with this year's nod for "Doubt" bringing her total to 15. That's three ahead of Katharine Hepburn and Jack Nicholson, who have 12 each. But Hepburn has won four Oscars and Nicholson has won three, while Streep has two.

A NEW RECORD HOLDER: Kate Winslet is now the youngest person to garner six Oscar nominations. Winslet received her sixth nomination, for "The Reader," at 33, one year younger than Bette Davis was when she got her sixth in 1942 for "Now, Voyager."

REPEAT PERFORMER; Philip Seymour Hoffman is the only repeat Oscar nominee from last year. Hoffman, nominated Thursday for supporting actor for "Doubt," was nominated for supporting actor last year for "Charlie Wilson's War." He won the lead actor Oscar for 2005's "Capote."

POSTHUMOUS NOMINEES: With his supporting actor nomination for "The Dark Knight," Heath Ledger joins a handful of Hollywood notables to be so honored after their deaths. Others include James Dean ("East of Eden," 1955, and "Giant," 1956), Spencer Tracy ("Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," 1967), Peter Finch ("Network," 1976), Ralph Richardson ("Greystroke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes," 1984) and Massimo Troisi ("The Postman," 1995). Only Finch has gone on to win.

UNOFFICIAL NOMINEE: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also lists Jeanne Eagles as an "unofficial" nominee for best actress for 1929's "The Letter," the year she died. Although only winners were announced that year, the Academy says records indicate Eagles was "under consideration" for an award.

CHANNELING A PRESIDENT: Frank Langella, nominated for "Frost/Nixon," becomes the second actor nominated for a best actor Oscar for portraying former President Richard Nixon. Anthony Hopkins was the first, for 1995's "Nixon."

BEEN THERE BEFORE: Five acting nominees in this year's Oscar competition are previous winners: Sean Penn, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep and Marisa Tomei.

Oscar Snubs: A Dark Day for Dark Knight

Los Angeles (E! Online) – Maybe fans should have seen it coming, The Dark Knight, after all, does not have a happy ending.

The genre-busting Batman movie, a critical and popular favorite that earned more money in Hollywood history than all but one film and, up until today's Oscar nominations, spent award season being lauded as one of the Industry's top films, was denied a shot at the prize of prizes: Best Picture.

Also turned away: Dark Knight filmmaker Christopher Nolan, shut out of the directing and writing categories.

The Dark Knight did earn eight overall nominations, including one for the late Heath Ledger, but it didn't earn the respect that its studio and at least one grassroots fan campaign sought.

Others coming up short: WALL-E, which desired a Best Picture slot, but made do with an Animated Feature nomination; Kate Winslet, who was nominated for The Reader, but was unable to become a double nominee for Revolutionary Road; Bruce Springsteen, a Golden Globes winner for The Wrestler's title song, a non-factor in the Original Song race (and, no, Miley Cyrus' Bolt song wasn't nominated, either).

'Benjamin Button' leads Oscars with 13 nominations

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – The romantic fantasy "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" led Academy Awards contenders Thursday with 13 nominations, among them best picture and acting honors for Brad Pitt and Taraji P. Henson, and a directing slot for David Fincher.

Other best-picture nominees are "Frost/Nixon," "Milk," "The Reader" and "Slumdog Millionaire."

As expected, Heath Ledger had a supporting-actor nomination for "The Dark Knight" on the one-year anniversary of his death from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. But the Batman blockbuster was shut out from other top categories such as best picture and director.

"Slumdog Millionaire" lived up to its rags-to-riches theme, coming in second with 10 nominations, including a directing spot for Danny Boyle and two of the three song slots.

Real-life couple Pitt and Angelina Jolie both will be going to the Oscars as nominees. Jolie had a best-actress nomination for the missing-child drama "Changeling."

The acting categories were loaded with surprises. Kate Winslet won two Golden Globes, best dramatic actress for "Revolutionary Road" and supporting actress for "The Reader." But she was nominated for lead actress at the Oscars for "The Reader" and shut out for "Revolutionary Road."

Actors considered longshots also sneaked in, among them lead-actor nominee Richard Jenkins for "The Visitor," best-actress contender Melissa Leo for "Frozen River" and supporting-actor pick Michael Shannon for "Revolutionary Road."

Winslet reunited with "Titanic" co-star Leonardo DiCaprio for "Revolutionary Road," but he also was shut out for a nomination on that film.

Other best-actress nominees were Anne Hathaway for "Rachel Getting Married" and Meryl Streep for "Doubt." It was a record 15th nomination for Streep, who already had more Oscar nominations than any other actor.

Joining Pitt and Jenkins in the best-actor category were Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"; Sean Penn, "Milk"; and Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler."

Other acting snubs included Clint Eastwood for "Gran Torino," Sally Hawkins for "Happy-Go-Lucky" and Kristin Scott Thomas for "I've Loved You So Long."

But perhaps the biggest surprise overall was the so-so results for "The Dark Knight," which had been picking up momentum as one Hollywood trade guild after another picked it as one of the year's best films.

The largest blockbuster in years, "The Dark Knight" had eight nominations, but other than Ledger's honor, it scored only in technical categories such as cinematography, visual effects and editing.

Before his death, Ledger's reinvention of the Joker as a mad-dog anarchist already was bringing him Oscar buzz. After Ledger died on Oscar nominations day a year ago, an almost mythical aura grew around the actor, helping to fuel a record $158.4 million opening weekend for "The Dark Knight" last summer.

Long viewed as the favorite, Ledger won the supporting-actor prize at the Golden Globes. If the same happens on Oscar night, Ledger would be only the second performer to receive an Oscar posthumously, following Peter Finch, the best-actor winner for 1976's "Network."

Ledger is the seventh actor to earn a posthumous nomination. Along with Finch, others include James Dean, nominated for best actor twice after his death, with 1955's "East of Eden" and 1956's "Giant."

The other actors nominated after their deaths were Spencer Tracy (1967's "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"); Ralph Richardson (1984's "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes"); Massimo Troisi (1995's "The Postman"); and Jeanne Eagels (1929's "The Letter").

Directors of all five best-picture nominees all were nominated. Along with Boyle and Fincher, the directing category includes Ron Howard for "Frost/Nixon," Gus Van Sant for "Milk" and Stephen Daldry for "The Reader."

Featuring a cast of unknowns, "Slumdog Millionaire" mixes the humorous and the horrific in a love story about an orphan from the streets of Mumbai who becomes a champion on India's version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

The film's newcomer cast was shut out in acting categories, but its 10 nominations included slots for screenplay, cinematography and musical score.

"Slumdog Millionaire" nearly became a casualty of 2008's collapse of studio arthouse divisions. Warner Independent had been set to release the film, which went into limbo after Warner Bros. shut down the specialty banner. The film faced the prospect of going straight to DVD until 20th Century Fox division Fox Searchlight stepped in to release it theatrically.

So far playing in relatively narrow release, "Slumdog Millionaire" has climbed to nearly $45 million at the domestic box office, with plenty of shelf life left to make good on its modest $14 million production budget.

The film dominated the Golden Globes, sweeping all four of its categories, including best drama and director.

Like "Slumdog Millionaire," "The Wrestler" presents an on-screen drama whose theme parallels the comeback story of Rourke. Playing a former wrestling star with one last shot at glory, Rourke returns to the promise of his early career, before his bad-boy behavior made him virtually unemployable in Hollywood.

"The Wrestler" earned Rourke the Golden Globe for dramatic actor. The film also won a Globe for the title song by Oscar winner Bruce Springsteen. But Springsteen missed out on a song nomination for "The Wrestler."

Along with the two tunes from "Slumdog Millionaire," the third song nominated was one co-written by Peter Gabriel for the animated blockbuster "WALL-E."

The robot romance "WALL-E" is the latest Pixar Animation blockbuster coming in as the favorite for the animated-feature Oscar. "WALL-E" is up against the martial-arts comedy "Kung Fu Panda" and the dog tale "Bolt."

A win for the critically adored "WALL-E" would be the fourth feature-length animation Oscar for Pixar, giving the outfit behind "Ratatouille," "Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles" half of the eight trophies since the category was added in 2001.

Oscar nominees are chosen in most categories by specific branches of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, such as actors, directors and writers. The academy's full membership of about 6,000 was eligible to vote for best-picture nominations and can cast ballots for the winners in all categories at the Oscar ceremony itself.

The 81st Oscars will be presented Feb. 22 in a ceremony airing on ABC from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.

This year's Oscars already present a departure from previous shows. Rather than a comedian, such as past hosts Billy Crystal, Chris Rock or Jon Stewart, the emcee this time is Hugh Jackman, star of the "X-Men" flicks and a Tony Award winner for best actor in a musical.

Rock, the Oscar host four years ago, has some advice for Jackman about handling the crowd of nominees, most of whom go home empty-handed.

"I'll tell him what Billy told me. An hour and a half into the show, most of the audience has lost, so you have to take that into account as you go on with the show," Rock said this week at the Sundance Film Festival. "But I'm sure he'll be great, singing and dancing and doing his thing."

ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR TO HOST THE 2010 JUNO AWARDS

St. John’s, NL (January 22, 2009) - The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) along with broadcast partner, CTV, today announced St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador as the Host City for The 2010 JUNO Awards to be held April 15-18, 2010. This marks the second time St. John’s will host Canada’s Music Awards that encompasses four days of local festivities and popular JUNO Awards Weekend Events. The 39th Annual JUNO Awards will be broadcast on CTV, Sunday, April 18, 2010.

“The JUNO Awards have come full circle to arrive back in St. John’s following the great success of our visit here in 2002, and we at CARAS are thrilled to be returning to a city of such enthusiasm and rich musical tradition,” said Melanie Berry, CARAS President. “2010 will mark the beginning of an exciting new city to city cycle for the JUNO Awards.”

“With the 2010 JUNO Awards, CTV will have broadcast this tremendous celebration of Canadian music from one coast to the other and back again,” said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. “It was in St. John’s that CTV began our partnership with CARAS and started taking the show on the road, so next year’s broadcast has special meaning.”

“The return of The JUNO Awards to St. John’s is wonderful news for the music industry in this province whose members are firmly established on national and international stages,” said Premier Danny Williams. “We invite the country to celebrate with us in 2010 the extraordinary musical talent of both our province and the country as a whole. Our artists define who we are culturally and contribute substantially to the rich and diverse heritage of Canada, and we look forward to hosting this amazing award show.”

A strong bid was presented to CARAS and was awarded to St. John’s based on a combination of solid commitments from the municipal, provincial and federal governments, its first-class venues as well as its reputation as a city that embraces and promotes Canadian music and culture.

“The Government of Canada is proud to support The JUNO Awards, which have played a pivotal role in recognizing the careers of our nation’s most talented and emerging musicians,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency). “Our cultural industries are powerful drivers of economic growth that enrich education and help make vibrant, creative communities.”

St. John’s, known as The City of Legends, is surrounded by spectacular coastlines. Downtown St. John’s is a vital urban centre of arts and culture built on significant historic sites, charming streetscapes and exceptional entertainment venues.

“We are extremely delighted to host The JUNO Awards once again in St. John’s,” remarked Mayor Dennis O’Keefe. “We are proud of our reputation as a cultural capital, and this prestigious event affords us a tremendous opportunity to show the country why St. John’s is the place to be.”

Many venues in the surrounding area of St. John’s will host various JUNO Awards Weekend Events. Location and programming details will be announced at a later date.

The successful bid for The 2010 JUNO Awards in St. John’s received commitments from all levels of government totaling $1.5 million including $750,000 from the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, $500,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and $250,000 from The City of St. John’s.

Broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound, The 2010 JUNO Awards, Canada’s Music Awards, will air on CTV on Sunday, April 18, 2010. It will be the ninth year in a row that The JUNO Awards will air on CTV, the official broadcast partner of the JUNO Awards. Since CTV joined forces with CARAS in 2002, The JUNO Awards have travelled across Canada, bringing a live, electrified stadium show to millions of Canadians. Since going live from St. John’s in 2002, CTV has broadcast The JUNO Awards from Ottawa (2003), Edmonton (2004), Winnipeg (2005), Halifax (2006), Saskatoon (2007) and Calgary (2008).

The 2009 JUNO Awards will take place in Vancouver, BC, March 26-29, and will air on CTV on Sunday, March 29, 2009.

'Benjamin Button' leads Oscars with 13 nominations

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – The romantic fantasy "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" led Academy Awards contenders Thursday with 13 nominations, among them best picture and acting honors for Brad Pitt and Taraji P. Henson and a directing slot for David Fincher.

Other best-picture nominees are "Frost/Nixon," "Milk," "The Reader" and "Slumdog Millionaire."

Heath Ledger had a supporting-actor nomination for "The Dark Knight," but the Batman blockbuster was shut out for other top categories such as best picture and director.

"Slumdog Millionaire" lived up to its rags-to-riches theme, coming in second with 10 nominations, including a directing spot for Danny Boyle and two of the three song slots.

Real-life couple Pitt and Angelina Jolie both will be going to the Oscars as nominees. Jolie had a best-actress nomination for the missing-child drama "Changeling."

Kate Winslet won two Golden Globes, best dramatic actress for "Revolutionary Road" and supporting actress for "The Reader." But she was nominated for lead actress at the Oscars for "The Reader" and shut out for "Revolutionary Road."

Other best-actress nominees were Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"; Melissa Leo, "Frozen River"; and Meryl Streep, "Doubt."

Joining Pitt in the best-actor category were Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor"; Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"; Sean Penn, "Milk"; and Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler."

More to follow...

List of 81st annual Oscar nominations is announced

Here is the complete list of 81st annual Academy Award nominations announced Thursday:

1. Best Picture: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Frost/Nixon," "Milk," "The Reader," "Slumdog Millionaire."

2. Actor: Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor"; Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"; Sean Penn, "Milk"; Brad Pitt, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"; Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler."

3. Actress: Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"; Angelina Jolie, "Changeling"; Melissa Leo, "Frozen River"; Meryl Streep, "Doubt"; Kate Winslet, "The Reader."

4. Supporting Actor: Josh Brolin, "Milk"; Robert Downey Jr., "Tropic Thunder"; Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Doubt"; Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"; Michael Shannon, "Revolutionary Road."

5. Supporting Actress: Amy Adams, "Doubt"; Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"; Viola Davis, "Doubt"; Taraji P. Henson, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"; Marisa Tomei, "The Wrestler."

6. Director: David Fincher, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"; Ron Howard, "Frost/Nixon"; Gus Van Sant, "Milk"; Stephen Daldry, "The Reader"; Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire."

7. Foreign Film: "The Baader Meinhof Complex," Germany; "The Class," France; "Departures," Japan; "Revanche," Austria; "Waltz With Bashir," Israel.

8. Adapted Screenplay: Eric Roth and Robin Swicord, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"; John Patrick Shanley, "Doubt"; Peter Morgan, "Frost/Nixon"; David Hare, "The Reader"; Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire."

9. Original Screenplay: Courtney Hunt, "Frozen River"; Mike Leigh, "Happy-Go-Lucky"; Martin McDonagh, "In Bruges"; Dustin Lance Black, "Milk"; Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon and Pete Docter, "WALL-E."

10. Animated Feature Film: "Bolt"; "Kung Fu Panda"; "WALL-E."

11. Art Direction: "Changeling," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "The Duchess," "Revolutionary Road."

12. Cinematography: "Changeling," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "The Reader," "Slumdog Millionaire."

13. Sound Mixing: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "Slumdog Millionaire," "WALL-E," "Wanted."

14. Sound Editing: "The Dark Knight," "Iron Man," "Slumdog Millionaire," "WALL-E," "Wanted."

15. Original Score: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Alexandre Desplat; "Defiance," James Newton Howard; "Milk," Danny Elfman; "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman; "WALL-E," Thomas Newman.

16. Original Song: "Down to Earth" from "WALL-E," Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman; "Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Gulzar; "O Saya" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam.

17. Costume: "Australia," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Duchess," "Milk," "Revolutionary Road."

18. Documentary Feature: "The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)," "Encounters at the End of the World," "The Garden," "Man on Wire," "Trouble the Water."

19. Documentary (short subject): "The Conscience of Nhem En," "The Final Inch," "Smile Pinki," "The Witness — From the Balcony of Room 306."

20. Film Editing: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "Frost/Nixon," "Milk," "Slumdog Millionaire."

21. Makeup: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "Hellboy II: The Golden Army."

22. Animated Short Film: "La Maison en Petits Cubes," "Lavatory — Lovestory," "Oktapodi," "Presto," "This Way Up."

23. Live Action Short Film: "Auf der Strecke (On the Line)," "Manon on the Asphalt," "New Boy," "The Pig," "Spielzeugland (Toyland)."

24. Visual Effects: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "Iron Man."

___

Academy Award winner previously announced this year:

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (Oscar statuette): Jerry Lewis

'Benjamin Button' leads Oscar nominations with 13

LOS ANGELES – "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" leads the Academy Awards with 13 nominations, including best picture, and acting honors for Brad Pitt and Taraji Phenson, and a directing slot for David Fincher.

Other best picture nominees are "Frost/Nixon," "Milk,' "The Reader" and Slumdog Millionaire.

Heath Ledger has a supporting actor nomination for "The Dark Knight," but the Batman blockbuster has been shut out for other top categories, such as best picture and director.

More to follow...

Oscar Nominations Coming Tomorrow

Kate Winslet took home two Golden Globes earlier this month for "Revolutionary Road" and "The Reader." Could she repeat with two Oscars?

Nominations for the 81st Annual Academy Awards will be announced at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time tomorrow. Check back here tomorrow for a full list of nominations.

While traditionally announced on a Tuesday, this year's nominations were delayed out of respect for President Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony.

The 81st Academy Awards will air Feb. 22 on ABC from Los Angeles' Kodak Theater. "Australia" star Hugh Jackman will host.

Full details on Bond 3 and a surprise

The specs have come in on Volume 3 of The James Bond films coming from MGM.

Goldfinger will come with two audio commentaries; one with director Guy Hamilton and one with cast and crew. An interactive guide to Goldfinger will be included along with the featurettes Sean Connery From the set of Goldfinger, On tour with the Aston Martin DB5, Exoctic Locations, The Making of Goldfinger, The Goldfinger Phenomenon and the original promotional featurette, screen tests for Theodore Bikel and Tito Vandis, an interview with Honor Blackman, a trailer, TV broacasts, radio interviews and a photo gallery.

Moonraker is filled with two audio commentaries as well; one from Sir Roger Moore and one with director Lewis Gilbert and members of the cast and crew. Another interactive guide is included along with the featurettes 007 in Rio, Bond '79 and Exotic Locations, the documentaries Inside Moonraker and The Men Behind the Mayhem, Ken Adam's Production films, sky diving test footage, storyboards, a trailer and photo gallery.

The World is Not Enough comes with a huge list of features starting with commentaries from director Michael Apted and one from Peter Lamont, David Arnold and Vic Armstrong. Deleted and extended scenes are included. Also on the disc is an introduction with Apted, the featurettes James Bond Down River, Making the Teaser Trailer, Exoric Locations, The Making of The World Is Not Enough, Bond Cocktail and Tribute to Desmond Llewelyn, the Hong Kong Press Conference, an interactive guide, a music video by Garbage, and alternative video option for selected scenes, a trailer and a photo gallery are onboard.

That would be enough for most people, but if four Bond titles in March doesn't satiate, perhaps the faux Bond film Never Say Never Again to arrive on the same day. It's unknown whether the film has been restored with the same amazing techniques used on the other films, but the black sheep film will contain an audio commentary with Irvin Kershner and Steven Jay Rubin along with a theatrical trailer, photo gallery and the featurettes The Big Gamble, Sean is Back and The Girls of Never Say Never Again.

All four titles (along with Quantum of Solace) will arrive on March 24th.

Young box set pushed back again

TORONTO - The wait continues for Neil Young fans.

Young's oft-delayed "The Archives Vol. 1 1963-1972" box set has been pushed back again until later this year with no firm date for its release, according to a representative from Warner Music Canada.

The collection, originally scheduled for release last fall, is expected to include unreleased studio and live recordings, fresh film footage, photos, personal letters and a 150-page book.

Some reports have indicated that the set will use the Blu-Ray format, but the Warner rep said details have not been finalized.

In the meantime, Young's new disc, "Fork in the Road," is scheduled for release March 31, with the title track already available for download on his website.

Early press about the record, however, has not been positive.

In a review of a Madison Square Garden performance by Young last month, the Village Voice called his new material "absolutely terrible."

The songs, which writer Rob Harvilla said seemed culled from a concept album about eco-friendly cars, were "disturbingly beef-witted" and the crowd reaction was emphatic: Harvilla reported that only 60 per cent of the original audience remained by the end of the show.

Young's interest in eco-friendly cars is well-established.

Last year, the legendary Canadian rocker teamed up with mechanic Johnathan Goodwin, in the hopes of converting Young's 1959 Lincoln Continental to operate on an electric battery.

Young is nominated for a Grammy Award for best solo rock vocal performance for his song "No Hidden Path," off last year's "Chrome Dreams II." The awards will be handed out Feb. 8 in Los Angeles.

Heritage minister promises no cuts to culture funding

Heritage Minister James Moore has promised no cuts to Canadian arts and culture spending in the upcoming federal budget.

"There will be no cuts, that was our campaign commitment," he said in an interview with CBC's Q cultural affairs show aired Wednesday.

Asked whether the $1 billion federal allocation to the CBC would be cut by the Conservative government, as the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting has suggested, Moore denied there would be cuts.

"The short answer to your question is, no, we're going to continue our strong investment into the CBC. We believe in a Canadian broadcaster and that's why we're spending more money than ever before and we will continue to work with the CBC and obviously the concerns — there's issues over HD conversion that's coming and mandate questions about how the CBC will fulfil its responsibilities — but we're looking forward to being strong partners with the CBC," he said.

Moore suggested that arts and culture would be considered in the economic stimulus package the government plans to present.

"This is an incredibly important part of the Canadian economy. We often talk about arts and culture building value in communities and building networks and so bringing creativity," he said.

"It's a huge part of our GDP. It's twice the size of all those who work solely in agriculture. It's three times the size of our forest industry. So it's a huge part of our economy and most importantly, in my view, is that arts and culture is about improving the quality of life of Canadians," Moore said.

Moore defended the Conservative record on arts and culture, saying Canadians have an "incorrect" perception that the government does not support the arts.

He has been meeting with arts groups across the country in a good will tour aimed at counteracting the perception that the Tories are "anti-arts."

When asked about the $45 million in cuts to programs such as Trade Routes and Prom Art, which helped promote Canadian artists in international markets, he said the money was reallocated to other arts programs.

"There weren't cuts in arts and culture, the $45 million that you were describing in the campaign…that was money that was not cut from arts and culture," Moore said.

Why Trade Routes was cut

The international programs were cut because of their "inefficiency" and "demonstrated ability to fail," Moore said.

"Trade Routes — one of the highest profile programs that received a lot of scrutiny and certainly in the city of Montreal — is a small program, a $7-million program — but it cost $5 million to administer $2 million worth of benefits. It's a level of inefficiency that rivals the old long-gun registry and it's just inappropriate," he said.

The Trade Routes program, which helped for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in the arts and cultural sector prepare to export and sell in international markets, will end in April.

Moore claimed money from that program went to increases at the Canada Council, the Museum Assistance Program and funding for the National Gallery.

"It's not a straight line — that money is reduced and is then reallocated within different envelopes, but net, there has not been a nickel spending reduction by our government in arts and culture. We're spending more money on arts and culture that any government in Canadian history," he said.

Moore said Trade Routes will not be reinstated, but that the government "agrees with the goals" of the program and will consider other options.

He distanced himself from comments made by the foreign affairs office that suggested the cuts were ideologically motivated.

In September, Anne Howland, a spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson, had mentioned the Toronto indie band Holy F--- and writers such as Gwyn Dyer and Avi Lewis as artists funded by Prom Art and Trade Routes who should not have received taxpayers' money.

Moore said that as heritage minister, he has no mechanism to affect who gets money or to cut funding where art has been controversial or even offensive. Those decisions are made by arm's-length funding agencies such as the Canada Council for the Arts, he said.

"The Canada Council for the Arts — $181 million this year, up 20 per cent — because we're a government that believes in those decisions being made independent of all politicians, whether they come from the right, left, centre, whatever," he said.

Springsteen Unveils European Stadium Dates

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will indeed tour behind their new album, "Working on a Dream," with stadium dates announced today for Europe in May, June and July.

So far, 10 shows are confirmed, beginning May 30 at the Pink Pop Festival in Holland. The group will also play June 2 in Tampere, Finland, June 4-5 in Stockholm, June 9-10 in Bergen, Norway, July 2 in Munich, July 3 in Frankfurt, July 5 in Vienna and July 8 in Herning, Denmark. Tickets go on sale Monday (Jan. 26).

Springsteen's reps had been cagey about whether he would tour again this year, on the heels of an extensive run in 2007-2008 in support of the album "Magic." The tour grossed about $232 million worldwide, according to Billboard Boxscore.

The group will headline the Super Bowl XLIII halftime show in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 1; "Working on a Dream" arrives Jan. 27 from Columbia.

Sex And The City Stars Agree To Sequel Deals

The stars of Sex And The City have agreed deals to star in a big screen sequel, according to reports.

Just months after the first movie adaptation of the hit TV series became a box office hit - making more than $400 million (GBP285 million) worldwide - producers have gathered actresses Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis and Kim Cattrall together, and thrashed out lucrative agreements for them to reprise their roles.

A source tells Us Weekly magazine, "Not all the contracts are signed, but everyone is on board. It just happened."

Parker publicly rebuked Cattrall last year after she prematurely announced the sequel was going ahead during an interview on TV in Britain.

Parker said, "I'm thrilled to know Kim is excited but all the deals are not yet done... We need to figure this out in the next couple of months."

And, last month, co-star Nixon announced, "We don't know if it's (sequel) coming up. We're in negotiation. I'm very hopeful, but certainly nothing is for sure. I don't think anyone's deals are done.

"We were very excited to get to do the first one, and we're keeping our fingers crossed that we get to do another one."

Shooting is scheduled to start this summer.

George Clooney Scrubbing Into ER

Los Angeles (E! Online) – ER paged Dr. Ross—and he answered.

Sources tell E! News that George Clooney will be shooting scenes this week for an upcoming episode of the hit medical series, which is in its 15th and final season on NBC.

The network recently ordered up another three episodes of its stalwart Thursday-night drama, raising hopes that nabbing Clooney for a guest spot was one of the reasons for the extension.

Aw, George. Is there any humanitarian cause he won't support?

The Oscar winner last appeared on ER for an uncredited minute in 2000, a year after taking off to make movies fulltime, to help tie up the storyline for Julianna Margulies' departing character, Nurse Carol Hathaway, who had twin daughters with Clooney's Dr. Doug Ross.

Whether or not Clooney would pop up one last time has been up in the air for months, despite Noah Wyle's past assurance that his former costar would return, "schedule permitting."

The Michael Clayton star's publicist didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. An ER rep would not confirm other reports that Clooney would be shooting his scenes Thursday and Friday.

ER's series finale airs April 2 on NBC.

Myers' 'Love Guru' proves endearing at Razzies

LOS ANGELES – Voters for 2008's worst movies love Mike Myers. They really love him.

Myers' comedy flop "The Love Guru" led the field Wednesday for the Razzies with seven nominations, among them worst picture and worst-acting slots for Myers, Jessica Alba, Verne Troyer and Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley.

The number of nominations for "Love Guru" was appropriate given what a personal project it was for Myers, who not only starred but also co-wrote and produced the movie, said John Wilson, founder of the Razzies, an Oscar spoof that dishes out "dis-honors" for the lousiest stuff Hollywood dredged up the previous year.

"This is one of those auteur-of-the-awful situations," Wilson said. "I think people are tired of him in general. He hasn't really made a good movie in quite some time."

The other worst-picture contenders were "Disaster Movie" and "Meet the Spartans," Hollywood spoofs that shared a nomination for a "badly beaten dead horse of a concept"; the fright flick "The Happening"; Paris Hilton's romantic comedy bomb "The Hottie & the Nottie"; and the sword-and-sorcery fantasy "In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale."

Razzie "winners" will be announced Feb. 21, the day before the Oscars.

Hilton had three nominations, worst actress and worst screen couple alongside her co-stars in "The Hottie & the Nottie," plus worst supporting actress for "Repo! The Genetic Opera."

Eddie Murphy, named worst actor, supporting actor and supporting actress last year for multiple roles in "Norbit," has two nominations this time, as worst actor and screen couple alongside himself for dual roles in his sci-fi comedy dud "Meet Dave."

Cameron Diaz also picked up two Razzie nominations for the romance "What Happens in Vegas," as worst actress and worst screen couple alongside co-star Ashton Kutcher.

Along with Kingsley, Oscar winner Al Pacino had a worst-actor nomination for his crime thrillers "88 Minutes" and "Righteous Kill."

The stars of the remake "The Women" — Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith and Meg Ryan — shared a worst-actress nomination. Joining them, Alba, Diaz and Hilton in the worst-actress category was Kate Hudson for "Fool's Gold" and "My Best Friend's Girl."

Besides Murphy, Myers and Pacino, worst-actor nominees were Larry the Cable Guy for "Witless Protection" and Mark Wahlberg for "The Happening" and "Max Payne."

"In the Name of the King" filmmaker Uwe Boll had three nominations for 2008 movies, worst director for that flick and "1968: Tunnel Rats" and "Postal," supporting actor for playing himself in "Postal" and screen couple alongside "any actor, camera or screenplay."

Boll — whose movies include such horror or action tales as "Bloodrayne," "Alone in the Dark" and "House of the Dead" — also was selected by Razzies voters to receive a special prize for worst career achievement as "Germany's answer to Ed Wood," the legendary bad filmmaker responsible for "Plan 9 From Outer Space."

"It's pretty insulting to Ed Wood. Although Wood didn't understand how to splice two frames together, there was a joy of incompetence in his work," Wilson said. "Uwe Boll's like our Meryl Streep. As long as he continues to work, he will get nominated, just like Meryl Streep does with those other awards."

Hey Mr. President, listen to this

Yes, "American Woman" made the list. So did others you'd expect, like Stompin' Tom's "The Hockey Song," and some you might not, like Parachute Club's "Rise Up."

Canadians have chosen 49 songs for President-elect Barack Obama's playlist that help define this country north of the 49th parallel. The list was compiled by more than 130,000 votes over two weeks by listeners of CBC's Radio 2.

"This is a unique and diverse list that represents a wide variety of artists and songs, both historic and current," says Denise Donlon, executive director of English radio. Tops in jazz was Oscar Peterson's "Hymn to Freedom"; Glenn Gould's "Goldberg Variations" was top of the classical heap; Rush's "Closer to the Heart" was No. 1 among pop/rock, urban or country songs; and Gilles Vigneault's "Mon pays" was the favourite francophone tune.

The complete list is below. You can also visit the Web page cbc.ca/obamasplaylist, where the songs can be bought through iTunes.

In alphabetical order, by first letter of the band or artist name:

Arcade Fire, "Rebellion (Lies)"

Barenaked Ladies, "If I Had $1,000,000"

Beau Dommage, "La complainte du phoque en Alaska"

Ben Heppner, "We'll Gather Lilacs"

Bruce Cockburn, "Wondering Where the Lions Are"

Buffy Sainte-Marie, "Universal Soldier"

Daniel Bélanger, "Rêver mieux"

Daniel Lanois, "Jolie Louise"

Daniel Lavoie, "J'ai quitté mon île"

Diana Krall, "Departure Bay"

Gilles Vigneault, "Mon pays"

Glenn Gould, "Goldberg Variations"

Gordon Lightfoot, "Canadian Railroad Trilogy"

Gordon Lightfoot, "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"

Great Big Sea, "Ordinary Day"

Harmonium, "Pour un Instant"

Ian & Sylvia, "Four Strong Winds"

James Ehnes, "Barber Violin Concerto"

Jesse Cook, "Mario Takes a Walk"

Joni Mitchell, "Both Sides Now"

Joni Mitchell, "A Case of You"

Karkwa, "Oublie pas"

k.d. lang, "Hallelujah"

Leonard Cohen, "Democracy"

Leonard Cohen, "Suzanne"

Malajube, "Montréal -40°C"

Marie-Jo Thério, "Évangeline"

Marjan Mozetich, "Affairs of the Heart"

Measha Brueggergosman, "I'm Going Up a Yonder"

Mes Aïeux, "Dégénérations"

Michael Bublé, "Home"

Moe Koffman, "Swingin' Shepherd Blues"

Neil Young, "Rockin' in the Free World"

Neil Young, "Helpless"

Oscar Peterson Trio, "Hymn to Freedom"

Oscar Peterson, "Place St. Henri (from Canadiana Suite)"

Parachute Club, "Rise Up"

Raymond Lévesque, "Quand les hommes vivront d'amour"

Rush, "Closer to the Heart"

Sam Roberts, "The Canadian Dream"

Shad, "Brother (Watching)"

Stan Rogers, "Northwest Passage"

Stompin' Tom Connors, "The Hockey Song"

The Arrogant Worms, "Canada's Really Big"

The Guess Who, "American Woman"

The Rankin Family, "Rise Again"

The Tragically Hip, "Wheat Kings"

The Tragically Hip, "Bobcaygeon"

The Weakerthans, "One Great City!

Rush readies third retrospective compilation

Rush's third volume in its "Retrospective" compilation series is set for a March 3 release. "Retrospective III (1989-2008)" features songs from the trio's 20 years with Atlantic Records. It also includes the previously unreleased live version of "Ghost of a Chance," and two tunes remixed by bassist Alex Lifeson and master mixer Richard Chycki, according to a press release.

The collection will be available in the form of a single audio disc, as well as a two-disc CD/DVD set, which features 10 music videos, three live videos, a rarely televised performance of "Tom Sawyer" and an on-camera interview featuring all three band members.

Both the CD and CD/DVD are available for pre-order at the band's website. The band also is offering a "Deluxe Rush Fan Pack," combining the CD/DVD package with a limited-edition lithograph that highlights the albums featured on "Retrospective III." The first 100 buyers will receive a signed lithograph.

In related news, Rush has been nominated for a Grammy Award (Best Rock Instrumental Performance) for the song "Hope (Live For The Art Of Peace)," which was featured on the "Songs for Tibet: The Art of Peace" compilation.

Jackman Reassures Fans Over Wolverine 'Problems'

Australian actor Hugh Jackman has written a personal letter to X-Men fans assuring them his upcoming Wolverine movie is going to plan - despite growing rumours of problems with the film.

Comic book prequel, X Men Origins: Wolverine, is due for release in May but speculation about the film's slow progress has been increasing since the cast was recently recalled to the set in Vancouver, Canada to reshoot several scenes.

Many fan forums and internet gossips have voiced concerns that movie bosses ordered the reshoots after the film failed to come up to standard.

But Jackman has now come forward to defend the project - insisting the extra filming does not have any bearing on the quality of the picture.

He writes in a letter to Aintitcool.com, "It's Hugh Jackman, sending this note from freezing Vancouver. I have read a lot of your online comments regarding the footage that we are currently shooting and I share your passion for the Wolverine character and the movie - I owe it all to you guys!

"I wanted to reach out and let you know that due to scheduling conflicts with certain cast members and location/weather considerations, we had to wait until now to shoot a couple of scenes. Please rest assured that Wolverine will be badass and hopefully meet all of your expectations."

Coldplay top nominee at BRIT music awards

LONDON (Reuters) – Acclaimed British rock band Coldplay and Welsh singer Duffy head the field at the 2009 BRITs, the country's top pop music awards, with four nominations apiece, organizers announced on Tuesday.

They are followed by London-born singer/songwriter Adele, indie pop band Scouting For Girls and alternative rockers Elbow, who all appear in three categories.

Coldplay are up for best British group and best British album, considered the most prestigious prize at the BRITs, for their multi-million selling record "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends". The group is also up for best British single and British live act.

The BRITs' recognition of Duffy, a relative unknown a year ago, caps a year during which her debut album "Rockferry" was Britain's top-selling record in 2008 and boasts worldwide sales of nearly 4.5 million copies.

She has been nominated for best album, best single for "Mercy", British female solo artist and British breakthrough act. The best British single award is chosen by live public vote on the night of the awards ceremony.

In the international categories, the same five artists are competing both for best international group and international album -- AC/DC, Fleet Foxes, the Killers, Kings of Leon and MGMT.

BRITS GO GLOBAL

British pop music enjoyed considerable international success in 2008, underlined by its dominance at the industry's top awards, the Grammys, which will be handed out in Los Angeles on February 8.

Of the 20 nominations in the four "main" Grammy categories, 13 are British artists, BRITs organizers said.

"The list highlights the continued investment in British talent across the UK record industry," said Ged Doherty, chairman of the BRITs Committee.

Adele, another female pop artist to make it big in 2008, has been shortlisted for the best British female, British breakthrough and British single categories.
Elbow are in the running for best British group and album plus top live act, where they are up against Scouting for Girls who are also nominated for British breakthrough act and single for "Heartbeat".

Four other British acts -- Ting Tings, Radiohead, Girls Aloud, and Estelle -- land two nominations apiece in this year's BRITs list.

BRITs organizers also announced on Tuesday that Take That and Coldplay will appear at the awards ceremony on February 18th, joining Pet Shop Boys, U2, Kings of Leon, Duffy and Girls Aloud.

Hosting the event, held before an audience of over 10,000 people at London's Earls Court, will be Australian star Kylie Minogue.

Obama takes office, saying choose 'hope over fear'

WASHINGTON – Stepping into history, Barack Hussein Obama grasped the reins of power as America's first black president on Tuesday, declaring the nation must choose "hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord" to overcome the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

In frigid temperatures, an exuberant crowd of more than a million packed the National Mall and parade route to celebrate Obama's inauguration in a high-noon ceremony. Waving and cheering in jubilation, they stretched from the inaugural platform at the U.S. Capitol toward the Lincoln Memorial in the distance.

With 11 million Americans out of work and trillions of dollars lost in the stock market's tumble, Obama emphasized that his biggest challenge is to repair the tattered economy left behind by outgoing President George W. Bush.

"Our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed," Obama said. "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin the work of remaking America."

It was a day of high spirits — jarred by sudden concern about the health of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, a legendary Democrat who is suffering from brain cancer. He suffered an apparent seizure at a Senate luncheon in honor of Obama. "This is a joyous time but it's also a sobering time," Obama said. "And my prayers are with him and his family and (Kennedy's wife) Vicki."

As Kennedy was put into an ambulance, he told Senate colleague Chris Dodd, D-Conn., "I'll be OK, I'll see you later," according to Dodd.

Obama wove a thread of personal responsibility and accountability through his inaugural address. He spoke of a "new era of responsibility" and alluded to the inability — or unwillingness — of Americans to adjust to the passing of an industrial-based economy. "Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age," he said.

After four hours of pomp and ceremony at the Capitol, Obama and his wife, Michelle, rode in a tall, heavily armored Cadillac limousine along the 1.5 mile parade route to the White House. To the delight of cheering onlookers, the Obamas got out and walked down several blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue, waving to people kept behind police baricades.

Two years after beginning his improbable quest as a little-known, first-term Illinois senator with a foreign-sounding name, Obama moved into the Oval Office as the nation's fourth-youngest president, at 47, and the first African-American, a barrier-breaking achievement believed impossible by generations of minorities.

He said it was a moment to recall "that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness." In another racial reference, he paid tribute to workers in the past who "endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth."

Obama's election was cheered around the world as a sign that America will be more embracing, more open to change. "To the Muslim world," Obama said, "we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect."

Still, he bluntly warned, "To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy."

"To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist," Obama said in his address, which ran 18 1/2 minutes.

A mighty chorus of cheers erupted as he stepped to the inaugural platform, a midday sun warming the crowd that had waited for hours in the cold. There were some boos when Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney came onto the platform.

The dawn of the new Democratic era — with Obama allies in charge of both houses of Congress — ends eight years of Republican control of the White House by Bush, who leaves Washington as one of the nation's most unpopular and divisive presidents, the architect of two unfinished wars and the man in charge at a time of economic calamity that swept away many Americans' jobs, savings and homes.

Obama called for a political truce in Washington to end "the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics."

He said that all Americans have roles in rebuilding the nation by renewing the traditions of hard work, honesty and fair play, tolerance, loyalty and patriotism.

With the economy in a long and deepening recession, Obama said it was time for swift and bold action to create new jobs and lay a foundation for growth. Congressional Democrats have readied an $825 billion stimulus plan of tax cuts and spending for roads, bridges, schools, electric grids and other projects.

Contradicting the objections of Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton to big government, Obama said, "The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works."

After the ceremony, Obama and his wife escorted Bush and his wife to a helicopter on the East Front of the Capitol for the trip to nearby Andrews Air Force Base and a flight back home to Texas.

In his remarks, Obama took stock of the nation's sobering problems.

"That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood," he said.

"Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened. ... Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many, and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet."

Outlining goals abroad and putting foes on notice, he declared:

"We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken. You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."

It was the first change of administrations since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Bush — following tradition — left a note for Obama in the top drawer of his desk in the Oval Office.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said the theme of the message — which Bush wrote on Monday — was similar to what he has said since election night: that Obama is about to begin a "fabulous new chapter" in the United States, and that he wishes him well.

The unfinished business of the Bush administration thrusts an enormous burden onto the new administration, though polls show Americans are confident Obama is on track to succeed. He has cautioned that improvements will take time and that things will get worse before they get better.

Culminating four days of celebration, the nation's 56th inauguration day began for Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden with a traditional morning worship service at St. John's Episcopal Church, across Lafayette Park from the White House. Bells pealed from the historic church's tower as Obama and his wife, Michelle, arrived five minutes behind schedule.

The festivities weren't ending until well after midnight, with dancing and partying at 10 inaugural balls.

By custom, Obama and his wife, and Biden and his wife, Jill, went directly from church to the White House for coffee with Bush and his wife, Laura. Michelle Obama brought a gift for the outgoing first lady in a white box decorated with a red ribbon.

Shortly before 11 a.m., Obama and Bush climbed into a limousine to share a ride to the Capitol for the transfer of power, an event flashed around the world in television and radio broadcasts, podcasts and Internet streaming.

Just after noon, Obama stepped forward on the West Front of the Capitol to lay his left hand on the same Bible that President Abraham Lincoln used at his first inauguration in 1861. The 35-word oath of office, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts, has been uttered by every president since George Washington. Obama was one of 22 Democratic senators to vote against Roberts' confirmation to the Supreme Court in 2005.

The son of a white, Kansas-born mother and a black, Kenya-born father, Obama decided to use his full name in the swearing-in ceremony.

To the dismay of liberals, Obama invited conservative evangelical pastor Rick Warren — an opponent of gay rights — to give the inaugural invocation.

About a dozen members of Obama's Cabinet and top appointees were ready for Senate confirmation Tuesday, provided no objections were raised. But Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas indicated he would block a move to immediately confirm Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton. Still, she is expected to be approved in a roll call vote Wednesday.

More than 10,000 people from all 50 states — including bands and military units — were assembled to follow Obama and Biden from the Capitol on the 1.5-mile inaugural parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue, concluding at a bulletproof reviewing stand in front of the White House. Security was unprecedented. Most bridges into Washington and about 3.5 square miles of downtown were closed.

Among the VIPs at the Capitol was pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the hero of last week's US Airways crash into the Hudson River.

In an appeal for bipartisanship, Obama honored defeated Republican presidential rival John McCain at a dinner Monday night. "There are few Americans who understand this need for common purpose and common effort better than John McCain," Obama said.

Young and untested, Obama is a man of enormous confidence and electrifying oratorical skills. Hopes for Obama are extremely high, suggesting that Americans are willing to give him a long honeymoon to strengthen the economy and lift the financial gloom.

On Wednesday, his first working day in office, Obama is expected to redeem his campaign promise to begin the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq under a 16-month timetable. Aides said he would summon the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Oval Office and order that the pullout commence.

Late Jeff Healey star of Maple Blues Awards

The late Jeff Healey was the big winner at the Maple Blues Awards in Toronto on Monday night.

The Canadian blues guitarist and his band won seven out of 17 awards handed out at the Phoenix Concert Theatre on Monday, including best entertainer, electric artist, guitarist and recording of the year for his posthumous album Mess of Blues.

His accompanists — drummer Al Webster, keyboardist Dave Murphy and bassist Alec Fraser — also won their respective instrument categories.

Healey died in March after a battle with the same cancer that robbed him of his sight when he was a baby.

Other winners:

Female vocalist of the year: Saskatchewan born and Toronto-based singer-songwriter Suzie Vinnick.

Songwriter of the year: Toronto's Paul Reddick.

Male vocalist of the year: John Mays, who heads the group Fathead.

Acoustic artist of the year: Harry Manx of Salt Spring Island, B.C.

New artist of the year: Daddy Long Legs of Waterloo, Ont.

International artist of the year: Harlem-born veteran Taj Mahal.

Harmonica player of the year: Ottawa's Steve Marriner.

Last year's top winners, Toronto-based Downchild, received an award for horn player Pat Carey.

Dublin radio airs new U2 single

DUBLIN, Ireland – U2 fans, get your boots on. The first song from the band's first album in five years is ready for you to hear. U2 began broadcasting the up-tempo single "Get On Your Boots" Monday — first on RTE, Ireland's state broadcasters, then for free on the group's Web site.

For decades, U2 has given Irish broadcaster Dave Fanning first dibs to broadcast its singles. Fanning — a friend of Bono since U2's Dublin rise in the late 1970s — led his morning RTE 2FM show with the song, which he praised as "a big song with lots of layers, but not overproduced."

Giving an advance taste on the Internet to the rest of the world is new. The "Get On Your Boots" single goes on sale Feb. 13 in Ireland and shortly thereafter worldwide.

U2's official Web site also lists all 11 title tracks for the new album, "No Line on the Horizon," which will be released Feb. 27 in Ireland, March 2 in many other countries, and March 3 in the United States.

"No Line on the Horizon" was recorded over a two-year period in New York, London, Dublin and Morocco — and is widely forecast to become the biggest-selling album of 2009. It is the band's 12th studio album and the first since 2004's Grammy-winning "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb."

The U2 Web site said Monday that "No Line on the Horizon" will be sold in an unprecedented five formats: a standard CD case with 24-page booklet; a "digipak" edition with a fold-out poster and rights to download a U2 film; a 64-page magazine version; a box edition that includes a DVD and hardback book; and a limited-issue vinyl LP.

Previous posthumous Oscar nominees

Peter "I'm mad as hell" Finch's death didn't stop him from collecting an Oscar for his turn in Network in 1977.

Based on merit, sentiment and even hype, the late Heath Ledger will be Oscar-nominated as best supporting actor for his unsettling but dazzling performance as The Joker.

There is no guarantee that the expected nom, due Thursday, will lead to an Oscar win for Ledger, who died Jan. 22 when director Christopher Nolan was still editing The Dark Knight. In the past, six performers were posthumously nominated in an acting category.

Only one -- Peter Finch for Network (1976) -- won. We often accuse Academy members of overwrought sentimentality, but their record in this unique category suggests otherwise. They can be cold-blooded. Ledger's saga must play out.

However, it is ridiculously easy for audiences and voters to see how good Ledger is in complementing and completing Christian Bale's Batman. The Dark Knight is widely available on DVD. Delving into the past is more challenging. One of the six is still missing on DVD and most of the DVDs that do exist are older releases, so you might have to scrounge.

Jeanne Eagels in The Letter (1929)

Somewhat paralleling Ledger, the tragic Eagels was a highstrung insomniac, sublimely talented and died in 1929, aged 35, of a probable accidental overdose of sedatives.

However, she was also an alcoholic and heroin abuser. Cause of death was controversial. In life, despite notorious diva behaviour, she gave electrifying performances on stage and in this film. Her Oscar nom as best actress was never announced.

For the 1930 Oscars -- honouring films of 1929 -- only winners were made public. But the nomination list was later revealed. Eagels lost to Canadian Mary Pickford, who seduced the voting committee with a high tea and won for Coquette. Voting rules then changed. Sadly, The Letter is not available on DVD, although the film survives.

James Dean in East of Eden (1955) and Giant (1956)

The legendary Hollywood rebel and cult icon starred in only three films. He was nominated best actor for two, both posthumously. He famously died in a car accident in 1955, aged 24.

East of Eden last came to DVD in 2005 as a two-disc special edition. It is also in the 2005 box set, The Complete James Dean Collection. Giant also returned to DVD in 2005 and, obviously, is part of the same collection.

Spencer Tracy in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

The beloved star died of a heart attack in 1967, aged 67. He was nominated best actor nine times, winning twice. His longtime lover and co-star, Katharine Hepburn, won best actress for this film but Tracy lost this time. The film most recently came to DVD last February as a splendid 40th anniversary edition. It is also in the Stanley Kramer Film Collection.

Peter Finch in Network (1976)

The hell-raising Finch died of a heart attack in 1977, aged 64. As a posthumous best actor winner, he left behind his still potent "I'm mad as hell ..." speech. Network was last seen on DVD in a two-disc special edition from 2006.

Ralph Richardson in Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984)

Richardson, a knighted legend of British stage and screen, died of a stroke in 1983, aged 80. The delightful eccentric played the sixth earl of Greystoke in this Tarzan, earning only his second Oscar nom, both as best supporting actor, 35 years after his first. This Tarzan, no classic but worth a look, last came to DVD in 2004.

Massimo Troisi in Il Postino/The Postman (1994)

Troisi, an Italian, died of a heart attack in 1994, aged 41. In addition to his best actor nom, he was nominated as co-writer of Michael Radford's enchanting film. Il Postino was last seen alone on DVD in 2000. It is also in two different Miramax box sets released later.

Canadian town hopes to premiere 'Star Trek'

CALGARY - An attempt by residents of Vulcan to beam the world premiere of the new Star Trek movie into their small Alberta community remains in a holding pattern, but the captain of the mission is optimistic the quest will still be a success.

It may not be the planet of Vulcan, but the town of the same name, population 1,942, has already developed itself as a tourist attraction focusing on the birthplace of Star Trek's beloved Mr. Spock.

And after word that filming on director J.J. Abrams' new Star Trek movie was about to begin, Trekkies in the community southeast of Calgary began the process of attempting to go where no small Canadian town has gone before.

"I've been communicating with executives at Paramount Canada and they still haven't said no. We're optimistic but they also haven't said yes," acknowledged Dayna Dickens, Vulcan's tourism co-ordinator.

"We are developing a second proposal now which we're going to send down which outlines the logistics of what an event would look like if it were to happen here.

"My hope is when I send that on to Paramount they'll say, 'Gee, this offer's too good to pass up and let's give them the movie.' "

"Star Trek XI," which focuses on Mr. Spock and Capt. James T. Kirk's early years, is scheduled to premiere on Stardate 05-08-09, otherwise known as May 8.

Vulcan pulled out all the stops to try to gain the premiere or even a sneak peak of the movie event. It even launched a Facebook site which now boasts over 1,500 members.

"This is the voyage of a small town's quest for the 'Star Trek XI' movie premiere," begins a video on the Facebook site with the Star Trek theme playing in the background.

"Our Mission - to showcase our Star Trek spirit, to help Hollywood showcase the new Star Trek movie and to host a spectacular event that brings Spock home to Vulcan, Alta."

Supporters of the quest are equally passionate about the TV and movie franchise.

"I think we should have the event here in Vulcan, Alta. Then again, I am only one Klingon," wrote Jaymz Smith. "But one Klingon is a force to be reckoned with."

Already on the international radar for its famous name and for its homage to Star Trek, Vulcan held its first Vul-con convention in 1993. Two years later, the town unveiled its own Star Ship FX6-1995-A to welcome visitors. A plaque includes greetings written in English, Vulcan and Klingon.

Another sign welcomes visitors with the Vulcan motto "Live Long and Prosper." There's also a space-themed visitors centre and, in an odd combination of prairie tradition and outer space zeal, there's also the annual Spock Days Rodeo.

There were 16,693 people who made the trek to Vulcan in 2008, said Dickens - an increase of 19 per cent over 2007.

Dickens said the local community centre could easily be turned into a large movie theatre and parts of the town converted into a mini Star Trek convention. She realizes not many people have faith that the stars will end up in perfect alignment.

"Most people say you haven't got a chance and it's just crazy but my theory is as long as the senior vice-president of motion picture monitoring isn't saying no to me then I have to be optimistic," she said.

And with the release of what could be one of the summer's biggest blockbusters approaching at warp speed, the lack of word from the studio isn't a concern.

"When I first spoke to them a year ago they said they were considering the proposal but they did mention it might be something we wouldn't be able to find out about until four weeks out from the actual release date," Dickens said.

Series is Conchords' flight from reality

The best thing to come out of New Zealand since the kiwi is back for another session of surreal merriment.

Yes, Flight of the Conchords, the series that dares to ask the question "How clueless can two musicians be?" starts its second season tonight at 10 p.m. on HBO Canada.

When it first appeared in June 2007, viewers were initially caught off-guard and then instantly pleased by the show's desert-dry humour, endless self-mockery and deliciously tasteless music videos.

The saga of the feckless folk duo Flight of the Conchords and its inept attempts to make it in the Big Apple became a favourite of critics and viewers alike, winding up with four Emmy nominations in 2008.

There have probably never been two anti-heroes as decidedly anti-heroic as Jemaine and Bret, played – with marvellously coincidental symmetry – by Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie.

Clement's the one with the black-framed glasses and unruly hair that make him seem like a Down-Under cousin of Garrison Keillor, while McKenzie's wispy beard and waif-like physique would qualify him for a role as a slightly anorexic hobbit in Peter Jackson's next movie (he was actually in two Lord of the Rings movies).

They're on the phone from Los Angeles, cracking wise about the unlikely success of their determinedly quirky series.

"I think it's due to my winning personality," deadpans McKenzie.

"And to Bret's not wearing any pants," adds Clement.

McKenzie suggests he's not worried about whether the audience will take to the second season, "but I'm nervous I won't like it myself."

The gents guard the details of the show's minimal plot as though they were pictures of Jennifer Aniston's Brangelina voodoo doll, but they still let some details slip out.

"There's quite a few romantic moments," offers Clement. "I get involved with a few different women." Pause. "Nothing lasts, I'm afraid."

"Ah, yes," sighs McKenzie. "We tap into real pain all the time."

"Especially for our songs," adds Clement. "They're all about our true life moments. Girls breaking up with us, awkward social situations."

"When our feelings are being hurt," continues McKenzie, enjoying the masochistic duet they're improvising.

"Yeah, like when you don't get invited to the birthday party," Clement sighs.

That stops McKenzie short. "What birthday party?"

At moments like that it becomes clear these aren't guys playing roles, but a tightly knit pair that has been working on this off-the-wall synergy for many years.

Clement is 35, McKenzie 32. They met at Victoria University of Wellington, while working on an educational production called Body Play, about body consciousness and image issues.

"It had a cast of 25," remembers McKenzie, "and we were all dressed in black pants with Velcro-detachable penises."

The guffaw that escapes from Clement at this point suggests that his partner might be embroidering the truth, an element at the heart of the Conchords' comedy style.

They formed a comedy duo in 1998, but weren't an instant success. Far from it.

"I did one of those real-life advertisements where I had to wear a suit that was really a boat to publicize a local ferry service in New Zealand," McKenzie recalls. "I was walking up and down the street wearing it and I kept running into friends who were successful lawyers."

"My low point was a gig at a cricket club in New Zealand," offers Clement.

"Yeah," remembers McKenzie with a shiver. "We weren't playing any songs they knew and so they got angry. It was kind of a Blues Brothers moment."

"Bret finally decided to humour them and play `The Gambler' while I was packing," Clement laughs.

"Yeah," McKenzie concurs, "but I didn't know the lyrics and I could only remember one chord."

He then launches into a desperate, tuneless rendition of a man moaning, "You gotta know when to gamble, know when to ramble," and it's easy to see where the tacky songs that dot the Conchords' TV show today had their origins.

One of the highlights of Season 1 was their take on every saccharine French love ballad that haunted the scene in the late 1960s. Their version was a bit of nonsense entitled "Foux du Fafa," and it was accompanied by a video that was Jacques Demy's The Umbrellas of Cherbourg at its very worst.

"I had just come back from a holiday in France, so I was moved to write it," declares Clement with ersatz passion.

"And by then I had learned a second chord," adds McKenzie, "so we were good to go."

They started appearing on New Zealand TV in 2000, but it was their appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2003 and 2004 that really jump-started their careers. "Antipodean comedy goes down well in the U.K.," McKenzie says.

"They're laughing at our accents," suggests Clement.

"Yeah," McKenzie agrees. "They already think we're stupid."

But, whether they wanted it or not, their star was in the ascendant.

An HBO special led to an appearance at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin in 2006, which in turned spawned a mock documentary entitled Flight of the Conchords: A Texan Odyssey.

They next wound up on David Letterman's show, where their antics prompted HBO execs to wonder if they could sustain a comedy series.

"We like some TV comedy series," says McKenzie cautiously. "The Black Adder. Garry Shandling."

"But we never saw ourselves doing one week after week," Clement observes with horror. "We ran out of ideas after the first episode of Series 1. We just keep disguising the fact."

They even enjoy the trappings of their cultish fame. "Groupies now show up at our concerts and seem quite determined," Clement notes.

"And our fans give us home crafts that have our names on them," preens McKenzie. But the ultimate secret is something Clement gives away at the end of the conversation.

"Every horrible experience in the show is something we've been through in our lives 10 or 15 years ago and we just dig it up and relive it on TV."

Does this mean that the bad times are all over?

"Not at all," insists McKenzie. "We go back every night and compare notes about the awful things that happened to us during the day and we use it as material."

"And then," chuckles Clement, "we turn the rest into songs."

Preview of January/February 2009 album releases

NEW YORK (Billboard) – Here is a preview of some of the most noteworthy releases for the first two months of the year.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN "WORKING ON A DREAM" (COLUMBIA, JAN. 27)

Reinvigorated by the rich pop that fueled 2006's "Magic" and the tour that followed, Bruce Springsteen, the E Street Band and producer Brendan O'Brien knocked out "Working on a Dream" in occasional sessions while gigging last year (some featuring late keyboardist Danny Federici and his son Jason). The title track and second single "My Lucky Day" hint that Springsteen and O'Brien are continuing along the big, upbeat path that would sound great live. But the opener "Outlaw Pete" is a slow-burning, eight-minute narrative, while "Good Eye" hints at the swamp-blues sounds Springsteen has occasionally explored on tour.

FRANZ FERDINAND "TONIGHT: FRANZ FERDINAND" (EPIC, JAN. 27)

Franz Ferdinand makes good on its stated desire to produce a "dirty pop" album with "rhythm- and dance-based" songs on its third long-player. Throughout, the Scottish band lets its funky bass lines handle much of the heavy lifting, decorating them with vintage synth melodies straight out of the Genesis or Sparks playbooks. Elsewhere, the band's cold grooves nod to Wire, Can and "Miss You"-era Rolling Stones. Franz's first two albums "were very jerky," frontman Alex Kapranos says. "This one is much more of a swinger."

50 CENT "BEFORE I SELF DESTRUCT" (SHADY/INTERSCOPE, FEB. 3)

Originally due late last year, 50 Cent's latest was bumped to the first quarter to allow him more time to hone tracks with longtime mates Eminem and Dr. Dre. "I have a couple of tracks on there with him. It's sick," Eminem says. Dr. Dre's fingerprints are all over the new single "I Get It In." "Before I Self Destruct" will be bundled with a full-length feature film of the same name, in which 50 plays a budding basketball star who becomes a criminal after his mother's murder.

THE FRAY "THE FRAY" (EPIC, FEB. 3)

Two and a half years after a key placement on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" helped turn the Fray into a platinum star, the band used another high-profile partnership with the network to introduce the new single "You Found Me" in late November. The track, which has already sold 632,000 downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan, stemmed from crises among friends and family that prompted singer Isaac Slade to confront the age-old question of why bad things happen to good people. The sound of "The Fray" is "a little more extreme than the last record," Slade says. "It definitely spreads the spectrum a little bit."

DIERKS BENTLEY "FEEL THAT FIRE" (CAPITOL NASHVILLE, FEB. 3)

"I want something that needs to be on someone's mantle," Dierks Bentley says of his goal for "Feel That Fire." "I have a bunch of U2 CDs, and each one has its own little place; it's not just pump out another record and say, 'All right, let's get back to the bus.'" The country artist, who kept his circle of co-writers close on past albums, expanded his horizons by writing with Rodney Crowell, Rivers Rutherford, and Brad and Brett Warren, among others. "It's not only a chance to write songs, but it's big-brother mentoring, getting to ask questions about life," he says. "It's therapy to some point."

THE BAD PLUS "FOR ALL I CARE" (HEADS UP, FEB. 3)

The jazz trio offers more unique interpretations of pop and rock classics on an album that also features vocals for the first time (from Wendy Lewis). Among the covers given the Bad Plus treatment this time around are Nirvana's "Lithium," the Bee Gees' "How Deep Is Your Love," Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb," Heart's "Barracuda" and Yes' "Long Distance Runaround." The album also includes interpretations of pieces by classical composers Igor Stravinsky, Gyorgi Ligeti and Milton Babbitt.

LILY ALLEN "IT'S NOT ME, IT'S YOU" (CAPITOL, FEB. 10)

Lily Allen's sophomore album retains the playful spirit of her star-making 2007 debut, "Alright, Still," but relocates her from too-cool-for-school hipster pop to somewhere between the dance floor and the real world. Despite songs about God and George W. Bush, it's still strong, uncontrived pop music. And it sounds stuffed with hits, starting with the lead track, "The Fear." "I did a retro thing last time," Allen says. "And since I did that, a lot of other people did it too. I wanted to separate myself from the group and move forward. People think I've intentionally done something more serious, but I haven't."

DAN AUERBACH "KEEP IT HID" (NONESUCH, FEB. 10)

The Black Keys vocalist/guitarist is taking time off from his primary band to release and tour behind this solo debut, which he admits is "all over the map. Some of them sound like they could be Black Keys songs. But some songs are just acoustic guitar. There's some real dark tunes and some psychedelic rumbas." The album runs the gamut from the sparse, drum-less opener, "Trouble Weighs a Ton," and the genial acoustic closer, "Goin' Home," to raw, swaggering rockers.

THE LONELY ISLAND "INCREDIBAD" (UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC, FEB. 10)

The comedy team consisting of "Saturday Night Live" star Andy Samberg and writers Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer draws from its sizable catalog of Internet smash hits for its major-label debut, including "Dick in a Box" with Justin Timberlake, "Iran So Far" with Maroon 5's Adam Levine and "Lazy Sunday." Also expected to appear are "I'm on a Boat" with T-Pain, "Sax Man" with Jack Black, "Boombox" with the Strokes' Julian Casablancas and "Dream Girl" with Norah Jones.

TWO TONGUES "TWO TONGUES" (VAGRANT, FEB. 10)

Saves the Day frontman Chris Conley and Say Anything mastermind Max Bemis join forces on this project, which Bemis says he "wanted to be a little more poetic and little bit less completely verbose." The album reflects the grandiose pop/punk and emo sounds of both bands and their influences, which Bemis cites as "Sunny Day Real Estate, Smashing Pumpkins and Beatles-y with a Britpop element. Balance is very much so what the plot of the album is about. It's really about me and Chris' friendship and how that represents anybody's friendship, or anybody's relationship."

MORRISSEY "YEARS OF REFUSAL" (ATTACK/LOST HIGHWAY, FEB. 17)

The first few songs on "Refusal" suggest a more rock-oriented effort in the style of 1992's "Your Arsenal," including "All You Need Is Me" and the fired-up "Something Is Squeezing My Skull." On "Mama Lay Softly on the Riverbed," Morrissey sounds vengeful. The curious "When Last I Spoke to Carol" seems influenced by the cinematic sound of Ennio Morricone, while "It's Not Your Birthday Anymore" experiments with samples.

VARIOUS ARTISTS "DARK WAS THE NIGHT" (BEGGARS BANQUET, FEB. 17)

Some of the biggest names in independent music banded together to record exclusive songs for this double-disc album, whose proceeds will benefit the Red Hot organization's work with AIDS research. In the works since 2006, the project was curated by the National's Aaron and Bryce Dessner. The lineup includes Spoon, Arcade Fire, Yo La Tengo, the New Pornographers, Cat Power, My Morning Jacket and Iron & Wine. "Dark Was the Night" is also packed with intriguing collaborations, including Feist with Ben Gibbard and Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors with David Byrne, Aaron Dessner with Bon Iver, and Bryce Dessner with Antony.

... AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD "THE CENTURY OF SELF" (RICHTER SCALE/JUSTICE, FEB. 17)

The veteran Texas rock band is back on indie turf after three albums for Interscope, and on "The Century of Self," it has rediscovered the dark, punishing power of its best material. "Pictures of an Only Child" begins as a subdued wash of sound before bursting into a loud, chugging chorus, and the bracing "Far Pavilions" has shouted counterpoint vocals from drummer Jason Reece. "On the last two albums, we were really meticulous, recording to click tracks and doing overdubs," Keely says. "This time, we threw all that out. We learned the songs and all tracked live."

JEREMY ENIGK "OK BEAR" (LEWIS HOLLOW, FEBRUARY)

Jeremy Enigk returns to the heavier rock sound of Sunny Day Real Estate on his third solo album, recorded outside Barcelona with a group of musicians introduced to Enigk by a mutual friend from Seattle. "These guys are Sunny Day Real Estate fans, and the moment they got their hands on my songs, whether they were mellow or not, they turned them into heavy rockers," Enigk says. Look for driving tracks like "Late of Camera" and "Find Idea," alongside "April Storm" ("That's on a Ryan Adams/'Love Is Hell'-type of kick," Enigk says) and the Gram Parsons-inspired "Same Side Imaginary."

Obamas, Bidens enjoy Lincoln Memorial concert

Reuters WASHINGTON – Under the gaze of Abraham Lincoln's statue, Bruce Springsteen and a red-robed gospel choir kicked off a spirited preinaugural concert Sunday before tens of thousands on the National Mall.

The crowd erupted in cheers when Obama and his wife, Michelle, arrived, walking down the steps of the memorial, and kept applauding for the high-energy Springsteen act and the performances that followed.

There was no red carpet, but the event had the feel of a Hollywood awards ceremony, with stars taking the stage to praise, serenade, and even impersonate the next president.

Performers including Bono, Beyonce and James Taylor were on the bill.

A crowd expected to reach up to a half-million was stretched past the reflecting pool separating the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

Obama and his wife and Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, sat behind bullet-proof glass near the stage erected on the steps of the memorial.

The concert began with Springsteen, dressed in black, singing "The Rising," with the help of the choir, taking a song best known as a call to action following the 2001 terror attacks and using it to usher in a new era in American politics.

Denzel Washington was the first celebrity to speak, telling the crowd, "we are all in this together."

Another speaker was actor Tom Hanks, who as Forrest Gump famously gave a speech at the monument steps and jumped into the reflecting pool. This time, he appeared in a dark suit and read a somber tribute to Abraham Lincoln.

Jamie Foxx brought many in the crowd — and the Obamas — to their feet by repeatedly urging those from Chicago to make some noise: "Chi-town, stand up!" he demanded.

Foxx then launched into a quick impersonation of the president-elect.

Joe Biden told the crowd: "Look around you. Look at the grace and grandeur that surrounds us and you'll see the work of American hands."

The crowd threw their hands up for Garth Brooks' thumping rendition of "Shout!" supported by a massive choir wearing red and blue jackets against the cold.

The crowd, including Obama and Biden, were writhing when Stevie Wonder, Usher, and Shakira pumped out Wonder's classic "Higher Ground."

Sheryl Crow and will.i.am performed "One Love," and golf great Tiger Woods, the son of a military man, urged the audience to remember the sacrifices of military families.

The event began with a convocation by the Right Rev. Gene Robinson, who asked the crowd to pray for "understanding that our president is a human being and not a messiah."

'Paul Blart: Mall Cop' nabs top box office spot

Reuters LOS ANGELES – Kevin James bumbles and stumbles to take down the bad guys, but his "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" had no trouble nabbing the top spot at the box office this weekend.

The PG-rated comedy, starring James as a portly shopping center security guard who tries to foil a bank heist, made $33.8 million in its first three days and is expected to reach $40 million over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

That far surpasses expectations, said Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution for Sony, which released the movie.

"We had a lot of screenings as well as tracking that was good on it. We were hopeful we could do in the range of $25 million for four days and that would have been a terrific result for us. But now it looks like we're going to do $40 million for four days, and that is just, like, a 'wow' number," Bruer said Sunday. "It totally speaks to just how much audiences love Kevin James, No. 1, and how hard he worked to promote this film."

After proving his value as a sidekick to Will Smith in "Hitch" and Adam Sandler in "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry," James shows here he can also be a reliable leading man, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box-office tracker Media by Numbers.

"In these tough, recession-laden times, you'd think people wouldn't want a movie that's based around a mall, but they totally do," Dergarabedian said. "Kevin James has that everyman quality. People relate to him."

Last week's No. 1 movie, "Gran Torino," dropped to second place but only by 25 percent. The Warner Bros. drama, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood as a bigot who becomes a reluctant neighborhood hero, made $22.2 million this weekend for a cumulative gross of $73.2 million.

Among other new releases, the Lionsgate horror flick "My Bloody Valentine 3-D" opened at the No. 3 spot with $21.9 million.

Fourth was "Notorious," about slain rapper Notorious B.I.G., which made $21.5 million. That's the biggest opening ever for Fox Searchlight, which previously released such critical darlings and crowd-pleasers as "Juno" and "Little Miss Sunshine."

"It's a very high quality film, and it's a compelling look at a compelling cultural icon who, like many cultural icons, left way too early but left an indelible mark on society," said Chris Aronson, senior vice president of domestic distribution for 20th Century Fox.

The week's other new wide release, the Paramount family comedy "Hotel for Dogs," opened at No. 5 with $17.7 million. Over at Paramount Vantage, "Defiance," based on the true story of Jews who survived the Holocaust by forming a community in the forests of Belarus, did well in its nationwide expansion. The movie starring Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber made $9.8 million to reach the No. 8 spot.

The big winner at last weekend's Golden Globes, "Slumdog Millionaire," crept into the No. 10 spot with $5.9 million. The Fox Searchlight drama about a teen who rises from the slums of Mumbai to become a game show champion won awards for best picture, director (Danny Boyle), screenplay and original score.

Now playing in limited release in 582 theaters, "Slumdog" will expand to more than 1,200 theaters next weekend following Thursday's Academy Award nominations. It's made a total of $42.7 million in 10 weeks.

"You can see the impact of the Golden Globe winnings and, also, people are just discovering this film so we're able to keep growing our audience," said Richard Shamban, vice president of theatrical distribution for Fox Searchlight.

Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Tuesday.

1. "Paul Blart: Mall Cop," $33.8 million.
2. "Gran Torino," $22.2 million.
3. "My Bloody Valentine 3-D," $21.9 million.
4. "Notorious," $21.5 million.
5. "Hotel for Dogs," $17.7 million.
6. "Bride Wars," $11.75 million.
7. "The Unborn," $9.8 million.
8. "Defiance," $9.2 million.
9. "Marley & Me," $6.3 million.
10. "Slumdog Millionaire," $5.9 million.

Sundance opens with hope for indie film

PARK CITY, Utah (Reuters) – The 25th Sundance Film Festival opened on Thursday with founder Robert Redford sounding an optimistic note for cinematic art and an artful movie challenging audiences to laugh through the pain of an imperfect world.

The Australian animated film "Mary and Max," a tale of misfits on opposite sides of the globe who find friendship by becoming pen pals, was described by festival director Geoffrey Gilmore as being about "compassion, love, friendship and ideas."

It seemed a fitting opening for 25th anniversary of the top U.S. festival for independent film; while it illustrates the broadening of "indie" movies -- it has a global perspective and uses stop-motion technology and clay figures -- "Mary and Max" reminds audiences that films made outside Hollywood's mainstream often deal with human frailty.

"It's not the sort of story you'd see from (Hollywood studios) DreamWorks or Pixar. It deals with different or marginalized characters," director Adam Elliot told Reuters. "It's something a bit odd. But at the end of the day, it's supposed to be a feel-good film."

Sundance, backed by Redford's Sundance Institute for filmmaking, has long championed non-mainstream work.

When it began in 1985, the festival's low-budget movies often centered on human dramas, and as past Sundance films like "sex, lies and videotape" and "Clerks" proved profitable, the indie market began to grow.

The range of independent films broadened to include more comedy and technology, and the movies became more global in their scope. Sundance has helped usher in those changes.

TOUGH TO BE INDIE

But in 2008, the industry fell on hard times. Mighty distributors like Paramount Vantage and Warner Independent Pictures ceased to exist or changed business plans.

The quality and range of independent movies had improved with titles such as "Little Miss Sunshine" or "Napoleon Dynamite," but with that came more independent films competing to reach theaters. Revenues per film have fallen.

Still, Redford believes independent filmmakers will find new ways to make movies and reach fans, and at Thursday's premiere of "Mary and Max" he saw the upcoming inauguration of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama as a harbinger for change in the art of cinema.

"I'm actually thinking positive because when times are bad, there's always an opportunity for artists," Redford told the opening night audience.

Sundance runs through January 25 and reaches its climax at a closing ceremony where awards for the best independent films, directors, writers and cinematographers will be given in categories for dramas and documentaries. The festival recognizes films from the United States and around the world.

Over the next 10 days, stars including Chris Rock, Ben Affleck, Ashton Kutcher, Amy Poehler and newcomer Kristen Stewart, star of "Twilight," are expected to hit town.

While this year's Sundance has been overshadowed by the recession, organizers say ticket sales are up from 2008.

So, while Hollywood studios have scaled back travel to the festival -- several executives and talent agents told Reuters they were bringing five to 10 percent less staff -- and clearly there are fewer companies hawking their wares and clamoring for media attention, movie lovers remain in theaters.

They are looking for a little laughter, some new technology and maybe even human frailty -- the stuff of life.

"Art," Redford said. "will always find a way."

Emily Blunt targets 'Iron Man 2'

Another day, another "Iron Man 2" casting rumour.

Variety claims Emily Blunt may be cast in the superhero sequel as Natasha Romanoff, also known as Russian assassin The Black Widow. In the Marvel comic books, Romanoff begins life as a foil to both Tony Stark and his alter ego Iron Man. She eventually mends her ways and joins Iron Man in the supergroup The Avengers. Should writer Jon Favreau choose to follow the Marvel Ultimate storyline, Romanoff's role is considerably darker and more morally ambiguous.

The movie's casting has made news this month. Yesterday, Samuel L. Jackson raised questions about whether he'd reprise his role as superspy Nick Fury in "Iron Man 2," not to mention a host of other Marvel movies. Last week, "The Wrestler" star Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell circled villainous roles; Rourke is rumored to be in the running for Russian mercenary Crimson Dynamo, while Rockwell's potential role has not been revealed.

Blunt, 25, can be seen this year in "The Wolfman," a remake of the classic Universal monster movie, alongside Benicio del Toro.

Fall Out Boy maps big spring tour

Fall Out Boy has revealed dates for a major spring tour in support of the band's recently released fifth studio set, "Folie a Deux."

The alt-rockers will kick off the outing April 9 in Phoenix, AZ, and then head out for more than 30 dates over the following six weeks. Details are included below.

Tickets will be available in eight cities starting the weekend of Jan. 23, with the remainder of tickets going on sale Jan. 31. Check out the band's website for a list of the eight cities where tickets will be available early.

Released Dec. 16, "Folie a Deux" features guest appearances from a number of notable music figures, including several acts off the Decaydence Records roster, Lil Wayne, Pharrell, Debbie Harry and Elvis Costello. The album was originally scheduled for release Nov. 4 to coincide with Election Day before the band had second thoughts.

"This album kind of went a lot differently because we wanted to get the record out originally on the fourth of November," drummer Andy Hurley recently told LiveDaily. "We had a month-and-a-half to two months to do it. It was this awesome challenge to ourselves. We usually have as much time as we want.

"This kind of felt like 'Take This to Your Grave' when we had two weeks or even a week to record it," he added. "Everything we were doing on this record was the first thing that felt right. I think there's something really cool about that."

The new set follows 2007's "Infinity on High," which was the group's first No. 1 album in the US and spawned a pair of Top 10 singles in "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" and "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs."

April 2009
3 - Mesa, AZ - Mesa Amphitheatre
5 - Las Vegas, NV - Pearl
7 - San Jose, CA - SJSU Event Center
8 - Sacramento, CA - Memorial Auditorium
9 - Portland, OR - Expo Center
10 - Seattle, WA - WaMu Theatre
11 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Thunderbird
13 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Great Saltair
14 - Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium
17 - Dallas, TX - Nokia Theatre
18 - Houston, TX - Sam Houston Race Park
19 - New Orleans, LA - Lakefront Arena
21 - Miami, FL - Mizner Auditorium
22 - Orlando, FL - UCF Convocation Center
23 - Atlanta, GA - Gwinnett Arena
24 - Charlotte, NC - Bojangles Coliseum
25 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
26 - Troy, NY - RPI Fieldhouse
28 - Lowell, MA - Tsongas Arena
29 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun

May 2009
1 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier
2 - East Rutherford, NJ - Bamboozle
3 - Memphis, TN - Beale Street Music Festival
5 - Toronto, Ontario - Ricoh Coliseum
6 - Montreal, Quebec - Cepsum de Montreal
8 - Detroit, MI - EMU Convocation Canter
9 - Rosemont, IL - Allstate Arena
12 - Cleveland, OH - TWCA at Tower City
13 - Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion
15 - Indianapolis, IN - The Lawn at White River Park
16 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom
17 - Minneapolis, MN - Roy Wilkins Auditorium

The Dark Knight Returns

Warner Bros. plans to return The Dark Knight to theaters -- including IMAX screens -- on January 23, 2009, one day after Oscar nominations are announced. The film is virtually certain to receive numerous nominations, and critics appear to regard the late Heath Ledger as a shoo-in for best supporting actor for his role as the Joker. The movie is already available on DVD, but Warner Bros. distribution chief Dan Fellman said in a statement today (Thursday) that the studio "wanted to provide one more opportunity for moviegoers to experience it on the big screen as it was meant to be seen."

NBC announces `30 Rock,' `The Office' renewals

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – NBC is renewing Tina Fey's "30 Rock" for the 2009-10 season, along with "The Office" and "The Biggest Loser."

Besides the return of the comedies and the weight-loss reality show, NBC announced Thursday that it has set a premiere date for Amy Poehler's new comedy, a mockumentary about local government. The show, yet to get a title, will debut 8:30 p.m. EST April 9.

"Southland," a new police drama from "ER" executive producer John Wells, also will debut April 9, at 10 p.m. EST.

NBC said that fans of "ER" will get three more episodes than previously announced before the show ends for good, a total of 23. That will push its two-hour finale to April 2.

Angela Bromstad, new president of prime-time entertainment for NBC, weighed in on the fate of other series at a meeting of the Television Critics Association.

Despite a drop in ratings, "Heroes" is secure, Bromstad said. The sci-fi drama, in its third season, "may have taken on too much in terms of characters and multiple story lines," she added.

Bromstad said the network feels "very strongly" about "Life," "Friday Night Lights" and "Lipstick Jungle." She denied reports that "Lipstick Jungle," which stars Brooke Shields, has been canceled.

The network executive's enthusiasm doesn't extend to the new sitcom "Kath & Kim" and "Knight Rider." The two shows were "fair tries" but aren't holding up in the ratings, she said. She called them "indicative of shows that may or may not be coming back."

Bromstad, who was named to her position in December, also oversees production at NBC and Universal Media Studios.

The network finished last season in fourth place and continues to struggle with its scripted programs. None of NBC's four new fall series clicked with viewers, including the already canceled drama "My Own Worst Enemy."

'Slumdog' leads field for British Academy awards

LONDON – Underdog-turned-favorite "Slumdog Millionaire" picked up 11 nominations Thursday for the British Academy film awards, Britain's version of the Oscars.

The British-Indian film about a Mumbai street boy's rise to game-show glory was nominated in six major categories including best picture, best actor for Dev Patel and best director for Danny Boyle. It also received several design nominations.

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," which stars Brad Pitt as a man who ages backward, also was nominated in 11 categories, including best film, best actor and best director for David Fincher.

Double Golden Globe winner Kate Winslet is competing against herself in the best-actress category, with nominations for both "The Reader" and "Revolutionary Road." She is up against Angelina Jolie for "The Changeling," Meryl Streep for "Doubt" and Kristin Scott Thomas for the French film "I've Loved You So Long."

The best-actor nominees are Pitt, Patel of "Slumdog", Sean Penn for "Milk," Frank Langella for "Frost/Nixon" and Mickey Rourke for "The Wrestler."

The winners will be announced at London's Royal Opera House on Feb. 8. The British awards, known as BAFTAs, are considered an important indicator of success at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles two weeks later.

Batman thriller "The Dark Knight" received nine nods, including a best supporting actor nomination for the late Heath Ledger.

Clint Eastwood's L.A. noir "Changeling" is nominated in eight categories, including best director, while political drama "Frost/Nixon" has six nominations including best actor for Frank Langella and best director for Ron Howard.

In addition to "Slumdog" and "Benjamin Button," the best-picture contenders are "Frost/Nixon," inspirational biopic "Milk" and Nazi-themed drama "The Reader."

In the separate category of best British film, the nominees are "Slumdog," ABBA musical "Mamma Mia!" hit-man comedy "In Bruges," Irish hunger-striker drama "Hunger" and tightrope-walking documentary "Man on Wire."

The nominations cement the transformation of "Slumdog" from low-budget outsider to Oscars favorite. Filmed on the streets of Mumbai with a largely Indian cast and partly in Hindi, the film features a tough-but-sweet script from BAFTA-nominated Simon Beaufoy ("The Full Monty") and kinetic direction by Boyle ("Trainspotting," "28 Days Later").

The BAFTAS are also a chance for several highly touted films shut out of the Golden Globe awards — including "Benjamin Button," "Frost/Nixon" and "Doubt" — to regain awards-season momentum.

Among the more offbeat nominations is Robert Downey Jr.'s supporting actor nod for his performance as an overly intense method actor in the lowbrow action comedy "Tropic Thunder."

Run-DMC, Metallica lead list of 2009 Rock Hall

NEW YORK – Run-DMC once hailed themselves as the Kings of Rock, so it's fitting that the pioneering rappers have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Run-DMC joins the heavy metal band Metallica, guitarist and former Yardbirds member Jeff Beck; soul singer and guitarist Bobby Womack and doo-wop group Little Anthony and the Imperials as this year's inductee class.

Though Run-DMC wasn't among the first rap acts, they were the first to achieve widespread mainstream success, and the first to notch a platinum album with 1986's "Raising Hell." The rapping duo of Joseph "Run" Simmons and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels — plus their DJ, the late Jam Master Jay — were rap's first rock stars. They had hits with songs like "My Adiddas" and "It's Tricky," but had their greatest success when they remade Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" with the rock act for a groundbreaking collaboration.

In an interview Wednesday, McDaniels called Run-DMC's induction "inconceivable."

"I'm a rap dude, I'm an MC from Hollis (a neighborhood in New York's borough of Queens), just rockin' the mic, and to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with the Beatles, and (Bob) Dylan, and the rock 'n' roll gods? It's ridiculous! Ridiculous in a good way," he said.

He also gave a nod to the predecessors who paved the way for the group's success: "I share this nomination and the induction and the whole award with those cats, everyone from the Bronx and Harlem who started this."

Jam Master Jay — whose real name was Jason Mizell — was shot to death in his recording studio in 2002. McDaniels doesn't consider the induction bittersweet — "because Jay isn't here to celebrate doesn't mean he's not partaking in this event" — but said he couldn't see the duo performing during the April 4 induction ceremony in Cleveland without him.

"We can't do it without Jay," he said. "I want people to remember the last time they saw us together, the three of us."

Like Run-DMC, Metallica made its debut 25 years ago with the seminal album "Kill 'Em All," and became pioneers in their genre, with their thrashing metal sound, led by the frenetic guitar play of James Hetfield and the drumming of Lars Ulrich. One of rock's more enduring bands, the group has sold upwards of 60 million records in the United States alone, and are still one of music's most successful acts: They are on a top-selling tour, their latest album, "Death Magnetic," has sold more than a million copies and has also been nominated for Grammy awards.

"Life is good in Metallica right now. A lot of good things are happening. Quite opposite of what they were during the `St. Anger' time," said Hetfield, referring to the 2003 CD that was reviled by many Metallica fans.

The group — which also consists of guitarist Kirk Hammett and bass player Robert Trujillo — also went through periods of infighting (famously chronicled in the 2004 documentary "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster").

"So all the work and effort that we put into our relationship back then has brought a lot of fruits of labor with that, on this album, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Grammys. So we're feeling good," Hetfield added.

He also said the honor was for everyone who had played with the group: Late bassist Cliff Burton and bassist Jason Newsted, who will also be inducted.

Cleveland native Womack, who was part of the group the Womack Brothers until breaking out on his own with hits including "If You Think You're Lonely Now," said the induction ceremony would bring him back home for the first time in almost three decades.

"This is just the greatest, I'm extremely happy," he said. "It proves that, if you're blessed to be able to wait on what's important to you, a lot of things will change in life."

Besides the main inductees, rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson got a nod for the early influence category, and the sidemen inductees are session musician Spooner Oldham and two of Elvis Presley's musicians — drummer D.J. Fontana and bassist Bill Black.

The induction ceremony is returning to Cleveland after several years in New York City. It will aired live by the Fuse network.

The hall of fame also announced on Wednesday that Bruce Springsteen will be the focus of a new exhibit called "From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen." It opens April 1.

'Prisoner' actor Patrick McGoohan dies in LA

LOS ANGELES – Patrick McGoohan, the Emmy-winning actor who created and starred in the cult classic television show "The Prisoner," has died. He was 80.

McGoohan died Tuesday in Los Angeles after a short illness, his son-in-law, film producer Cleve Landsberg, said.

McGoohan won two Emmys for his work on the Peter Falk detective drama "Columbo," and more recently appeared as King Edward Longshanks in the 1995 Mel Gibson film "Braveheart."

But he was most famous as the character known only as Number Six in "The Prisoner," a sci-fi tinged 1960s British series in which a former spy is held captive in a small enclave known only as The Village, where a mysterious authority named Number One constantly prevents his escape.

McGoohan came up with the concept and wrote and directed several episodes of the show, which has kept a devoted following in the United States and Europe for four decades.

His agent, Sharif Ali, said Wednesday that McGoohan was still active in Hollywood, with two offers for wide-release films on the table when he died. "The man was just cool," Ali said. "It was an honor to have him here and work with him. ... He was one of those actors, a real actor. He didn't have a lie."

Born in New York on March 19, 1928, McGoohan was raised in England and Ireland, where his family moved shortly after his birth. He had a busy stage career before moving to television, and won a London Drama Critics Award for playing the title role in the Henrik Ibsen play "Brand."

He married stage actress Joan Drummond in 1951. The oldest of their three daughters, Catherine, is also an actress.

His first foray into TV was in 1964 in the series "Danger Man," a more straightforward spy show that initially lasted just one season but was later brought back for three more when its popularity — and McGoohan's — exploded in reruns.

Weary of playing the show's lead John Drake, McGoohan pitched to producers the surreal and cerebral "The Prisoner" to give himself a challenge.

The series ran just one season and 17 episodes in 1967, but its cultural impact remains.

He voiced his Number Six character in an episode of "The Simpsons" in 2000. The show is being remade as a series for AMC that premieres later this year.

"His creation of 'The Prisoner' made an indelible mark on the sci-fi, fantasy and political thriller genres, creating one of the most iconic characters of all time," AMC said in a statement Wednesday. "AMC hopes to honor his legacy in our re-imagining of 'The Prisoner.'"

Later came smaller roles in film and television. McGoohan won Emmys for guest spots on "Columbo" 16 years apart, in 1974 and 1990.

He also appeared as a warden in the 1979 Clint Eastwood film "Escape from Alcatraz" and as a judge in the 1996 John Grisham courtroom drama "A Time To Kill."

His last major role was in "Braveheart," in what The Associated Press called a "standout" performance as the brutal king who battles Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace, played by Gibson.

In his review of the film for the Los Angeles Times critic Peter Rainer said "McGoohan is in possession of perhaps the most villainous enunciation in the history of acting."

McGoohan is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Ricardo Montalban dies at 88

LOS ANGELES – Ricardo Montalban, the Mexican-born actor who became a star in splashy MGM musicals and later as the wish-fulfilling Mr. Roarke in TV's "Fantasy Island," died Wednesday morning at his home, his family said. He was 88.

Montalban's death was first announced at a city council meeting by president Eric Garcetti, who represents the district where the actor lived. He died "from complications of advancing age," his son-in-law, Gilbert Smith, later said.

"He was so gracious, and Aaron was always humbled by Ricardo's gratitude for 'Fantasy Island," said Candy Spelling, wife of the late Aaron Spelling, who created the show. "I miss him already, and wish his family well."

Montalban had been a star in Mexican movies when MGM brought him to Hollywood in 1946. He was cast in the leading role opposite Esther Williams in "Fiesta," and starred again with the swimming beauty in "On an Island with You" and "Neptune's Daughter."

But Montalban was best known as the faintly mysterious, white-suited Mr. Roarke, who presided over a tropical island resort where visitors fulfilled their lifelong dreams — usually at the unexpected expense of a difficult life lesson. "I am Mr. Roarke, your host. Welcome to Fantasy Island," he told arriving guests.

Montalban had already coined a cultural catchphrase before the show, which ran from 1978 to 1984. As the celebrity spokesman for mid-1970s models of the Chrysler Cordoba, Montalban unwittingly opened himself up to endless imitation when he described the car's optional seats as being "available in soft, Corinthian leather."

More recently, he appeared as villains in two hits of the 1980s: "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan" and — in line with his always-apparent sense of humor about himself — the farcical "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad."

Montalban's longtime friend and publicist David Brokaw said the actor was "exactly how you'd imagine him to be" off camera. "What you saw on the screen and on television and on talk shows, this very courtly, modest, dignified individual, that's exactly who he was," Brokaw said.

Raul Yzaguirre, longtime president of National Council of La Raza, called Montalban "a hero" and noted the actor's contributions to his community. Montalban helped found the ALMA Awards, which honor and encourage fair portrayals of Latinos in entertainment.

"He was just a marvelous human being and an inspiration to be around," Yzaguirre said. "I hope his spirit pervades more of Hollywood — the spirit of humility and excellence and giving back to the community and just plain decency."

Between movie and TV roles, Montalban was active in the theater. He starred on Broadway in the 1957 musical "Jamaica" opposite Lena Horne, picking up a Tony nomination for best actor in a musical.

Montalban also toured in Shaw's "Don Juan in Hell," playing Don Juan, a performance critic John Simon later recalled as "irresistible." In 1965 he appeared on tour in the Yul Brynner role in "The King and I."

"Fantasy Island" received high ratings for most of its run on ABC, and still appears in reruns. Mr. Roarke and his sidekick, Tattoo, played by the 3-foot, 11-inch Herve Villechaize, reached the state of TV icons. Villechaize died in 1993.

In a 1978 interview, Montalban analyzed the ethereal quality of his character: "Was he a magician? A hypnotist? Did he use hallucinogenic drugs? I finally came across a character that works for me. He has the essence of mystery, but I need a point of view so that my performance is consistent. I now play him 95 percent believable and 5 percent mystery. He doesn't have to behave mysteriously; only what he does is mysterious."

In 1970, Montalban organized fellow Latino actors into an organization called Nosotros ("We"), and he became the first president. Their aim: to improve the image of Spanish-speaking Americans on the screen; to assure that Latin-American actors were not discriminated against; to stimulate Latino actors to study their profession.

Montalban commented in a 1970 interview:

"The Spanish-speaking American boy sees Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid wipe out a regiment of Bolivian soldiers. He sees `The Wild Bunch' annihilate the Mexican army. It's only natural for him to say, `Gee, I wish I were an Anglo.'"

Montalban was no stranger to prejudice. He was born Nov. 25, 1920, in Mexico City, the son of parents who had emigrated from Spain. The boy was brought up to speak the Castilian Spanish of his forebears. To Mexican ears that sounded strange and effeminate, and young Ricardo was jeered by his schoolmates.

His mother also dressed him with old-country formality, and he wore lace collars and short pants "long after my legs had grown long and hairy," he wrote in his 1980 autobiography, "Reflections: A Life in Two Worlds."

"It is not easy to grow up in a country that has different customs from your own family's."

While driving through Texas with his brother, Montalban recalled seeing a sign on a diner: "No Dogs or Mexicans Allowed." In Los Angeles, where he attended Fairfax High School, he and a friend were refused entrance to a dance hall because they were Mexican.

Rather than seek a career in Hollywood, Montalban played summer stock in New York. He returned to Mexico City and played leading roles in movies from 1941 to 1945. That led to an MGM contract.

"Movies were never kind to me; I had to fight for every inch of film," he reflected in 1970. "Usually my best scenes would end up on the cutting-room floor."

Montalban had better luck after leaving MGM in 1953, though he was usually cast in ethnic roles. He appeared as a Japanese kabuki actor in "Sayonara" and an Indian in "Cheyenne Autumn." His other films included "Madame X," "The Singing Nun," "Sweet Charity," "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" and "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes."

Montalban was sometimes said to be the source of Billy Crystal's "you look MAHvelous" character on "Saturday Night Live," though the inspiration was really Argentinian-born actor Fernando Lamas.

In 1944, Montalban married Georgiana Young, actress and model and younger sister of actress Loretta Young. Both Roman Catholics, they remained one of Hollywood's most devoted couples. She died in 2007. They had four children: Laura, Mark, Anita and Victor.

Montalban suffered a spinal injury in a horse fall while making a 1951 Clark Gable Western, "Across the Wide Missouri," and thereafter walked with a limp he managed to mask during his performances.

Despite the constant pain that grew worse as the decades wore on, the actor was able to take a role in an Aaron Spelling TV series, "Heaven Help Us." Twice a month in 1994, he flew to San Antonio for two or three days of filming as an angel who watched over a young couple.

And when asked to play the grandfather in "Spy Kids 2" and "Spy Kids 3," Montalban told filmmaker Robert Rodriguez in his self-effacing way: "I'm old. I'm in a wheelchair. And I have a Mexican accent. Three strikes and you're out," recalled Joel Brokaw, another of the actor's spokesmen.

"But Robert Rodriguez idolized Ricardo, and came up to his home in the Hollywood Hills to convince him to do the role," Brokaw said. He did, and despite his obvious pain while waiting to do a scene, "something miraculous would happen," Brokaw said. "As soon as Rodriguez said 'Action,' his pain would completely disappear, time and time again. I asked him about this. He smiled and said, 'It's impossible for my mind to do two things at once.'"

Montalban is survived by daughters Laura and Anita, sons Victor and Mark and six grandchildren.

Warner eyes cuts, "Watchmen" talks proceed

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Warner Bros is considering ways to slash its budget by 10 percent, saving tens of millions of dollars via layoffs or other steps, as the studio nears an expected settlement of a dispute with a rival house over its upcoming "Watchmen" film.

Warner joins rivals from Sony Corp's Sony Pictures to Walt Disney Co in trying to offset falling film and flat DVD revenues in a rocky U.S. economy.

"No decisions have been made," said a Warner Bros spokesman regarding the cost cuts, which are widely expected to result in an unspecified number of layoffs at the studio, which released the blockbuster Batman movie, "The Dark Knight."

Warner Bros is owned by Time Warner Inc, which last week projected a loss for the year, compared with a previous forecast of earnings of $1.04 to $1.07 per share.

Meanwhile, another drama continues to unfold with Warner's upcoming high-profile release of "Watchmen," which is the focus of a copyright infringement battle between Warner and News Corp's Twentieth Century Fox.

The two studios began negotiating last week and are expected to announce a settlement soon, enabling Warner to release the film in March as scheduled.

Both Fox and Warner said on Tuesday settlement talks were continuing, with one studio executive describing them as "fruitful."

Warner Bros produced the movie based on a 1980s comic book series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons about superheroes operating under the specter of nuclear annihilation.

But Fox, which acquired the rights to the "Watchmen" story in 1986, claims it has a continuing stake in the film, and U.S. District Judge Gary Feess last month ruled that the studio owned "at the very least, a distribution right" in the film.

Because of the settlement talks, Feess -- presiding over the copyright dispute -- delayed a decision on Friday on whether or not to move up a January 20 hearing.

Warner's filmed entertainment group's revenue in the third quarter, which ended in September, fell 9 percent to $2.88 billion. The expected cost cuts at the studio falls in line with similar actions at various other entertainment companies.

The film studio, which produced the hit "The Dark Knight," cut production last year and streamlined its operations by eliminating various units like Warner Independent and absorbing New Line Cinema.

Jackie Chan circles "Karate Kid" remake

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Jackie Chan soon could be mentoring a karate kid.

The action hero is in negotiations to star in Columbia's remake of "The Karate Kid." He would take on the role of mentor Mr. Miyagi, made famous by Pat Morita in the original franchise.

Jaden Smith, son of actor Will Smith, would play Miyagi's young protege, a role originally played by Ralph Macchio. The studio also has signed Harald Zwart ("Agent Cody Banks") to direct the picture, which possibly will begin shooting this year in Beijing.

Like the original, the movie will examine the relationship between a martial arts expert and a boy who is picked on by bullies.

Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment is producing along with the original film's producer Jerry Weintraub. The setting will be relocated from the United States to China.

Chan, who next appears in the action-comedy "The Spy Next Door," has massive appeal overseas, which undoubtedly appealed to Columbia. His "Rush Hour" franchise with Chris Tucker has earned about $750 million worldwide.

Rickey runs to the Hall, As Henderson, Rice get elected

BOSTON - Down to his last at-bat, Jim Rice made it into the baseball Hall of Fame.

The former Boston Red Sox slugger was elected to the Cooperstown shrine on Monday in what was to be his final year of eligibility, getting seven votes more than needed. He is the third player elected by the baseball writers in his final year, joining Red Ruffing (1967) and Ralph Kiner (1975).

"I don't think it matters what ballot I was on as long as I got in. That was the key thing right there," he said in a conference call. "Everything was timing, because my numbers have not changed over the last 22 years. The only thing I can say is I'm glad it's over with. I'm in there and they can't take it away."

Rice will join career stolen bases and runs scored leader Rickey Henderson at the July 26 induction ceremony. Also to be honoured are former Yankees and Indians second baseman Joe Gordon, elected last month by the Veterans Committee, as well as broadcaster Tony Kubek and writer Nick Peters, the winners of the Frick and Spink awards, respectively.

Rice received 412 votes of the 539 ballots cast for 76.4 per cent, topping the required 75 per cent. Last year he was 16 votes shy, sending him back to the members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America for a 15th and final time before he would be relegated to the Veterans Committee.

"It's about time," said former teammate Fred Lynn, who edged Rice for the 1975 rookie of the year award. "Throw out the statistics. Jimmy was the dominant force in his era. That's really all you can say when you're trying to compare guys that played in the '70s and '80s to the guys that are playing now. ... In his heyday, Jimmy was a feared hitter."

Henderson, who received 94.8 per cent of the votes, appeared in 72 games for Boston in 2002. Rice and Henderson will be the 20th and 21st left-fielders to be inducted and the first since Red Sox great Carl Yastrzemski, who preceded Rice in the shadow of the Green Monster and entered Cooperstown in 1989.

Rice joins Yaz, Ted Williams and Bobby Doerr as the only Hall of Famers who played their entire careers for Boston. "It was long overdue," Yastrzemski said.

From 1974-89, Rice batted .298 with 382 home runs and 1,451 RBIs, earning eight all-star selections and finishing in the top five in AL MVP voting six times. He won the award in 1978 when he batted .315 with 213 hits, 46 home runs, 139 RBIs, a .600 slugging percentage and 406 total bases - the only AL player to top 400 since Joe DiMaggio in 1937.

"It was the most dynamic offensive year that I have every played with anybody," Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley said.

Rice drove in 100 or more runs eight times when runs were more scarce than today, batted over .300 seven times and topped 200 hits four times. He is the only player in major league history with at least 35 homers and 200 hits in three consecutive seasons (1977-79).

He helped Boston reach the World Series in 1975 and 1986.

THEY'RE GOLDEN: SPRINGSTEEN & ROURKE WIN FOR THE WRESTLER

Last night at the Golden Globes, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa shared a table with fellow Wrestler players such as Darren Aronfsky, Evan Rachel Wood, and Mickey Rourke, and it was a big night for the film. Springsteen didn't have to wait long for his moment, as "Best Original Song" was the second award of the night, and "The Wrestler" took the honor. Springsteen made his way to the stage to receive the statue from his old pal Sting and give his thanks.

This is the only time I'm gonna be in competition with Clint Eastwood [laughs]. Felt pretty good, too!

Anyway, Mickey called me in Ireland and he asked me for some music.He told me a little bit about the character; he said some people invest themselves in their pain, and they turn away from love and the things that strengthen and nurture their lives. He said this was a guy that hadn't figured that out. So I said, "Well, I know a couple of those guys...." And so, the song.

First and foremost, I'd like to thank Mickey -- without the call I wouldn't have written the song, without his inspiration -- thank you, brother, for a beautiful performance, thank you for thinking of me!

I'd like to thank Darren and all the folks involved with the film, for letting me be a small part of their picture -- thank you.

Love to my strong and lovely wife Patti; hello to Evan, Jess and Sam at home; happy birthday, Big Man Clarence Clemons!

Springsteen appeared rightfully pleased with his own award, but not quite as happy as at the end of the night, when the announcement of Rourke as Best Actor was clearly the big thrill. Talking about the long road back to this moment, Mickey saved his final thanks -- right after a moving thanks to his dogs -- for the Boss: "I wanna thank Bruce Springsteen... for everything, brother -- love you! Thank you so much."

Congratulations Mickey, congratulations Bruce!

Andy Richter Controls the Universe - Incredible News for Andy Richter Fans: The Complete Series is Coming to DVD!

ANDY RICHTER CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE was touted as "the funniest new sitcom of the spring" (2002) by TIME magazine and declared by US Magazine to have "scaled new heights." Set in Chicago, the half hour comedy chronicles the day to day happenings of Andy Richter, an aspiring short story writer working for a large corporation writing "how to" manuals. Andy is constantly thinking about possibilities and how every moment in life could just as easily go another way. Stars: Andy Richter, Paget Brewster, Irene Molloy, Jonathan Slavin, James Patrick Stuart

After more than seven years writing and co-hosting Late Night with Conan O'Brien, sidekick Andy Richter moved to the forefront in 2002 with the first television series he starred in, Fox Network's Andy Richter Controls the Universe. It ran over the course of two seasons, and while the mass ratings weren't there for the broadcasts, the series has developed a very devoted following of fans who have passionately wanted a DVD release for the program. We've got great news for all of you this morning!

Paramount Home Entertainment has announced that Andy Richter Controls the Universe - The Complete Series is coming out on March 24th. The 417-minute collection of 19 episodes will be presented in full screen video, with English - Stereo audio and closed captioning for the hearing impaired. Pricing and package art aren't available yet, but stay tuned.

Guest stars during the show's run include Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men), Erik Estrada (CHiPs), Molly Sims (Las Vegas), Conan O'Brien (Late Night with Conan O'Brien), Rose Marie (The Dick Van Dyke Show), Charles Robinson (Night Court) and June Lockhart (Lost in Space, Lassie, Petticoat Junction). Don't miss them!

Superbad star Seth Rogen to star in The Simpsons

Seth Rogen is to star in The Simpsons. The Superbad actor has written an episode of the hit US series, and has cast himself as a lead character.

Matt Groening, the creator of the cartoon, confirmed rumours Rogen had approached the show.

Matt said: “He wrote an episode we’ll be reading soon, where Comic-Book Guy creates a superhero comic which then gets made into a feature film. Homer plays the lead and to slim down, Seth Rogen will play his personal trainer.”

Matt also revealed most people do not know the long-running TV series is still produced as traditionally as possible.

He explained to Nuts magazine: “Every episode is still drawn by hand but we no longer have animators willing to ink and paint actual stories, so it’s all done on computer.

“To get continuity with the way the way it was done traditionally, we dirty up the picture and make it look the way it used to, with a lot of dirt on the drawings, so no one knows it’s done by computer.”

Beyonce, Wonder, Springsteen at inaugural event

NEW YORK – Judging by the lineup, Sunday's inaugural celebration for Barack Obama at the Lincoln Memorial is a coveted gig for music's top names.

Beyonce, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban and James Taylor are among the musicians scheduled to perform Sunday afternoon. The president-elect and his family are expected to attend.

HBO will televise the show at 7 p.m. EST on Sunday on an open feed, meaning the pay cable network will offer the telecast for free to cable and satellite customers.

Other performers include Stevie Wonder, Renee Fleming, Garth Brooks, Mary J. Blige, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend and Jennifer Nettles. Historical passages will be read by Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington.

'Slumdog Millionaire' wins 4 at Golden Globes

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – "Slumdog Millionaire" lived up to its underdog theme at Sunday's Golden Globes, sweeping all four of its categories, including best drama and director for Danny Boyle.

Kate Winslet won two Globes all on her own, best dramatic actress for "Revolutionary Road" and supporting actress for "The Reader." "The Wrestler" also had two, dramatic actor for Mickey Rourke and best song for Bruce Springsteen.

"Golden Globes, or the GGs as we very affectionately refer to them — your mad, pulsating affection for our film is much appreciated. Really, deeply appreciated," Boyle said.

"Slumdog Millionaire" also won best screenplay and musical score, firming up its prospects for the Academy Awards. The film features a generally unknown cast in the story of an orphan boy in Mumbai who rises from terrible hardship to become a champ on India's version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," all the while trying to reunite with a lost love from his childhood.

"We really weren't expecting to be here in America at all at one time, so it's just amazing to be here," said Simon Beaufoy, whose winning script was adapted from Vikas Swarup's novel "Q & A."

Winslet, who has previously been nominated five times without winning at both the Globes and Oscars, won for her role as a woman in a crumbling marriage in "Revolutionary Road" and as a former Nazi concentration camp guard in "The Reader."

"Revolutionary Road" was directed by Winslet's husband, Sam Mendes, and reunited her with her "Titanic" co-star Leonardo DiCaprio.

To DiCaprio, Winslet gushed: "I've loved you for 13 years and your performance in this film is nothing short of spectacular." To Mendes, she added: "Thank you for directing this film, babe, and thank you for killing us every single day and really enjoying us actually being in such horrific pain."

Woody Allen's Spanish romance "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" won for best musical or comedy film.

The three films that led the Globe field with five nominations each — "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Doubt" and "Frost/Nixon" — all were shut out.

As expected, the late Heath Ledger earned the supporting-actor Globe for his diabolical turn as the Joker in the Batman blockbuster "The Dark Knight." The Globe win boosts Ledger's prospects for the supporting-actor honor at the Oscars, whose nominations come out Jan. 22, the one-year anniversary of the actor's death from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

The award was accepted by "The Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan, who said he and his collaborators were buoyed by the enormous acclaim and acceptance the film and Ledger's performance have gained worldwide.

"All of us who worked with Heath on `The Dark Knight' accept with an awful mixture of sadness but incredible pride," Nolan said. "After Heath passed, you saw a hole ripped in the future of cinema."

Only one actor has ever won a posthumous Oscar, best-actor recipient Peter Finch for 1976's "Network."

Rourke won for a role as a former wrestling star who gets a last chance at glory in the ring, a theme that mirrors the actor's life after he derailed his career with bad-boy behavior.

"It's been a very long road back for me," said Rourke, who poured out his thanks to "The Wrestler" director Darren Aronofsky.

"I've said this before, in sports especially which I can relate to, really, truly great players come around every 30 years, and I really, truly believe Darren is one of those cats," Rourke said.

Other acting winners were Sally Hawkins as musical or comedy actress for her role as an eternal optimist in "Happy-Go-Lucky"; and Colin Farrell for musical or comedy actor for "In Bruges," in which he plays a hit man laying low in a Belgian tourist town.

Hawkins, a relatively unknown British actress and newcomer to Hollywood's awards scenes, was visibly nervous accepting her prize.

"I'll try and get through as much as my voice and nerves and knees will let me," said Hawkins, thanking family, cast mates and collaborators on the film, including director Mike Leigh.

The robot romance "WALL-E" won for best animated feature. Director Andrew Stanton thanked producer Pixar Animation and distributor Walt Disney, saying the unusual love story between two robots who communicate in beeps and squeaks "couldn't have been made anywhere else."

The foreign-language film prize went to Israel's "Waltz With Bashir," director Ari Forman's animated documentary about a soldier struggling to recall suppressed memories of his involvement in the war with Lebanon.

Among TV categories, "30 Rock" won best comedy series, with stars Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin earning the acting Globes in a musical or comedy. "Mad Men" won best TV drama.

The 66th annual Globes, the town's second-biggest movie celebration after the Academy Awards, returned to their somewhat boozy glory.

Last year's Globe show was scrapped after stars said they would stay away in honor of picket lines by the Writers Guild of America, which was engaged in a bitter strike against producers. In its place was a briskly paced news conference where winners were announced from a podium.

The Globes serve as a barometer for potential Oscar contenders, often singling out deserving newcomers who might have been overlooked among bigger-name stars. Relative unknown Hilary Swank won for dramatic actress at the Globes for 1999's "Boys Don't Cry," then went on to an upset win at the Oscars over Annette Bening, who had been considered the front-runner for "American Beauty." This year's Oscar ceremony comes on Feb. 22.

The Globes are presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a group of about 90 reporters covering show business for overseas outlets.

Clint Eastwood's `Gran Torino' tops box office

NEW YORK – Make my weekend. Clint Eastwood has had the best movie opening of his long and esteemed career. His "Gran Torino" revved up the winter box office with $29 million in ticket sales in its first weekend of wide release, according to studio estimates Sunday.

It's Eastwood's best opening ever, topping the $18 million his "Space Cowboys" made in 2000.

In what Eastwood, 78, has said may be his last starring performance, he plays a disgruntled war veteran who reluctantly comes to the aid of his neighbors.

The National Board of Review dubbed Eastwood's performance the best for an actor in 2008, and his song "Gran Torino" was nominated for a Golden Globe at Sunday's awards ceremony.

"Gran Torino," which Eastwood also directed, was previously in limited release for four weeks. It jumped from 84 theaters to 2,808 this weekend after boasting very high theater averages.

"At this stage of his career, I think it's remarkable," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution at Warner Bros., which released "Gran Torino." "There are a lot of younger people that can identify with him in a role like this that maybe haven't seen him a role like this since `Dirty Harry.'"

Eastwood stole the box-office bouquet from Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson. Their wedding comedy "Bride Wars," released by 20th Century Fox, came in second with $21.5 million. The horror film "The Unborn" from Universal Pictures followed with $21.1 million in its debut.

"Marley & Me," the Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson's family dog tale that topped the box office the last two weekends, fell to fourth with $11.4 million and a cumulative total of $124 million for the 20th Century Fox film.

While awards season was heating up, most of the major contenders had solid numbers, though mostly in limited release.

Paramount Vantage's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" took in $9.4 million in its third week of release, bringing its total closer to the century mark with $94 million.

Focus Features' "Milk," Paramount Vantage's "Revolutionary Road" and Fox Searchlight's "The Wrestler" — all with awards hopes at the Globes and beyond — were among the best performers in screen average. Each hopes to continue to build momentum as the Oscars near.

"Defiance," in its second week of limited release, led with a robust $33,000 screen average. "Defiance" stars Daniel Craig in the story of Jewish brothers who form a band of freedom fighters against the Nazis in Eastern Europe.
Fox Searchlight's underdog hit "Slumdog Millionaire" added $3.7 million to its total of $34 million.

The success of "Gran Torino" could boost Eastwood's awards chances. The film was largely overlooked by the Globes, but the Oscars have long supported Eastwood's directorial efforts and awarded his "Million Dollar Baby" best picture in 2005.

"This will raise its profile in a very profound way," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media by Numbers. "Certainly `Gran Torino' is in an excellent position. It's a textbook case of releasing a film in limited, nurturing it for about a month and unleashing it upon the world in a wide release and really capitalizing on that."

That audiences remain so eager to see Eastwood on the screen suggests to Fellman that he should rethink any acting retirement.

"Clint has said this is the last time he's going to be in front of the lens. I hope he reconsiders after this," Fellman said.

Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "Gran Torino," $29 million.
2. "Bride Wars," $21.5 million.
3. "The Unborn," $21.1 million.
4. "Marley & Me," $11.4 million.
5. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," $9.4 million.
6. "Bedtime Stories," $8.6 million.
7. "Valkyrie," $6.7 million.
8. "Yes Man," $6.2 million.
9. "Not Easily Broken," $5.6 million.
10. "Seven Pounds," $3.9 million.

The Couch Potato Report - January 10th, 2009

This week The Couch Potato Report peels a stoner comedy, a traitor, the women and we will end with a Rush!

It is the first Report for 2009, and since I have been away for the past two weeks, I have a combination of releases that are brand new, and a couple of weeks old.

I'll start with a Brand New one, this week's Hot Potato, the stoner comedy PINEAPPLE EXPRESS.

From the Cheech & Chong films of the 1970s, through Dazed and Confused, Half Baked and The Big Lebowski, all the way to Harold & Kumar, and the Trailer Park Boys...there have always been stoner comedies.

The latest cinematic one comes from two Vancouver born writers, Evan Goldberg, and Seth Rogan from KNOCKED UP and THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN,...but, it isn't just a stoner comedy, it is an action-stoner-comedy!

In PINEAPPLE EXPRESS Rogan plays a man who witnesses a murder, and - in a panic - runs back to his dealer, unsure of what to do next.

James Franco from the SPIDERMAN films plays the dealer, and together the two must go on the run to try and avoid the hitman's henchmen who are after them....and wouldn't you know it, they become friends...maybe.

These days James Franco is known for being a semi-serious actor, but he started off in the business doing comedy - along with Seth Rogan in Judd Apatow's great television series FREAK & GEEKS.

His performance in PINEAPPLE EXPRESS is especially entertaining!

Like all Judd Apatow produced or directed films, including FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL and SUPERBAD, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS is not a perfect film. It is a bit too long, and it could have used some editing, especially during one really, really long fight scene at the end...plus, due to the amount of action, profanity and drug use, I just can't recommend this film to everyone...but I sure liked it.

Many of the action scenes are pretty cool, and at times it is laugh out loud funny!

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS is a great action-stoner-comedy...for those of us who like that sort of stuff.

Up next this week is the suspence filled spy thriller TRAITOR.

Don Cheadle from HOTEL RWANDA and the OCEAN'S 11 films stars in TRAITOR as Samir Horn, an Arabic-speaking Sudanese-American and devout Muslim, who seems to be operating as an arms dealer...but there might be more to him than originally meets the eye.

Guy Pearce from LA CONFIDENTIAL and MEMENTO plays an FBI agent who is heading up an investigation into a dangerous international conspiracy, and all clues seem to lead back to Samir, a man who is also a former U.S. Special Operations officer.

Is Samir a traitor, is he not? Well, you are certainly not going to find out from me! TRAITOR is one of those films that the less you know about it going in, the better.

I liked it...no, it isn't a great movie, but it kept me interested right up until the end.

And I can't say that either of those statements are true about the remake of THE WOMEN.

I didn't like it...and I honestly cannot believe I even made it to the end!!

THE WOMEN stars Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing and Jada Pinkett Smith, and features Candice Bergen, Cloris Leachman, Bette Midler and Carrie Fisher.

It is about four friends and the trials and tribulations that people - in this case women - go through.

Love, infidelity, loyalty...you know, life.

It was written and directed by Diane English - who created the TV series MURPHY BROWN - and it is an updated version of the George Cukor-directed 1939 film of the same name, which was based on the 1936 play by Clare Boothe Luce.

Sadly, this remake isn't as interesting as the original, and after a while, no matter how much I loved the actress on screen, it was just blah, blah, blaaaah!!

And I do, I love all of the folks involved with this movie, but the end result is awful!!

I never believed that any of them would still be friends, the writing is done in the style of a TV sitcom and not a movie, and even though we are supposed to care about these women...the movie they are in never really gives us a reason to.

So, I say skip THE WOMEN, there are a few touching moments between Meg Ryan and her daughter's character, but it is just a waste of time.

In fact, in order to be fair to both genders, I also suggest that you skip THE MEN too...the men who star in the film RIGHTEOUS KILL.

And it hurts me to say that since the men are Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino!! I love these guys...but this film is horrible.

Prior to this mess, cinematic legends Pacino and DeNiro had only appeard together in two films THE GODFATHER, PART II - in which they had no scenes together - and HEAT - in which they did...but they weren't shot side by side, they only had the camera on them individually.

In RIGHTEOUS KILL they have dozens of scenes together, and I admit that it is a superb treat to see them acting together, but their performances are restrained by a bad script.

They play two veteran New York City detectives working on a serial killer case, and they come to realize that they might have put the wrong person behind bars.

Sadly, the film is an awful, awful mess! If you can imagine Pacino and DeNiro guest starring on a bad episode of LAW & ORDER, and that is what we have here.

Due to it's pedigree RIGHTEOUS KILL is a movie that you will probably want to see...but know this going in...it is not worthy of your time. Skip it!!

Finally this week, two titles that will appeal to a specific domographic, and if that includes you, then you are in for a treat!! The latest concert DVD from Rush is coming up, but first, the made-in-Vancouver BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - SEASON 4.0.

The great new BATTLESTAR GALACTICA series continues to be a a drama about the fight to save humanity,... that just happens to take place in science-fiction setting.

This is one of the best shows that is currently on television, science fiction, or otherwise, and the superb SEASON 4.0 has come out in a great 4 disc box set!

This Box Set also includes the great movie BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: RAZOR, and the release of SEASON 4.0 on DVD sets the stage for SEASON 4.5, the final part of the entire series, which just happens to begin airing on Friday.

I am really looking forward to the final ten episodes of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and even more so no wthat I have re-watched BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - SEASON 4.0.

Finally this week, the BLU-RAY BEACON shines the spotlight on the Canadian band RUSH and their fantastic release SNAKES & ARROWS LIVE.

If you were one of the thousands that attended the Rush concert in Regina last May 25th, and you wished you had a high definition souvenir of the show, well this is it!!

This is not the Regina show, instead this release was filmed over two performances in Rotterdam, Holland, but it features all of the same filmed clips and music that was played in our province.

Alex, Geddy and Neil are in fantastic form, and just as they were during our concert, they are quite playful as well!!!

RUSH - SNAKES & ARROWS LIVE is a great looking and sounding DVD release, but on Blu-ray it looks and sounds spectacular!!

If you have always loved the band...enjoy!!

The fantastic SNAKES & ARROWS LIVE disc from RUSH is now available on Blu-ray, and you can also find it on DVD as well, along with SEASON 4.0 of the great series BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, the awful RIGHTEOUS KILL, the really awful THE WOMEN, the very interesting thriller TRAITOR and the great stoner-action-comedy PINEAPPLE EXPRESS.

Coming up on the next Couch Potato Report

All three of Mike Myers' AUSTIN POWERS films are being released in one very inexpensive set called AUSTIN POWERS - THE FRANCHISE COLLECTION

CLIP - AUSTIN - Details
TIME - 15 seconds

And I will also discuss SWING VOTE, APPALOOSA, ARRANGES, MIRRORS and a film who's title is such a ethnic slur that I won't even say it.

I'm Dan Reynish. I'll have more on those, and some other releases, in seven days.

For now, that's this week's COUCH POTATO REPORT.

Enjoy the movies and I'll see you back here next time on The Couch!

U2 warn fans of fake tour scam

U2 have warned fans not to buy tickets from touts for a rumoured summer tour, because they are fake.

The message, explaining that the band have no confirmed live dates for the summer yet, was posted on U2.com.

It warned: “No tickets are available and no shows have been announced.
There are no tour dates for the band at the moment so please don't get stung by buying tickets for shows that don't exist."

U2 were the subject of a similar ticket scam last year.

U2 are set to release their new album ‘No Line on the Horizon’ on March 2, the follow up to 2004’s 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb'.

Studios in settlement talks over "Watchmen" film

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Attorneys for two studios fighting over the upcoming superhero movie "Watchmen" told a judge on Friday they were in settlement talks, sources said.

U.S. District Judge Gary Feess, presiding over the copyright dispute between Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros. and News Corp's Twentieth Century Fox, was expected on Friday to rule on whether to move up a January 20 hearing on the movie's planned March 6 release.

But with the attorneys saying they were in talks, Feess delayed his decision on whether to move up the hearing. If there is no settlement, a new date could be set next week.

Warner Bros. produced the movie based on a 1980s comic book series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons about superheroes operating under the specter of nuclear annihilation.

But Fox, which acquired the rights to the "Watchmen" story in 1986, claims it has a continuing stake in the film, and Feess last month ruled that the studio owned "at the very least, a distribution right" in the film.

'Law & Order: SVU' star rips NBC

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- Actor/comedian Richard Belzer blasted NBC for giving its Monday-to-Friday 10 p.m. slot to Jay Leno, describing the situation as "a tragedy" and "the last gasp of a dying network."

Belzer has nothing against Leno personally. But the subject came up when Belzer was asked about his own NBC show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, being forced to move to 9 p.m.

"Jay Leno, of course, is going to be on every night, meaning that thousands of people will be out of work -- actors, producers, writers, wardrobe people," Belzer said. "It may be good for comedy in a limited way, but it's a terrible, terrible trend for network television to take five hours of primetime.

"I'm not denigrating Jay or his show. I just think it's a network that is desperate."

Belzer then prompted laughter by adding, "I'm already signed so they can't really ... "

Belzer, 64, acknowledged the Leno move may be a bottom-line success for NBC.

"It's the last gasp of a dying network that could turn out to be brilliant financially," Belzer said. "But in terms of actors, writers, producers and all these people, I think it's a tragedy, frankly."

Leno currently is the host of The Tonight Show. But back in 2004, NBC was desperate not to lose the then-hot Conan O'Brien to another network, so it promised O'Brien, the host of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, that he could take over The Tonight Show in 2009.

Since then, O'Brien's stock has fallen, while Leno's popularity in the ratings remains strong. Since NBC is having trouble coming up with new scripted or reality shows that people want to watch anyway, it announced last month that Leno would be given a new 10 p.m. talk show, Monday to Friday.

That way, the network gets to keep Leno; it still keeps its promise to O'Brien for The Tonight Show at 11:35 p.m.; and it clears the way for Jimmy Fallon to take over O'Brien's show at 12:35 a.m.

That's a lot of talking every night, though. As Belzer said, if may work financially, but creatively and philosophically, it could be another nail in the coffin of network TV.

Law & Order: SVU certainly deals with some disturbing subject matter, so Belzer was asked if he thinks NBC will ask the creators to lighten up a little for a 9 p.m. audience.

"That's actually a good question because we do deal with some very dark issues of human sexuality," Belzer said. "Unfortunately people never stop doing bad things to each other so we never run out of stories.

"We haven't heard anything from the network about toning it down. I doubt if we will, but it's certainly a legitimate question."

O'Brien takes over The Tonight Show on June 1. The new Leno show will debut in the fall.

Belzer was on hand at the Television Critics Association tour to promote a PBS special titled George Carlin: The Mark Twain Prize, which airs Feb. 4.

Critics' final answer: `Slumdog' wins 5 awards

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – The critics have spoken, and "Slumdog Millionaire" is their final answer.

The rags-to-riches tale won a leading five prizes, including best picture, at Thursday night's Critics' Choice Awards. "Slumdog" also won honors for director Danny Boyle, writer Simon Beaufoy, star Dev Patel and composer A.R. Rahman.

"It's amazing to see how generous you've been to our film," said Boyle, who called the movie "a love song" to Mumbai.

"You're mad really," he continued backstage. "You're a bit like the Indians are mad about movies. When you find a movie you love, you go for it really."

"The Dark Knight" also won a pair of trophies: best action movie and best supporting actor for Heath Ledger. The crowd rose to its feet as the film's director, Christopher Nolan, accepted the award for Ledger.

"I can't presume to speak for him. His voice was as unique as it was original," said Nolan, adding that working with the actor "was one of the greatest experiences any of us ever had or will have."

"His contributions to cinema should be greatly appreciated," Nolan said, "so thanks for this appreciation."

Ledger died of an accidental drug overdose in January 2007.

Sean Penn was another double winner, earning best actor honors and sharing the acting-ensemble prize for "Milk."

A humble Penn said the real Harvey Milk would have been his first choice for the starring role.

"He had the charisma that an actor can only aspire to," Penn said.

Co-star Josh Brolin called Penn's turn as the groundbreaking gay politician "the most incredible performance ever."

Milk came into the contest with eight nominations. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" also had eight nods, but didn't win a single award.

Kate Winslet was named best supporting actress for "The Reader," while Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep tied for best actress for "Rachel Getting Married" and "Doubt" respectively.

"Meryl is my idol," Hathaway said backstage. "To win with my idol who I was nominated against is amazing. I'm so thrilled for her and I'm very thrilled for myself, too."

Winslet and Streep weren't on hand to accept their awards, nor was Bruce Springsteen, who won best song for "The Wrestler," from the movie of the same name.

Director Darren Aronofsky accepted on the Boss' behalf.

"I don't know how you put words into the coolest man's mouth," he said, "so I'll just say thank you."

"WALL-E" was the best animated feature and "Tropic Thunder" was best comedy.

"There's a lot of awards out there, and this one, I think, has the most meaning," said writer, director and star Ben Stiller. "I'm not just saying that because this is the only award our movie was nominated for."

Richard Gere received a standing ovation as he accepted the Joel Siegel award, which recognizes an entertainer's humanitarian efforts. The 59-year-old actor is a longtime supporter of Tibet.

"Clearly I'm undeserving of this," Gere said, urging the audience to "channel all that energy to Tibet."

The 14th annual Critics' Choice Awards, presented by the Broadcast Film Critics Association at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, honored cinematic excellence in 17 categories. The group, which represents more than 200 TV, radio and online critics from the United States and Canada, founded the Critics' Choice Awards in 1995.

Warner Puts DC Comics Film Projects "On Hold"

According to David Goyer of Batman Begins and Blade fame, Warner Brothers has pressed the pause button on "a lot" of in-development superhero projects while the studio reassess their approach to handling the potentially enormously lucrative properties.

In an interview with IESB, Goyer stated, "A lot of the DC movies at Warner Brothers are all on hold while the figure out, they're going to come up with some new plan, methodology, things like that so everything has just been pressed pause on at the moment. It was the double header of both Iron Man and The Dark Knight coming out, so more than ever I think they've realized, I think DC was responsible for 50% of Warner Brother's revunue this year, something crazy like that, so they realized that comic books, it's become a new genre, one of the most successful genres."

Among the superhero projects that Warner is speculated to have in development that are likely affected by this "time out" include:

Justice League of America - George Miller is attached to direct the superhero team-up movie. Megan Gale, Teresa Palmer and Adam Brody are rumored to be on-board to play Wonder Woman, Talia Al Ghul and The Flash, respectively.

Super Max - Goyer has penned this Green Arrow film in which the emerald-toned superhero is sent to a Maximum Security Prison. Superman and The Joker might make cameo appearances, among other popular comic characters.

The Flash - Originally set to be directed by Goyer, David Dobkin (Wedding Crashers) has now taken over the reigns on this fast-man feature. Ryan Reynolds was set to play the character when Goyer was involved but that's no longer the case.

The Man of Steel - The sequel to Superman Returns will see Kal-El going head-to-head with a new villain. This one is always on-and-off as no one seems confident or willing to spend the cash or time on it. Might Warner end up going with Mark Millar's "Superman" trilogy reboot idea?

Batman 3 - The inevitable second sequel to "Batman Begins". All those rumours you've read - Eddie Murphy as The Riddler, Shia LaBeouf as Robin - can be taken with a mound of salt.

Wonder Woman - Joel Silver has been trying to get a feature film version of the curvy underwear clad crime fighter off the ground for years. They paused momentarily while Miller tried to get Justice League off the ground.

Canadians continue to buy more music

While Canadians bought more music in 2008, they weren't buying albums.

Overall music sales - including albums, singles, music videos and digital tracks - rose 11.5 per cent to 78.5 million from 2007, according to numbers released by Nielsen SoundScan.

But overall album sales decreased 8.5 per cent to 40.6 million.

The biggest increase was in digital album sales, which jumped 69 per cent to 3.36 million. That outpaces the growth in the U.S., where digital album sales increased by 32 per cent to 65.8 million.

Australian hard-rockers AC/DC had the bestselling album of the year with "Black Ice," their first disc in eight years, which sold 341,000 units. Coldplay followed closely with "Viva La Vida," which sold 334,000 copies and led the digital album charge with 46,700 downloads.

Metallica's comeback album "Death Magnetic" was third, selling 265,000 copies. Nickelback's "Dark Horse" was the top-selling record by a Canadian artist or group. It sold 216,000 copies to place fourth.

The top-selling digital songs were Lady Gaga's "Just Dance," Flo Rida's "Low" and "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry.

Barbadian singer Rihanna was the top-selling digital artist, moving 478,000 units.

Pemberton Music Festival axed

VANCOUVER, B.C. - A massive outdoor music festival that drew more than 40,000 people to a site north of Vancouver last year has been cancelled for this summer.

The three-day Pemberton Music Festival debuted in a mountain valley with acts like Tom Petty, Jay-Z and Coldplay.

Organizers say they weren't able to reschedule another concert but hope the event will make a comeback in 2010.

The festival that featured rising Canadian acts alongside international superstars was mostly a success but also had some snags.

There were long waits on the highway between Vancouver to Pemberton, chaotic parking and an impractical shuttle system.

Some people spent eight hours in traffic chaos to make the usual 20-minute trip between Pemberton and nearby Whistler.

Spidey saves Inauguration Day for Obama in comic

President-elect Barack Obama's mythic status as a saviour for the U.S. could be cemented by his appearance in a new Spider-Man comic from Marvel.

A five-page story, added as a bonus feature in the latest Spidey installment coming out on Jan. 14, takes place in Washington D.C. on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.

"When we heard that president-elect Obama is a collector of Spider-Man comics, we knew that these two historic figures had to meet in our comics' Marvel Universe," says Marvel's editor-in-chief Joe Quesada in a statement.

"Historic moments such as this one can be reflected in our comics because the Marvel Universe is set in the real world. A Spider-Man fan moving into the Oval Office is an event that must be commemorated."

Marvel comics have featured most presidents, but generally in walk-on roles, adds Quesada.

In "Spidey Meets the President!," one of the super hero's oldest enemies, the Chameleon, tries to stop Obama's swearing-in ceremony.

Fortunately, Peter Parker is covering the event as a photographer and manages to save the day.

"I hope this doesn't ruin the inauguration for you," Spider-Man tells Obama, as the Chameleon is led away by security.

"Honestly, I'm more upset by the Chameleon's shockingly deficient understanding of the electoral process," Obama replies.

At the end, Spider-Man bids a quick goodbye as Obama stops him with one more thing to say: "I've been a fan of yours for a long time and before you go I just want to say ... Thanks. Partner."

At this point the two exchange a fist-bump — a direct reference to the gesture the president-elect and future first lady, Michelle Obama, often do.

As for Michelle, there is a superhero future for her as well. In April, she will be appearing in the Female Force comic book series.

Super Bowl, Super Gig: How the Big Game Can Boost Springsteen’s Sales

When Bruce Springsteen plays the Super Bowl halftime show on February 1st, it will be for the biggest audience of his career: Last year, 148.3 million Americans watched Superbowl XLII, more than the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony and the Academy Awards combined. Which should mean good things for Springsteen’s new Working on a Dream and 2009 tour (for the story behind the making of the album, check the issue of Rolling Stone that hits newsstands this week). In the week after last year’s Tom Petty performance, “Free Fallin’” sold 63,000 digital copies — and his tour, which kicked off that spring, went on to become one of the year’s biggest. In 2006, sales of the Rolling Stones’ A Bigger Bang album shot up 34 percent the week after the Bowl.

So why Bruce? “We have a lot of fans in common,” says NFL exec Charles Coplin. “And he performs so well on a large scale that we always felt that it was a good fit.” One thing neither party will discuss is what songs Springsteen will play. Prince performed a medley of hits (including a Foo Fighters cover) in 2007, and the Stones played a new song plus two classic cuts. “The goal of the Super Bowl thing,” says a source in Springsteen’s camp, “is to see how much fun he can get into those 12 minutes.”

Rascal Flatts Sets Date For Sixth Album

Rascal Flatts' sixth album, "Unstoppable," will be released April 7 by Lyric Street. As of yet there are no details about the first single or track list. The set was co-produced by the band with Dann Huff.

"Unstoppable" is the follow-up to 2007's "Still Feels Good," which has sold 2.2 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It recently generated the group's ninth No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart with "Here."

Fans can stay up to date on new album details by texting RASCALFLATTS to 66937, or by visiting the newly launched site Newrfcd.com.

They also have a chance to design the new album's cover through a contest with the People's Choice Awards. Submisions will be accepted through Jan. 22 at PCAvote.com. On Jan. 28Rascal Flatts Sets Date For Sixth Album

Rascal Flatts

January 08, 2009 12:01 AM ET

Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Rascal Flatts' sixth album, "Unstoppable," will be released April 7 by Lyric Street. As of yet there are no details about the first single or track list. The set was co-produced by the band with Dann Huff.

"Unstoppable" is the follow-up to 2007's "Still Feels Good," which has sold 2.2 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It recently generated the group's ninth No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart with "Here."

Fans can stay up to date on new album details by texting RASCALFLATTS to 66937, or by visiting the newly launched site Newrfcd.com.

They also have a chance to design the new album's cover through a contest with the People's Choice Awards. Submisions will be accepted through Jan. 22 at PCAvote.com. On Jan. 28, the band will choose finalists and present them to fans to vote on a winner, which will be unveiled in February.

Rascal Flatts is on the road in North American through the end of January and will perform next Jan. 17 in Kansas City, Mo, the band will choose finalists and present them to fans to vote on a winner, which will be unveiled in February.

Rascal Flatts is on the road in North American through the end of January and will perform next Jan. 17 in Kansas City, Mo.

Steve Martin strums a bluegrass album

In his stand-up act, Steve Martin often joked that "you can't play a sad song on the banjo."

But the comedian/actor/musician writes in the liner notes of his first full-length bluegrass album, "I knew the banjo had a capacity for mournful melodies and the 'high, lonesome sound.' As I was sometimes mournful, sometimes lonesome and sometimes sad, this suited me perfectly."

Martin, a banjo player for 45 years, spent nearly that long crafting tunes for The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo, available Jan. 27 exclusively at Amazon.com for the first 90 days.

Produced by high school friend John McEuen, Crow contains 14 originals plus Clawhammer Medley (with Red Is the Rose, Sally Ann, Johnson Boys and others). The title track, first recorded for Tony Trischka's 2007 album, climbed the bluegrass charts to become Martin's second hit (after King Tut).

Vince Gill and Dolly Parton share vocals on Pretty Flowers. Mary Black sings on Calico Train. Actor Eugene Levy plays guitar on Tin Roof, and Earl Scruggs appears on Daddy Played the Piano.

Martin will unveil Crow material as host of Saturday Night Live Jan. 31.

Presumably, the banjo won't figure into his reprise of Inspector Jacques Clouseau in The Pink Panther 2, opening Feb. 6.

'Dark Knight' sweeps People's Choice Awards

LOS ANGELES – Holy, People's Choice Awards, Batman! "The Dark Knight" soared away with every trophy it was nominated for Wednesday at the 35th annual fan-favorite CBS ceremony. The caped crusader flick won five awards, including favorite cast, superhero, action movie and on-screen matchup for Christian Bale's Batman and the late Heath Ledger's Joker.

"On behalf of all of the cast from the movie, thank you very much to the fans," said Bale. "Here's to Heath."

The CBS ceremony was hosted by Queen Latifah and returned to the Shrine Auditorium for its typical star-studded live show format, following last year's writer's strike-friendly, pre-taped program. Stars such as Adam Sandler, Kate Hudson, Robin Williams, Hugh Laurie and Reese Witherspoon showed up to accept thier awards at the slightly subdued ceremony.

"It's such a great way to start the new year," Witherspoon, the "Four Christmases" star who won an Oscar in 2005 for portaying June Carter Cash in "Walk the Line," said as she accepted her award for favorite female movie star. "A couple years ago, I won a great award for singing in a movie. This year, I won an award for having a baby throw up on me."

Other recipients selected by Internet voters in categories spanning movies, television and music included "Dancing With the Stars" as favorite reality show, Carrie Underwood as favorite female singer, "House" as favorite TV drama, Brad Pitt as favorite leading man, Angelina Jolie as favorite female action star and Ellen DeGeneres as favorite talk show host.

"I wish I could share this with you," DeGeneres told the audience while clutching her trophy on stage. "I could throw it on the ground and smash it into a million pieces, and give each one of you a little piece of it, but that's violent, and that's probably why you voted for me, because I'm not violent."

Here's a complete list of winners:

FILM
• Movie: The Dark Knight
• Family Movie: WALL-E
• Action Movie: The Dark Knight
• Movie, Comedy: 27 Dresses
• Movie, Drama: The Secret Life of Bees
• Independent Movie: The Secret Life of Bees
• Cast: The Dark Knight (Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Maggie Gyllenhaal)
• Male Movie Star: Will Smith
• Leading Man: Brad Pitt
• Male Action Star: Will Smith
• Female Movie Star: Reese Witherspoon
• Leading Lady: Kate Hudson
• Female Action Star: Angelina Jolie
• Onscreen Matchup: Christian Bale & Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
• Superhero: Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman

TELEVISION
• Drama: House
• Comedy: Two and a Half Men
• Animated Comedy: The Simpsons
• Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show: Heroes
• Competition/Reality Show: Dancing With the Stars
• Game Show: Deal or No Deal
• Male TV Star: Hugh Laurie
• Female TV Star: Christina Applegate
• Female Drama Diva: Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson on The Closer
• Talk Show Host: Ellen DeGeneres
• Scene-Stealing Guest Star: Robin Williams on Law & Order: SVU
• Female Drama Diva: Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson on The Closer
• New TV Drama: The Mentalist
• New TV Comedy: Gary Unmarried

MUSIC
• Male Singer: Chris Brown
• Female Singer: Carrie Underwood
• Group: Rascal Flatts
• R&B Song: "No One" by Alicia Keys
• Pop Song: "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry
• Rock Song: "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock
• Country Song: "Last Name" by Carrie Underwood
• Hip-Hop Song: "Low" by Flo Rida, featuring T-Pain
• Combined Forces: "No Air" by Jordin Sparks, featuring Chris Brown
• Song From a Soundtrack: "Mamma Mia" by Meryl Streep, from Mamma Mia!

MISCELLANEOUS
• Funny Male Star: Adam Sandler
• Funny Female Star: Tina Fey
• Star 35 & Under: Carrie Underwood

Ghostbusters are coming to Blu-ray in June!!

One of the most anticipated catalog releases, the original Ghostbusters is celebrating it's 25th Anniversary and getting ready for the new video game from Atari.

The DVD and game will come the same day and the disc will include audio commentary with Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis and Joe Medjuck, deleted scenes, storyboards, the featurettes The Making of Ghostbusters, Interviews with Cast and Crew and SFX Team.

These features come straight from the DVD release, but the Blu-ray will include Slimer Mode - whatever it is, it sounds awesome.

Other new features include the new featurette Ecto-1: Resurrecting the Classic Car, a car phoot gallery and a 32 page screpbook. BD-Live features are also included.

Stay-Puft in 1080p. What more can you ask for? The Blu-ray arrives on June 16th.

Report: Springsteen To Play Inaugural Event

The Washington Post is reporting that Bruce Springsteen will perform at Washington D.C.'s National Mall on Jan. 18 as part of the Barack Obama inauguration festivities. The performance will be free and open to the public.

Springsteen was a vocal Obama supporter, playing benefit shows in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, as well as appearing at a rally with the President-elect in Cleveland.

Springsteen's new album, "Working on a Dream," is due Jan. 27 from Columbia. With the E Street Band, he will perform at the Super Bowl XLIII halftime show on Feb. 1 in Tampa.

Simon Pegg and Robert Weide Ask Fans NOT to Buy Their Movie on DVD

It’s typical for movie stars and directors do interviews and press to promote the release of their latest movies on DVD, but actor Simon Pegg and director Robert B. Weide are asking fans NOT to buy the Region 1 DVD of How to Lose Friends & Alienate People. It’s not a marketing gimmick, reverse psychology or anything like that — Weide and Pegg made big compromises in the final cut of the film under the belief that cut material would eventually materialize on the DVD release.

“In any movie, there are a number of scenes that get cut in an effort to keep the film from running too long. Some are of little consequence, but others are important scenes that are very painful to lose. In this instance, there were a few scenes that I fought hard to keep, but eventually acquiesced with the knowledge that at least they’d be available on the DVD. Well, not so in the U.S,” says Weide in an official press release. “Simon and I worked very hard to make sure the DVD would be packed with bonus material. The British distributors (Paramount) solicited our input and included all of the extras. Sadly, the American distributors (MGM/Fox) locked us out of the process and managed to leave off most of the bonus material.”

The deleted scenes (with optional commentary), audio commentaries, a gag reel, and video diaries are included on the Region 2 release, but are completely missing from the Region 1 (US) release of the DVD. Weide explains that once he discovered the bonus material was omitted from the U.S. DVD, he was told by the American distributors that they wanted to include the special features, but had trouble clearing it. Weide’s response? “It boils down to sloppiness and apathy. All of the material was absolutely cleared for all territories. There were just too many cooks in the kitchen and the left hand failed to communicate with the right hand. The ball was gently placed in those hands, and they dropped it.”

Weide reports that he sent numerous e-mails to those charged with integrating the bonus material, offering to clear up any problems or questions they might run into along the way. “The responses I received were somewhat dismissive, until they finally wrote me saying ‘thank you’… they had all the material in hand. I later found out they never obtained it. If they had told me the truth, I would have had the tapes on their desk within 24 hours.” Weide says that by the time the truth was revealed, MGM told him that “The ship had sailed,” meaning the DVD replication had already taken place, and there was no going back.

Mickey Rourke Wrestling With Iron Man 2

Fresh from the The Wrestler's ring, Mickey Rourke might next be putting the hurt on Robert Downey Jr.

The rebuzzworthy actor is in talks to play one of the villians in the upcoming Iron Man 2, which is scheduled to start shooting this spring, studio sources confirm to E! News.

Tony Stark's new nemesis is another techno-mad arms dealer, this time a Russian who battles our hero in a nuclear-powered suit of armor. Early speculation about the heavily guarded, Justin Theroux-penned script suggests that the character will be Crimson Dynamo, of Marvel Comics fame.

Also in line to play a foe, according to the Hollywood Reporter, is Charlie's Angels baddie Sam Rockwell, who might be suiting up as Justin Hammer, a rival billionaire industrialist.

The already anticipated sequel is slated for a summer 2010 release, with Gwyneth Paltrow back as Pepper Potts and Don Cheadle taking over for Terrence Howard as Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes. Jon Favreau is once again directing.

Meanwhile, Rourke is certainly a hot commodity as we roll into red-carpet season, having been nominated for a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award and an Independent Spirit Award for his role as a washed-up wrestler looking to make amends for a life ill-lived in the aptly titled The Wrestler.

Hollywood writers nominate best film scripts

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Hollywood screenwriters on Wednesday named nominees for 2008's best film scripts with a few surprises among the movies vying for honors ahead of the industry's highest awards -- the Oscars in February.

The Writers Guild of America nominated for best original screenplay "Milk," written by Dustin Lance Black and telling of the life of slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk, along with Robert Siegel's "The Wrestler," which looks at the life of a faded sports star.

Those writers will be joined by veteran Woody Allen with romantic comedy "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," brothers Joel and Ethan Coen for another comedy, "Burn After Reading," and Tom McCarthy with immigration tale "The Visitor."
In the best adapted screenplay category, the Writers Guild nominated Eric Roth for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," about a man who ages backward, John Patrick Shanley with sex abuse drama "Doubt" and Simon Beaufoy for "Slumdog Millionaire," which tells of a young Indian man who competes to win a fortune on a television game show.

Joining those film writers in the adapted screenplay group are brothers Jonathan and Christopher Nolan for their Batman movie, "The Dark Knight," and Peter Morgan with "Frost/Nixon," which recounts the interviews by British TV host David Frost of disgraced U.S. President Richard Nixon.

Nominees for awards from the Writers Guild often provide industry watchers with clues as to which films will compete for Oscars, the world's top movie honors, because many guild members also belong to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which gives out the Oscars.

Next on the list guild nominations will be the Directors Guild of America with its honors for film direction.

While several Writers Guild-nominated movies such as "Milk," "Slumdog" and "Benjamin Button" have enjoyed high profiles in early critical and other honors, "Burn After Reading," and "The Visitor" have stayed mostly out of the race.

Writers Guild nods could cause Academy voters to give those two a second look. Oscar nominations will be announced on January 22.

In addition to best original and adapted screenplay, the Writers Guild also named nominees for best documentary writing. Competing in that arena will be Stefan Forbes and Noland Walker for "Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story," Alex Gibney with "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson," Brett Morgen for "Chicago 10," Johnny O'Hara for "Fuel" and Ari Folman with "Waltz with Bashir."

The Writers Guild Awards will be given out on February 7 in Los Angeles. The Oscars are given out on February 22.

Ken Burns adding a 10th inning to 'Baseball'

LOS ANGELES – Filmmaker Ken Burns is adding a tenth inning to his nine-part "Baseball" documentary series that aired in the '90s on public television.

PBS said Wednesday that the new film, titled "The Tenth Inning," will air in spring 2010, along with a rebroadcast of the original nine-part "Baseball" documentary series that debuted in 1994. Meanwhile, the series is running Tuesday nights on the new MLB Network.

The new film will track baseball history from 1993 through 2008, beginning where the original series ended, and feature interviews with Felipe Alou, Joe Torre and other baseball figures.

Brad Pitt says he was faithful to Jennifer Aniston

LOS ANGELES – Brad Pitt is extracting himself from the tabloid love triangle: The actor says his relationship with current flame Angelina Jolie began sometime after splitting from Jennifer Aniston.

In October, Jolie revealed that she and Pitt fell in love while making the 2005 film "Mr. & Mrs. Smith." In November, Aniston called Jolie's comments "really uncool," because she was married to Pitt while the movie was in production.

Pitt sets the record straight in a story posted on W magazine's Web site Wednesday, defending both women and insisting that his relationship with Jolie didn't begin until after he and ex-wife Aniston split in 2005.

"Jen is a sweetheart," Pitt tells the magazine for its Jan. 20 issue. "I think she got dragged into that one, and then there's a second round to all that Angie versus Jen. It's so created.

"What people don't understand is that we filmed ("Mr. & Mrs. Smith") for a year. We were still filming after Jen and I split up," he continues. "Even then it doesn't mean that there was some kind of dastardly affair. There wasn't. I'm very proud of the way that it was handled. It was respectful."

Pitt says he and Aniston "still check in with each other."

"She was a big part of my life, and me hers," he says. "I don't see how there cannot be (that). That's life, man."

The 45-year-old Pitt, who has six children with Jolie, was nominated for a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award for his starring role in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Jolie was nominated for those same awards for her starring turn in "Changeling." Aniston can currently be seen in the family film "Marley & Me."

Guy Maddin film wins $10,000 prize

Guy Maddin's bizarre tribute to his hometown, My Winnipeg, has won a new $10,000 film prize.

The avant-garde director was given the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award, presented by the Toronto Film Critics Association. A gala dinner was scheduled Tuesday to recognize the association's favourite releases of 2008.

Sarah Polley, whose film, Away From Her was named best Canadian feature last year, was due to present the award to Maddin in front of an audience expected to include heavyweight filmmakers including Atom Egoyan, Robert Lantos, Bruce McDonald and Don McKellar.

Other films in the running were Stephane Lafleur's film, Continental: A Film Without Guns, and Yung Chang's acclaimed documentary Up the Yangtze, about the issues surrounding the Three Gorges Dam in China.

"Our three finalists for the year's Best Canadian Film are all strongly evocative tales of characters adrift in manufactured landscapes," association president Brian Johnson, film critic for Maclean's magazine, said in a release.

"My Winnipeg gleefully obliterates the line between fact and fiction, documentary and drama between lucid memoir and fevered dream. It's an exquisitely Canadian film that has won praise from around the world, and we are pleased to add our voice to the acclaim with this inaugural prize."

Established in 1997, the Toronto Film Critics Association is comprised of Toronto-based journalists and broadcasters who specialize in film criticism and commentary.

'Dark Knight,' 'Iron Man' battle for visual effects Oscar

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Superheroes Batman, Iron Man and Hellboy are mixing it up with Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman and an ancient mummy for the visual-effects Academy Award.

The Batman blockbuster The Dark Knight is one of seven films competing for the Oscar, along with fellow comic-book adaptations Iron Man and Hellboy II: The Golden Army.

The other four nominees Tuesday: Kidman's Australia, Pitt's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and two Brendan Fraser actioners, Journey to the Center of the Earth and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

Members of the academy's visual-effects branch will view 15-minute excerpts from each film and choose three nominees for the Feb. 22 Oscars.

The Oscar nominations come out Jan. 22.

Apple disappoints--no Jobs or big news at Macworld

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Apple Inc said on Tuesday said it was dropping copy protection from songs sold on the Internet and debuted its slimmest 17-inch laptop yet, but with no dramatic products or master pitchman Steve Jobs, the company's final Macworld performance disappointed Wall Street.

Apple shares slid 0.7 percent, lagging by far the Nasdaq's 1.7 percent gain, reflecting frustration over the lack of news from the trade conference that had previously introduced the iPhone to the world.

"There were some innovative products, but no true blockbusters," said Robert Francello, head of equity trading for Apex Capital hedge fund in San Francisco. "People were bullish going into it, and now they're kind of taking money off the table."

Apple said its iTunes music store, which has sold 6 billion songs thus far, will offer its 10-million-song library free of digital rights management -- or copy-protection -- by the end of the quarter, for between 69 cents and $1.29 a song.

Songs will also be available straight to iPhones over the air, instead of through a computer.

The company decided not use Macworld to launch any major new product, as it had in past years, when it introduced such industry-changing devices as the iPhone.

In years past, the company's Macworld product launches had produced so much buzz that they managed to overshadow events at the far larger Consumer Electronics Show. The 2009 CES show kicks off this week in Las Vegas.

Tuesday's event produced few surprises. Apple announced a $2,799 17-inch laptop that is the company's lightest and slimmest ever, as well as tweaks to software for home movies and photographs.

The event culminated with singer Tony Bennett crooning "The Best is Yet to Come" and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" in a farewell of sorts to Apple, which will no longer attend the cultural event thronged annually by Mac-faithful.

Jobs, a fixture at past events, was nowhere in sight, despite some hopes for a cameo. Last month, the company said its chief executive and salesman extraordinaire would not deliver the Macworld address. That raised fresh concerns about the cancer survivor's health and signaled to many Apple-watchers that the company had no plans to launch a major product at Macworld.

'24's' Jack Bauer relocates to Washington

WASHINGTON – Early one cold November morning, actress Annie Wersching leads Kiefer Sutherland to an "armored" SUV with dark windows parked outside the U.S. Department of Agriculture building.

After director Brad Turner yells "Cut," onlookers snap photos of the star. Sutherland spots a participant in a charity run for Lupus on the Washington Mall and comments, "Why is that guy wearing shorts? It's cold."

Where Sutherland normally works, people wear shorts year round. Welcome to Washington, Jack Bauer.

A little over a year ago, Sutherland and the crew of his popular Fox TV series, "24," came to the nation's capital to film segments of the show's seventh season. The completion of that season was delayed a year by the Writers Guild strike, but it finally makes its debut in a two-night premiere beginning Sunday, Jan. 11 (8 p.m. EST).

Jack Bauer actually returned to the screen this past November in the Fox TV movie "24: Redemption," a series prequel that was set in Africa. Now, the series' new season begins with the intrepid agent for the fictional federal Counter-Terrorist Unit (CTU) forced to return to Washington to face a Senate investigation into his conduct.

"He's called to face charges of abuse of power and torturing certain individuals in an unlawful manner," Sutherland says. "For the first time, he's put in a position to have to confront a lot of the things that he's done."

However, Bauer is pulled from the hearings by FBI agent Renee Walker (Wersching) to help with a more pressing matter — the reappearance of Bauer's thought-to-be-dead fellow agent, Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard), who is apparently is no longer one of the good guys.

After six years of making "24" mainly in Los Angeles, the production thought it was finally time to take the show to the home of oft-seen presidents in the series. "We wondered if that was starting to bother people," laughs director Turner.

While filming in Washington isn't new for fed-themed action series, it was a welcome change for the "24" team. "It was kind of like going on a field trip," Bernard says.

Shooting here lends the show a sense of realism impossible to produce by simply intercutting stock "plate" shots of Washington with scenes shot in Hollywood. "To have the Washington Monument in the background of a drive-up, and in a simple, incidental way, just tells you you're in Washington," explains cinematographer Rodney Charters. "That's a pretty hard thing to fake."

Turner and his crew searched the season's early scripts for opportunities to make use of recognizable Washington locales. "It was a matter of finding moments to get scenes on the street, and do it naturally so that it's seamless," the director says. Adds Sutherland, "If you can take advantage of getting iconic places like the Capitol or the Lincoln Memorial in a shot, you try and do that. It's like a postcard for us."

Yet doing so isn't a simple matter of setting up a camera and taking pictures, particularly in a security-sensitive city such as Washington. "There are 17 different jurisdictions to deal with, some with their own police forces," says Jon Pare, the show's production manager. "Sometimes, when you leave a curb and step into a street, you've just crossed a jurisdiction."

But an OK from the District of Columbia to film on a sidewalk and one from the National Park Service for the grass beyond may still not be enough.

"There's one place I can think of specifically where the sidewalk is divided into three different jurisdictions," says local location manager John Latenser. Simply put, "Washington, D.C. is the most difficult city in the United States to film in."
But for the actors, it's worth all the trouble. "You're constantly aware you're in a capital city," says Sutherland. "You can feel the power of it, the sense of responsibility that's in the air all the time. Somehow it felt like more was at stake."

Even a visit to the Capital Grille, a stylish restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue, left an impression on the actor. "Three tables over, there were three men that were talking about something that was going to have an impact on our lives," he says.

Among the many loyal fans of "24" is Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, whose office said he was thrilled to see Sutherland's acting and stunts in person when he visited the set the following day.

"He's a fan of the show and checked out what we were doing. He's always been really gracious and kind with us," Sutherland says. The crew even visited the real CTU — the National Counterterrorism Center — while in Washington.

Meanwhile, fans greet Sutherland as he arrives in the toney Georgetown section of Washington to film a scene at a house once occupied by John F. Kennedy.

"I'm just waiting for (Sutherland) to break into Jack Bauer mode and start neck-punching people," says bystander Kim Sandlin. "I'm looking forward to having Jack Bauer's blood on our sidewalk!"

Obama picks CNN's TV doctor as surgeon general: reports

WASHINGTON (AFP) – President-elect Barack Obama wants CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta to be his surgeon general and serve as chief overseer of Americans' health, the network said Tuesday.

Gupta, a neurosurgeon who is well known from his television and print reporting on medical matters, would bring star power to a job that normally labors in obscurity.

CNN's management confirmed that Gupta had been approached by the Obama team. The Atlanta-based media celebrity was said to be considering a move to Washington to take on the job, which requires Senate confirmation.

Reports by CNN itself along with other networks and the Washington Post said Obama's transition team was impressed by Gupta's communications skills and his past experience in government as a White House adviser during the 1990s.

In a statement, CNN management said: "Since first learning that Dr Gupta was under consideration for the surgeon general position, CNN has made sure that his on-air reporting has been on health and wellness matters and not on health-care policy or any matters involving the new administration."

A transition spokesman declined to comment on the reports.

As head of the 6,000-member Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the surgeon general acts as the government's chief educator on public health issues, but has little direct role in policy-making.

The position is perhaps best known to Americans through the surgeon general's health warnings printed on all cigarette packets sold in the country.

Canada wins fifth consecutive gold

OTTAWA - Canada's junior hockey team is back on top of the world, and this gold medal might be the sweetest one yet.

Record-setting crowds packed arenas in the nation's capital to watch the Canadian team roll through the world junior championship with an unbeaten record, collecting a fifth-straight gold medal with a 5-1 victory over Sweden on Monday night.

It was the second straight tournament victory for four players on the Canadian team, but it left them with a feeling unlike any other.

The victory tied the country's record of five consecutive titles in this tournament set between 1993 and 1997. Canada's 15th gold at the world juniors also tied Russia/Soviet Union for the all-time lead.

The Canadian players jumped all over the ice in celebration after the horn sounded on their latest victory.

"It feels unbelieveable," said defenceman P.K. Subban. "The first thing I want to do is thank God. I mean we've been blessed since Day 1.

"We started our trek in Petawawa. We were a bunch of individuals, we came to Ottawa as one team with one mission."

Canada goes for a record six in a row at the 2010 world junior tournament in Saskatoon and Regina.

Cody Hodgson of the Brampton Battalion scored twice while Subban of the Belleville Bulls, Montreal Junior forward Angelo Esposito and Jordan Eberle of the Regina Pats added singles for the hosts.

Tavares had two assists and finished tied with Hodgson for the tournament lead with 16 points. The 18-year-old from Oakville, Ont., was named the tournament's most valuable player and top forward. He remains a strong candidate to go No. 1 overall in the 2009 NHL draft.

Dustin Tokarski of the Spokane Chiefs made 39 saves for the victory.

"I can't say enough about all the guys, all 22 guys, the coaching staff," said Tavares. "There's nothing better than this."

Joakim Andersson scored for the Swedes and goaltender Jacob Markstrom stopped 26 shots.

The 20,380 at Scotiabank Place set a new single-game attendance record at the world junior tournament. It was the fourth time a new mark was established in Ottawa and erased the previous high of 20,223 that was set during Canada's preliminary-round game against the U.S.

The audience included Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff.

"Throughout the tournament, Canadian players not only produced world-class hockey on the ice, they also represented our country with tremendous dignity and pride off the ice," Harper said in a statement. "I want to commend all of the players, coaches, volunteers, families and staff who contributed to this successful tournament.

"This is a well-deserved victory."

Canada led 2-0 after two periods, but history has shown that to be an uncomfortable margin. The Canadians had the same lead going into the third period of last year's final in Pardubice, Czech Republic, but the Swedes scored twice to force overtime.

The hosts started the third with a man advantage because of Mikael Backlund's interference penalty to end the second.

Canada's power-play was running hot at 51 per cent heading into the final and Hodgson scored his team's second of the game 33 seconds into the final period. The Vancouver Canucks prospect wired a shot that beat Markstrom low stick side.

The Swedes cut into their deficit with Andersson wheeling the puck out front and getting a deflection over Tokarski's shoulder at 8:30.

Eberle and Hodgson added empty-net goals to secure the victory.

Markstrom had an eventful evening as he was involved in two helmet-removing collisions - one of his own making - and was tripped outside his crease in the first 40 minutes.

In what was already a testy game with punches and face washes after the whistle, a second-period incident turned the heat up even more.

After Canada's Patrice Cormier knocked Carl Gustaffson into the boards and shoved him again, Markstrom came out of his crease and checked Stefan Della Rovere during the same play. Markstrom was penalized for roughing and Della Rovere and Cormier for interference.

Angelo Esposito and Markstrom collided in a footrace for the puck in Sweden's zone early in the second period with Markstrom getting the worst of it.

Defenceman Victor Hedman took exception to that, grabbing Esposito's head and punching the Montreal Junior forward, which made Heman public enemy No. 1 at Scotiabank Place. The rival of Tavares for first overall pick in the draft was soundly booed any time he touched the puck after that.

Esposito responded to getting punched in the head by scoring his country's second goal of the game. The Atlanta Thrashers prospect stepped out from behind the goal-line and backhanded the puck upper far corner at 4:06.

Tokarski preserved Canada's slim 1-0 lead 90 seconds into the second period by stopping a streaking Magnus Svensson Paajarvi.

The Canadians dominated the opening six minutes, outshooting Sweden 10-5, and taking a 1-0 in the first minute on Subban's power-play goal.

Sweden took control of the game in the final minutes of the period and trailed Canada 13-12 in shots heading into the second.

Backlund, a first-round draft pick of the Calgary Flames, shoved his glove in Tavares's face after a whistle just 22 seconds into the game, and his roughing penalty put Canada a man up.

Subban and Hodgson dug away at the puck during a goal-mouth scramble and Subban shoveled it past Markstrom's stick for his team's 20th power-play goal of the tournament.

In an entertaining first-period moment, Tavares and Backlund took a turn stealing the puck from each other.

Germany and Kazakhstan were relegated to the world 'B' championship for finishing ninth and 10th. Switzerland and Austria will join Canada, Sweden, Russia, Slovakia, the U.S., Czech Republic, Finland and Latvia in Saskatchewan.

According to organizers, 453,282 tickets were sold, which is a tournament attendance record that wiped out the previous high of 325,138 set in Vancouver three years ago.

"Just look at the support we got, playing in Canada," said Tavares. "They want nothing but the best but they (put) the support behind us."

Because of the sheer size of Scotiabank Place it wasn't a difficult ticket to get and there were still some available for Canada's semifinal and the final late last week. Scalpers were asking $350 for upper-level seats prior to the final.

The attendance record was easily attainable of Scotiabank's capacity and the Civic Centre, the site of Pool B games, also holds 10,000. Most European arenas hold 16,000 to 18,000.

Springsteen Goes Free With Amazon, 'Guitar Hero'

Bruce Springsteen is offering free downloads through Amazon.com and "Guitar Hero" in the run-up to the Jan. 27 release of his next Columbia album, "Working on a Dream."

The third single from that project, "Life Itself," is up as a free track on Amazon.com as of today, along with a new video. Amazon previously made the album track "My Lucky Day" available, while the title cut was initially an iTunes exclusive.

Meanwhile, "My Lucky Day" and "Born To Run" will be free downloads on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii versions of "Guitar Hero: World Tour," beginning on the new album's release date and running through Feb. 4. Afterward, they will cost $2.

As previously reported, Springsteen and the E Street Band will perform Feb. 1 during the Super Bowl XLIII halftime show in Tampa, Fla.

The group has yet to confirm tour plans in support of "Working on a Dream," but headlining appearances at the Bonnaroo festival in mid-June and the U.K.'s Glastonbury festival later that month are strongly rumored.

Star Zach Braff is moving on, but 'Scrubs' may not

On Tuesday night, Scrubs enters its final year — at least in its current form.
For its eighth season, the modestly rated but critically praised hospital comedy gets new life on ABC (two episodes Tuesday, 9 ET/PT), which picked it up when it ended its NBC run in May.

With the impending departure of Zach Braff, who plays Dr. John "J.D." Dorian, Scrubs is approaching this season as its last, resolving the characters' stories and answering long-running questions along the way.

"The end of the show was always about J.D. moving on and whether you can hold on to your youthful relationships," creator Bill Lawrence says. "We've had the finale outlined for four years." However, he says, if the show performs well, the comedy could return, but in some altered form.

The move to ABC reinvigorated the writers, cast and crew of the show, which Lawrence says had gotten broader, sillier and further from its roots. "This show only works if it's grounded enough that (it can) switch gears and be dramatic and really about something."

When ABC program chief Stephen McPherson proposed the network switch, a rare move, "we said, 'If we're going to do this, we're going to go back tonally to what the show was and … try to make it have emotional resonance,' " Lawrence says.

Scrubs is produced by ABC's studio, which McPherson used to run, so the network has more to gain financially than NBC did. ABC has been more involved and provided more promotion, Lawrence says.

Although the tone will be less silly, Scrubs won't lose its oddball moments and fantasies.

Tonight's episodes feature Courteney Cox guest-starring as the new chief of medicine and the arrival of fresh interns.

If Scrubs were to return for a ninth season, the loss of J.D. would mean shifting the focus, possibly toward the interns. Lawrence, who would be involved to a lesser degree, hopes that it could be akin to Frasier growing out of Cheers and that at least some series regulars return.

For now, eight seasons is enough, says Braff, who had feared that the show might end with a fairy-tale episode on NBC that wasn't intended to be the finale.

"It's been almost the last season for us for so many years," he says. "We're all really grateful that we have a chance to end the show on our own terms."

Why So Sunny? Dark Knight's a PGA Nominee

Los Angeles (E! Online) – The Dark Knight's Oscar campaign has picked up another key endorsement.

The Batman epic is one of five nominees for the Producers of America Guild's version of Best Picture: the Darryl F. Zanuck Producer of the Year Award.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk and Slumdog Millionaire round out the list.

The PGAs are typically a blueprint for the Oscars, which makes today's news bad news for Revolutionary Road and the likewise shunned. Last year, four of five PGA contenders went on to score Best Picture nominations at the Academy Awards. This year, three of the five—Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Slumdog Millionaire, but, no, not Dark Knight—are up for Best Motion Picture, Drama at Sunday's Golden Globes.

PGA winners are to be announced January 24th.

Actor Pat Hingle, Batman commissioner, dies at 84

Pat Hingle, a veteran actor whose career included a recurring role as Commissioner Gordon in several Batman movies in the 1990s, has died at 84.

Family friend Michele Seidman says Hingle died at his home in Carolina Beach, N.C., shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday. He had been battling blood cancer.

Family spokeswoman Lynn Heritage said Hingle was diagnosed with myelodysplasia in November 2006.

His career on the stage and in movies and television spanned six decades.

Born Martin Patterson Hingle in 1924, he went to the University of Texas on a tuba scholarship. He would serve in the U.S. navy during the Second World War and return to finish a degree in broadcasting.

Hingle became a member of the legendary Actors Studio — known for teaching method acting, which required performers to use their own emotions and experiences to portray a character.

Hingle would go on to earn a Tony nomination Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1958). Film roles included On the Waterfront, Hang 'Em High and Norma Rae.

Hingle was also a guest star in many TV series, including Touched by an Angel, Murder She Wrote, Homicide: Life on the Street, Wings and Cheers.

His last movie was Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006).

Hingle is survived by his wife, Julia, five children and 11 grandchildren.

Must-see films for 2009

Here are the movies to watch out for in 2009:

Watchmen (March)

Who's in it: Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson, Malin Akerman, Jackie Earle Haley

Who's making it: Zack Snyder, the gifted stylist behind 300.

The lowdown: Part conspiracy-thriller, part murder-mystery, it follows a group of reunited costumed crime-fighters after one of their own is murdered.

Why watch the Watchmen? The 1986 graphic novel is considered the Citizen Kane of comics. Can Snyder's film retain the source material's sex, violence and psychological depth? One more note: As of press time, the film's release was still in jeopardy because Fox is contesting Warner Bros.' rights to the property.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (May)

Who's in it: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston

Who's making it: Gavin Hood, who directed the thriller Rendition.

The lowdown: Jackman reprises his X-Men role in this prequel that reveals the character's mysterious past.

A furry, fanged Schreiber turns up as sociopathic Sabretooth.

Evolve or die: X-Men: The Last Stand raked in more than $200 million in May 2006. Should it perform as well as expected, look for Fox to greenlight more X-prequels (X-Men Origins: Magneto is on the launchpad).

Star Trek (May)

Who's in it: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Eric Bana and some dude named Leonard Nimoy.

Who's making it: Geek god J.J. Abrams, creator of Lost, Alias and Fringe.

The lowdown: A Romulan (Bana) travels back in time to assassinate a youthful James T. Kirk (Pine). Quinto plays young Spock while Nimoy turns up as the character's elder pointy-eared incarnation.

The new -- or final -- frontier? This $150-million Trek will have to beam up young moviegoers, and lots of them, so that this four-decade-old franchise can live long and prosper.

Terminator Salvation (May)

Who's in it: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington

Who's making it: McG, hoping to prove he has the cajones to direct more than Charlie's Angels movies.

The lowdown: Set after Judgment Day, Christian Bale's John Connor encounters a mysterious survivor named Marcus (Worthington) while battling various incarnations of Terminators.

Guess who won't be back: Arnold Schwarzenegger and creator James Cameron. Although there's a chance we might see Schwarzenegger's mug digitally grafted -- a la Benjamin Button -- onto the odd cyborg.

Public Enemies (July)

Who's in it: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale

Who's making it: Michael Mann, director of Heat.

The lowdown: Set during the crime wave of the 1930s, Depp stars as famed bank robber John Dillinger. Bale plays Melvin Purvis, the FBI agent who hunted Dillinger down.

Why we care: Depp. Bale. And Mann, who's better than anybody at playing cops 'n' robbers.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (July)

Who's in it: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson

Who's making it: David Yates, the Brit who directed Order of the Phoenix.

The lowdown: The teen wizard learns new secrets about his nemesis Lord Voldermort.

Big Harry deal: A Potter flick is cause for celebration -- particularly for Warner Bros., which bumped its release back six months so it could prop up a flimsy summer schedule.

Sherlock Holmes (November)

Who's in it: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams

Who's making it: Guy Ritchie, looking to expand his range beyond dark comedies about snarky London gangsters.

What's it about: Holmes (Downey Jr.) and Watson (Law) must save England from a new nemesis with a combination of intellect and brawn.

Elementary appeal: Downey couldn't be hotter right now, thanks to his other franchise Iron Man. Ritchie says audiences can expect a more action-oriented Sherlock than they're used to. McAdams is always welcome.

The Lovely Bones (December)

Who's in it: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon and Saoirse Ronan.

Who's making it: Peter Jackson, returning to Heavenly Creatures territory.

What's it about: After her brutal rape and murder, a 13-year-old girl (Ronan) observes her family -- and her killer -- from heaven. Based on the acclaimed novel by Alice Sebold.

Sounds heavenly: Jackson courts Oscar once again with a tale that demands a mastery of both emotion and visual effects.

THE BEST OF THE REST

From vampires to real American heroes to dinosaurs to musicals, here are more of the movies coming to a multiplex near you over the next 12 months:

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (Jan. 23)

Kate Beckinsale has hung up her rubber catsuit for good, so the equally-gorgeous Rhona Mitra (playing a new character) anchors this medieval prequel.

Pink Panther 2 (February)

Steve Martin's Inspector Clouseau meets his match in a team of detectives as inept as he is.

Friday the 13th (February)

From the recyclers who brought us new, lesser versions of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Hitcher.

Race to Witch Mountain (March)

The Rock -- sorry, Dwayne Johnson -- plays a cabbie tasked with protecting two kids with paranormal powers.

Duplicity (March)

Julia Roberts and Clive Owen are corporate spies conspiring to con their bosses. From Michael Clayton director Tony Gilroy.

Adventureland (March)

Twilight's Kristen Stewart stars in this teen comedy set in 1987 and directed by Superbad's Greg Mottola.

The Ugly Truth (April)

Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler square off in battle of the sexes comedy from the maker of 21 and Legally Blonde.

Fast and Furious (April)

Will Vin Diesel and Paul Walker get their careers back on track by returning to the car-racing franchise that made them famous?

State of Play (April)

After Brad Pitt bailed, Russell Crowe signed on as a Washington reporter investigating a murder with links to a politician (Ben Affleck) who just happens to be his dearest friend.

The Soloist (April)

Jamie Foxx is a musical prodigy discovered living on the streets of Los Angeles by Times reporter Robert Downey Jr.

17 Again (April)

When Matthew Perry wishes he could be a teenager again, he wakes up 17 years old -- and looking just like Zac Efron.

Angels and Demons (May)

Tom Hanks, sans the mini-mullet he sported in The Da Vinci Code, tackles yet another ancient conspiracy.

Up (May)

Pixar's summer entry finds a grumpy old codger taking to the skies and seeking adventure after tying his house to hundreds of balloons.

Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian (May)

Ben Stiller is joined by Amy Adams for this sequel, set in D.C.

The Proposal (June)

Hard-driving boss Sandra Bullock and beleaguered employee Ryan Reynolds pretend they're engaged so she can get a green card.

Land of the Lost (June)

Big-budget fantasy-comedy starring Will Ferrell, based on the 1970s TV show.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (June)

The Autobots face an ancient threat while the Decepticons are again in hot pursuit of Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox.

Inglorious Bastards (TBD)

Brad Pitt leads the ensemble of this pulpy Second World War action yarn from Quentin Tarantino.

Ice Age: Dawn of Dinosaurs (July)

The third instalment in the hugely popular Ice Age series.

2012 (July)

The director of Independence Day is laying waste to the world again. John Cusack stars.

Funny People (July)

Judd Apatow directs Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Eric Bana in this dramedy about stand-up comics.

G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra (August)

The 1980s toy line charges to the big-screen under the direction of Stephen Sommers (The Mummy, Van Helsing).

The Taking of Pelham 123 (August)

Denzel Washington is the transit cop and John Travolta the subway highjacker in this Tony Scott thriller.

The Informant (September)

Matt Damon packed on extra weight to play a corporate whistleblower in Steven Soderbergh's comedy.

Shutter Island (October)

Leonardo DiCaprio and director Martin Scorsese reunite for this Hitchcockian psycho-drama set in a mental institution for the criminally insane.

The Princess and the Frog (November)

Disney's return to 2D traditional animation concerns a princess who kisses a frog, then winds up an amphibian herself.

Nine (December)

Daniel Day-Lewis can act, sure, but can he carry a tune? We'll find out when this musical from Chicago director Rob Marshall hits screens at the end of the year.

The Surrogates (December)

Bruce Willis hunts a killer in a futuristic world in which all human interaction happens between robotic surrogates.

CBC time-travel comedy relives 90's

TORONTO - If only she knew then what she knows now, things could have turned out so differently.

So begins the quirky time-travelling series "Being Erica," an hour-long dramedy that follows the neverending growing pains of thirty-something underachiever Erica Strange.

Fired from her mediocre job, dumped by her Lavalife boyfriend and berated by her family for her string of failures, Erica traces her woes to mistakes made in her past.

She's offered a second chance to get things right when her mysterious new therapist actually sends her back in time to relive the moments she regrets most.

But despite the sci-fi leanings, the show is much more than its "Back To The Future" premise, insists star Erin Karpluk, noting that each episode delves into universal neuroses over friends, family and relationships.

"The time-travel element is there more as catalyst for her learning these lessons and going back in time," says the bubbly Karpluk, who starred in the 2005 comedy-drama "Godiva's."

"I'm hoping that people identify with her because I think anyone, regardless of age, sex, race, class, gender, has regrets. I think there are times in everyone's life where they wish that they could go back and have a do-over."

A great deal of the show's charm is the hearty embrace of each year that's portrayed, says Karpluk, who's forced to don outrageouly dated hairstyles and fashions each week.

The CBC series kicks off Monday with Erica thrown back into high school, circa early 1990s - and the "90210" fashions and Shannen Doherty bangs are enough to give anyone who lived through that era a shameful dose of regret. The hit-laden soundtrack helps set the tone with past gems by Nirvana and Fine Young Cannibals.

Later episodes include one set in the Y2K era - with Erica dolled up like "Sex and The City" fashionista Carrie Bradshaw - and one set in the 1970s, before Karpluk's character was born.

The clever premise also means the misfit heroine is continually sent on a rollercoaster of emotions through youthful traumas and life lessons - other episodes see Erica relive the death of her brother, the loss of her virginity (involving sex in a canoe), and what she recalls as her perfect day.

"And you think that (perfect day) would be fun but as a 32-year-old woman in a 17-year-old body it becomes a lot more complicated than she had originally hoped," says Karpluk, whose mysterious therapist is played by Michael Riley of "This is Wonderland" fame.

Even though the slick "Being Erica" has yet to officially air, CBC programming executive Kirstine Layfield says the ABC-owned cable channel Soapnet picked it up for broadcast in the United States while BBC Worldwide picked up international rights to the series.

Karpluk says it's a smart show that should have wide appeal.

"It never wraps up in a neat little bow, it's never like, she's learned not to be bullied and that's it for the rest of her life. Or not to care what people think about her because that's not what life is," says Karpluk, originally from Jasper, Alta.

"Life is very messy and awkward.... You can't change the past, and in her situation, even if theoretically you can change the past, you still can't change the past. But what she learns is that she can change the present by making smart choices and shaping her futu re."

"Being Erica" airs on CBC-TV on Monday.

Q&A WITH RICHARD BELZER - THE UNCONVENTIONAL ACTOR/COMIC/WRITER (PHEW) TALKS DOGS, ANCIENT HISTORY AND BEING TOO FUNNY FOR THE ARMY

Richard Belzer is best known for playing detective John Munch on "Law and Order: SVU" (and on any other series that'll have him - he's played Munch on more shows than any actor has played the same character in TV history). But his start in show biz was on the stage. Belzer is known for his unconventional attitudes - he proudly embraces the term "conspiracy theorist" - and this has made him one of the top comedians throughout the '70s. Last year, Belzer brought his comic sensibility to publishing with "I Am Not A Cop!" a book that featured an actor named Richard Belzer who plays a TV detective named John Munch. But for those who'd like to see that sensibility in its original habitat, Belzer appears with Richard Lewis at Town Hall on January 17.

You've played Detective John Munch on 10 separate tV shows. At this point, do shows want Munch on just because of the record?

I think it's more flattering than that. People are so enamored of the character that when they see in a script, "detective," they think, let's bring Belzer in. They did that on "The X-Files," on "Arrested Development," on "Sesame Street." It's been so much fun.

You recently released a novel with yourself as the main character. Why did you take that approach?

I've always been fascinated by the confluence of celebrity and reality, and I'm a big fan of film noir. I wanted to combine all those elements into a kind of 21st-century, noir-mystery comedy. The idea that I'm an actor who plays a detective on TV who gets caught up in a real crime appealed to me because it gives me fictional license, but I can use a lot of reality. It's kind of a reality novel.

You started your movie career in the cult classic "The Groove Tube," from the early '70s , which was druggie and raw. Can you imagine a movie like that succeeding today?

No. We laid out the joke in a very prosaic way because we were kind of the first people to do satire of movies and television at that level.

The "Weekend Update" format for "SNL" and the "Goodnight, and have a pleasant tomorrow" tag line came out of "The Groove Tube," didn't they?

Yes. One of Lorne Michaels' direct influences in creating "Saturday Night Live," by his own admission, was "The Groove Tube."

It's hard to imagine, but you were in the Army. How did you get along there?

I was discharged - under honorable conditions - for being non-adaptable to military service. I was deemed too funny to carry a gun. I was in for seven months, went through basic training, got a top secret clearance to become a radio intercept operator, went AWOL once. I was too funny for words and was asked to leave. I didn't want to kill anybody. Call me crazy.

How did having testicular cancer change your life?

There are a lot of cliches about near-death experiences, how they make you appreciate life more. I think they're much exaggerated. It was very sobering and you do learn to value things you hadn't before, but life is so complex. You still have to earn everything. I wouldn't recommend having cancer for the wisdom.

* "[Bob] Cousy was one of the early players to dribble behind his back and do behind-the-back passes. He was a legendary ball player in the '50s and early sixties that I tried to copy."

* "I take photos. I shoot a lot of landscapes and flowers, people and animals. I'm getting ready to publish a book of my photographs. I'm using Panasonic Lumix with a Leica lens. It's a small digital camera that takes incredible pictures, and it's become an opiate for me. It gives me hours of unending joy."

* "If you Google my name and 'Bebe,' there's thousands of entries of my dog on red carpets. The photographers will say, 'Bebe, over here!' They don't care about me anymore."

* "I have a house in Bozouls, in the southwest of France. It's a little farming village. [My wife and I]have a beautiful 500-year-old stone mill house on a waterfall. The day-to-day lifestyle of French country living is totally antithetical to anything I do in America."

* "I'm a big, big fan of black and white film noir. Films like 'Out of the Past' and 'Murder, My Sweet.' The idea that the films of the '30s and '40s were coming out of the Depression and World War II, I'm fascinated by the psychology of what purpose they filled. Some of them were light and frothy, some were anti-prison-abuse films, and Hollywood was really raw and evolving."

* "I'm a bag fan of Roman history, particularly the period prior to and after Julius Caesar's reign. On some level they were so incredibly advanced and yet barbaric at the same time. Things haven't changed much."

SOUNDING OFF IN '09 - U2, SPRINGSTEEN AND MORE REV UP A FULL-THROTTLE YEAR

This year's music mantra is: Gimme something fine in 2009 . . . an album, and not just a piddling ringtone riff or a catchy single featuring Akon.

So far, the artists ready to meet that challenge include veterans like Springsteen and U2, newcomers such as the seductive Erin McCarley and even last year's chart busters Coldplay. Here's a rundown of some albums to groove to in the coming months.

"Love, Save the Empty," Erin McCarley (Jan. 6): This California girl, transplanted to Nashville, will easily have the best album of the year when it's released Tuesday. She may only hold that record a week, but her songs - reminiscent of a young Tori Amos or Fiona Apple - will stay with you for much longer. Bonus: Hear her live on "Letterman" Tuesday.

"Already Free," The Derek Trucks Band (Jan. 13): At 29, slide master Trucks is the youngest ace on Rolling Stone's list of the Top 100 Guitarists of All Time . . . and he deserves the slot. He proves it again with his sixth CD, an album where he spreads his wings as a songwriter. The record's first single, currently available on iTunes, is a searing cover of the Dylan/Band collaboration "Down in the Flood," from "The Basement Tapes."

"The Empyrean," John Frusciante (Jan. 20): Red Hot Chili Pepper guitarist Frusciante describes his introspective concept album as a CD where "the story takes place within one person." RHCP fans take note: Bassist Flea is on the record along with ex-Smiths keys player Johnny Marr, so expect the music to be a psychedelic experience. Lower the lights and pump up the volume.

"Working on a Dream," Bruce Springsteen (Jan. 27): If the Boss' "Magic" was too dark for you, the optimistic Jersey rock of "Working on a Dream" might match the hope-for-change attitude of the United States of Obama. In fact, the title track debuted at one of the President-elect's campaign rallies. Springsteen's 16th record is born to run up the charts, getting a post-release boost from his halftime gig at the Super Bowl on Feb. 1.

"Tonight: Franz Ferdinand," Franz Ferdinand (Jan. 27): After more than a year in a Glasgow recording studio, Scotland's FF is done with their third studio disc. Similarly to Vampire Weekend's rock infused, sub-Saharan rhythms disc, this record also pays homage to African influences, making it a natural for the dance floor.

"The Fray," The Fray (Feb. 3): After debuting as background music on "Grey's Anatomy" two years ago, they've since become Warp Tour stars. Their second disc, while similar, is said to be more extreme than the first. Frontman Isaac Slade says, "The quieter stuff is a little quieter and the rock stuff is a little rockier." How extreme, indeed.

"No Line on the Horizon," U2 (March 2): The buzz on this disc is it incorporates hand-played arrangements that rely heavily on electro elements. Translation? Bono has said, "The songs show a real departure from the themes of the last two albums, with trance influences." Veteran U2 producer Daniel Lanois says the album will "push the limits of the sound arena much like 'Achtung Baby' did." The best news? A new record means a U2 tour this summer.

"Quiet Nights," Diana Krall (March 31): On her 12th album and first full-length release since 2006's acclaimed crossover jazz disc "From This Moment On," Mrs. Elvis Costello imports Brazilian sway to her regular and romantic West Coast jazz stylings. To this end, the record features three covers of songs by bossa nova legend Antonio Carlos Jobim.

"Relapse," Eminem (TBD): It's been four years since Em released his last solo album and almost half that since he started talking about this new one. But alas, the wait for Slim Shady's latest is almost over. The rapper claims the album's already been recorded, but the holdup is because he and Dr. Dre are still deciding on song selection and track sequencing. Expect "Relapse" by the spring thaw.

Also in the coming year: new tunes from Coldplay and the Dave Matthews Band. Matthews hasn't cranked a disc since 2005, and Chris Martin's outfit wants to "Viva la Vida" while the band's iron is blazing hot.

'Marley & Me' remains top dog with $24M weekend

LOS ANGELES – Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson and their little dog have not lost their box office bite.

The family tale "Marley & Me," starring Aniston and Wilson as owners of an adorably mischievous pooch, took in $24.1 million to finish as the No. 1 movie for a second-straight weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The 20th Century Fox flick raised its total to $106.5 million since opening Christmas day.

With no new wide releases, the weekend shaped up largely like the previous one, with Disney's Adam Sandler comedy "Bedtime Stories" in second place with $20.3 million.

Rounding out the top five again were Paramount's Brad Pitt romantic drama "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" with $18.4 million, MGM's Tom Cruise World War II saga "Valkyrie" with $14 million and the Warner Bros. Jim Carrey comedy "Yes Man" with $13.9 million.

In a season loaded with wartime stories, two more Nazi-themed films opened in limited release.

Paramount Vantage's "Defiance" debuted with $121,000 in two theaters for a whopping average of $60,500 a cinema. By comparison, "Marley & Me" averaged $6,862 in 3,505 theaters. "Defiance" stars Daniel Craig in the story of Jewish brothers who form a band of freedom fighters against the Nazis in Eastern Europe.

ThinkFilm's "Good" opened with $9,300 in two theaters, averaging $4,650. The film casts Viggo Mortensen as an upright German academic gradually seduced into the Nazi fold as World War II approaches.

Hollywood finished 2008 with solid returns. Domestic movie revenues totaled $9.63 billion for the year, just shy of the $9.68 billion record set in 2007, according to box-office tracker Media By Numbers.

Factoring in 2008's higher admission prices, the number of tickets sold fell to 1.35 billion, down 4.3 percent from the year before.

That was a solid result given hard economic times, said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media By Numbers.

"The movie industry is totally holding its own in the face of the recession, increased competition from other entertainment options and emerging technologies," Dergarabedian said.

The new year was off to a good start, with the top 12 movies taking in $130.1 million, up 7.4 percent from the same weekend in 2008.

"Marley & Me" remained the pet picture for audiences looking to relax and unwind over the holidays, said 20th Century Fox distribution executive Bert Livingston.

"A picture doesn't stay No. 1 for two weeks without getting great word of mouth," Livingston said. "It's a feel-good movie. That's what people want to see right now."

Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "Marley & Me," $24.1 million.
2. "Bedtime Stories," $20.3 million.
3. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," $18.4 million.
4. "Valkyrie," $14 million.
5. "Yes Man," $13.9 million.
6. "Seven Pounds," $10 million.
7. "The Tale of Despereaux," $7 million.
8. "Doubt," $5 million.
9. "The Day the Earth Stood Still," $4.9 million.
10. "Slumdog Millionaire," $4.8 million.

John Travolta "heartbroken" over son's death

NASSAU (Reuters) – John Travolta broke a two-day silence over the death of his 16-year-old son Jett on Sunday, saying he and his wife, actress Kelly Preston, were "heartbroken" by their sudden loss.

Jett, who had a history of seizures, was found unconscious in a bathroom at his family's home at the Old Bahama Bay resort on Grand Bahama Island on Friday morning.

He was pronounced dead after being taken by ambulance to Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport and an autopsy to determine the cause of death is due to be performed in the Bahamas on Monday.

"Jett was the most wonderful son that two parents could ever ask for and lit up the lives of everyone he encountered," Travolta said in a statement posted on his website www.travolta.com.

"We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief. We will cherish the time that we had with him for the rest of our lives."

The statement did not refer to Jett's medical history or possible cause of death. But it offered thanks from the Hollywood star, his wife and their 8-year-old-daughter, Ella, for "many messages of condolence from around the world."

Travolta has said previously that Jett became very sick when he was a toddler and was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, which leads to inflammation of the blood vessels in young children.

Travolta's publicists have declined to comment on autopsy or funeral plans for the actor's teenage son and could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

Relative unknown actor to take over lead role in BBC TV series 'Dr. Who'

LONDON - The BBC says little-known actor Matt Smith will take over the title role in the long-running sci-fi series "Doctor Who."

The 26-year-old is the 11th actor to star in one of Britain's most popular TV shows - and the youngest.

Smith has appeared on the London stage and starred in the political TV drama "Party Animals," but is a relative unknown.

The new role will make him a major star in Britain, where "Doctor Who" regularly draws 10 million viewers an episode.

"Doctor Who" was first broadcast in 1963 and centres on a time-travelling alien known only as The Doctor who can regenerate into new human bodies.

Current star David Tennant plans to leave the show after four special episodes this year. The BBC said Saturday that Smith will take over in 2010.

John Travolta's 16-year-old son dies in Bahamas

NASSAU, Bahamas – Police in the Bahamas say John Travolta's teenage son has died after injuring himself at the actor's vacation home. Police spokeswoman Loretta Mackey says 16-year-old Jett Travolta hit his head in a bathtub Friday morning. She said he was declared dead at Rand Memorial Hospital on Grand Bahama Island.

Jett was the oldest child of Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston, who also have an 8-year-old daughter.

A spokeswoman for the hospital in Freeport said she could not release any information because of privacy concerns.

Will Smith voted 2008's top moneymaking movie star

NEW YORK – No name on the marquee was more pleasing to theater owners in 2008 than Will Smith, according to a survey of movie exhibitors.

Smith, star of "Hancock" and "Seven Pounds," was voted the star who generated the most box office revenue for theaters in an annual survey by Quigley Publishing Co.

Smith is only the second black actor to be chosen in the Quigley poll, which since 1932 has asked movie exhibitors to vote on the 10 stars who brought in the most business. Sidney Poitier topped the poll in 1968.

Smith's superhero summer blockbuster, "Hancock," grossed $228 million. "Seven Pounds," currently in theaters, has pulled in a somewhat lackluster $39 million in two weeks.

Following Smith, in order, were Robert Downey Jr. ("Iron Man," "Tropic Thunder"), Christian Bale ("The Dark Knight"), Shia LaBeouf ("Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull") and LaBeouf's "Indiana Jones" co-star Harrison Ford.

The top 10 were rounded out by Adam Sandler, Reese Witherspoon, George Clooney, Angelina Jolie and Daniel Craig.

Last year's winner, Johnny Depp, who didn't have a film released this year, didn't make this year's poll, nor did seven-time winner Tom Cruise.

Anne Hathaway ("Rachel Getting Married") was voted the top "star of tomorrow" along with Chris Pine of "Bottle Shock."

Keeping up with the noises in our heads

Here is a preview of a the sounds that might merit a raised eyebrow in early 2009:

ALBUMS

Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band, Working on a Dream, Jan.27. According to the Boss himself, writing began on this swift follow-up to 2007's Magic even as the sessions for that record were still winding down.

"I haven't done that since my first two records came out in the same year," he said on his website recently. He's obviously worked up about something.

Franz Ferdinand, Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, Jan.27. The cerebral Scots are back and they're bringing a full-on disco party with `em. Anything to get "Do You Want To," currently being abused in beer commercials `round the clock, out of our heads.

Chris Cornell, Scream, Feb.3. Given Cornell's track record with solo albums to date, working with hip-hop super-producer Timbaland on Scream can't actually make things any worse. Can it?

Lily Allen, It's Not Me, It's You. The new stuff floating around there in cyberspace is a little more earnest than we'd like, but surely some of the spite and sauce that made Alright, Still such a keeper will linger. Please.

U2, No Line on the Horizon, March 3. Word is it's a little weirder this time out, in the vein of Zooropa. Which would be a good thing, since Bono and the boys' last two rather conservative albums were largely coasting on creative fumes and their fans' good feeling.

Neko Case, Middle Cyclone, March 3. Given the international critical huzzahs and growing sales that followed 2006's Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, this might be the record to finally put Case over the top, Feist-style.

The sometime New Pornographer recruited members of that band to help her and her own band out on Middle Cyclone, along with guests Sarah Harmer, the Band's Garth Hudson, M. Ward, the Sadies and others.

Handsome Furs, Face Control, March 3. Canadian indie-rock's coolest (and hottest, come to think of it) couple follows up its smashing debut, Plague Park, with a record that's every bit as bleak, raw-nerved and sexy.

MSTRKRFT, Fist of God, March 17. With their globetrotting DJ schedule, it's a minor miracle that Al-P and Jesse Keeler found any time at all to record another album. At least we know they're plugged into what's going on on the planet's dance floors these days.

Year End: 2008 music news in review

From extended tour plans to multiple court appearances, artists stayed busy in 2008.

One of the most innovative aspects of the year: album drops. Following in the footsteps of Radiohead's groundbreaking name-your-price digital release of "In Rainbows" in late 2007, a slew of artists unveiled new albums on similar terms, including Paul Westerberg's 49-cent release and two projects from Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor--one freebie ("The Slip") and another 36-track collection ("Ghosts I-IV") with various buying options. Multiple concert sell-outs for some resulted in longer stints on the road, while others nixed shows due to physical aliments and mental health issues. AC/DC returned and notched one of the top-selling albums of the year, despite the fact that it was a Wal-Mart exclusive. Madonna notched the year's top-grossing North American tour. The cherry on top for many a music fan: the long-waited release of Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy," more than 10 years in the making.

Here's a month-by-month look at the major news stories of 2008.

January
Mary J. Blige kicked off 2008 with a No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart with her eighth studio album, "Growing Pains." U2 unveiled their concert film, "U23D," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival before hitting theaters nationwide. Britney Spears [ tickets ] lost custody of her two children following a domestic-disturbance call, which resulted in time spent hospitalized for being under the influence of an unknown substance; three weeks later, Spears landed in the hospital again on a mental-health-evaluation hold. Season four American Idol winner Carrie Underwood embarked on her first headlining tour in support of her double-platinum-selling sophomore album, "Carnival Ride." Kenny Chesney released the dates for his long-running "Poets & Pirates" tour, taking over stadiums and arenas across the US.

February
Alicia Keys announced the spring and summer dates for her "As I Am" tour, supporting her hit album of the same name. Teen sensations the Jonas Brothers continued their sold-out tour, tacking on more dates through mid-March. Rekindled pop stars the Spice Girls decided to scrap plans for further reunion shows in spite of soaring ticket sales. Cher unveiled a three-year residency deal with Las Vegas' Colosseum at Caesars Palace to kick off in May. British soul singer Amy Winehouse swept the Grammy Awards, taking home five trophies, including Song and Record of the Year for her single "Rehab." Dolly Parton postponed her album, "Backwoods Barbie," and the subsequent tour due to a "back condition." Jack Johnson's fifth album, "Sleep Through the Static," debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. Emo rockers Paramore pulled out of their European tour, citing "internal issues." Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony welcomed twins Max and Emme to the family.

March
Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige sold out several venues on their highly anticipated "Heart of the City Tour." Van Halen canceled a handful of shows due to an undisclosed medical issue with guitarist Eddie Van Halen, then sidelined the tour until mid-April. Linkin Park also canceled two gigs after lead vocalist Chester Bennington was diagnosed with tracheobronchitis. Rapper Juvenile's four-year-old daughter was fatally shot along with the girl's mother in their home in Lawrenceville, GA. Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor self-released "Ghosts I-IV," a 36-track instrumental album. Teen superstar Miley Cyrus unleashed on DVD her mega-concert outing, "The Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds Tour." Britney Spears' father, James Spears, was named co-conservator of the pop star's estate following her aforementioned hospitalizations. R.E.M. streamed their new album, "Accelerate," at iLike.com as a preview for fans. Madonna debuted "4 Minutes," the first single from her April release "Hard Candy," in a television commercial for Sunsilk hair products. The Raconteurs released their sophomore album, "Consolers of the Lonely," just a couple weeks after its completion. XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio received approval from the Department of Justice to complete their $4.6 billion merger. Dr. Pepper offered a free soda to everyone in the country if Axl Rose released the long-awaited Guns N' Roses album, "Chinese Democracy," anytime in 2008. Rapper T.I. pled guilty to federal weapons charges in an effort for lighter sentencing come March 2009. U2 and Live Nation entered into a 12-year contract covering touring, merchandising and the band's website.

April
Eddie Vedder launched his first solo tour in support of his soundtrack for the Sean Penn-directed film "Into the Wild." Velvet Revolver gave lead singer Scott Weiland the boot after four years with the band. Radiohead asked fans to upload remixes of their single "Nude." Elvis Costello and Elton John revealed plans to collaborate on a new television series entitled "Spectacle: Elvis Costello with ...," to air on the Sundance Channel. Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds hosted a free acoustic performance to show support for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Word spread that long-time couple Beyonce and Jay-Z tied the knot April 4. Toni Braxton canceled a Las Vegas performance after being hospitalized for chest pains. Alt-rockers Superdrag celebrated the reunion of the original lineup with a string of US gigs. Green Day finally admitted as true the persistent rumor that the rockers also played as the Foxboro Hot Tubs. Matchbox Twenty pulled out of a scheduled appearance at the Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming, citing potential animal abuse as the reason. The four original members of Jane's Addiction hit the stage together at the inaugural US NME Awards ceremony. Barbara Streisand donated $5 million to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for a new women's heart center. Legendary record executive Clive Davis stepped down from his position as the head of the BMG Label Group. Miley Cyrus signed a deal with Disney to write a book about her rise to teen-idol superstardom. The archives of the Grateful Dead found a permanent home at the University of California at Santa Cruz. Kenny Chesney continued on his tour despite an on-stage foot injury sustained at a South Carolina gig.

May
Stone Temple Pilots reconvened for the first time since 2002 at Ohio's Rock on the Range Festival. The Police launched their supposed last-ever round of shows together, hitting roughly a dozen US cities. Daryl Hall and John Oats were deemed the BMI Icons at the 56th Annual Pop Awards in Los Angeles. KT Tunstall took her tour acoustic behind her second album, "Drastic Fantastic." Cyndi Lauper led another edition of the True Colors tour in support of Human Rights Campaign, a gay and lesbian advocacy group. Leonard Cohen launched his first tour in 15 years with a round of Canadian dates. Bryan Adams treated fans to intimate, solo-acoustic performances throughout the summer in support of his new album, "11." Sean "Diddy" Combs was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his lifelong appreciation of the entertainment industry. Nine Inch Nails released "The Slip," a downloadable 11-track collection offered to fans free of charge. Mariah Carey wed the much younger Nick Cannon in a secret ceremony at Carey's private estate in the Bahamas. Kenny Chesney won his fourth consecutive Entertainer of the Year trophy at the 43rd Academy of Country Music Awards, the first year that the prize was voted on by the fans. Ashlee Simpson and Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz married at Simpson's LA home. David Cook took home the crown for the seventh season of "American Idol" after landing 56 percent of the 97.5 million votes cast. Former music mogul Lou Pearlman received a 25-year sentence for stealing more than $300 million from banks and investors. The Eagles began their "Long Road Out of Eden World Tour" in support of their first new studio set in 28 years.

June
The duo known as Yaz kicked off their first live dates together in 25 years. Ashlee Simpson called off plans for a summer tour due to pregnancy. Pearl Jam reconvened for their first extensive US tour in two years. Deborah Harry and Blondie celebrated the 30th anniversary of the band's breakthrough hit album "Parallel Lines" with a month-long tour. Rapper Lil Wayne [ tickets ]'s "Tha Carter III" sold more than 1 million copies in the US during its first week in stores. Tom Waits kicked off a rare 13-city summer trek entitled the "Glitter and Doom" tour. Prog-rock icons Yes canceled plans for an ambitious US summer tour, citing frontman Jon Anderson's recent health problems. Carrie Underwood continued her six-month-long trek through more than 50 US cities on her "Carnival Ride Tour." The North American launch of Coldplay [ tickets ]'s world tour was pushed back due to production delays. Rapper R. Kelly was cleared of all 14 counts filed against him for allegedly making and starring in a porn video with an underage girl. Kid Rock explained that his music would not be available on iTunes because he believes the Internet retailer does not pay artists enough. Blind Melon hit the road for the first time in over a decade, debuting new lead singer Travis Warren.

July
Billy Joel played a two-night engagement at New York's Shea Stadium, the final concert event held at the home of the New York Mets before the venue officially closed its doors. Motley Crue's inaugural Crue Fest kicked off in West Palm Beach, FL and continued on through 40 US cities. Christian singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman resumed his summer tour plans two months after his five-year-old daughter was struck and killed by a car in the driveway of their Tennessee home. Boy George scrapped his summertime tour after being denied a US visa. Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy was arrested and charged with third-degree assault after allegedly punching a Warped Tour audience member who made a racist comment toward him. Two music fans died in unrelated incidents at Michigan's weekend-long Rothbury Festival. Barenaked Ladies singer/guitarist Steven Page was arrested in New York for an alleged drug-related offense. Paul Westerberg issued "49," a new album with approximately two-dozen songs, on two web-commerce sites for a mere 49 cents. Jessica Simpson made the transition from pop princess to country crooner in support of her latest album, the country-themed "Do You Know."

August
British pop-rockers Oasis returned to the US tour trail after a two-year hiatus. The Smashing Pumpkins celebrated the band's 20th anniversary with a small US tour. Iggy and the Stooges' rented truck--containing all of the group's equipment--was stolen outside their Montreal hotel. Sarah Brightman performed the official Olympic theme song at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 World Olympic Games. Clay Aiken became a father when friend and music producer Jaymes Foster gave birth to a boy, Parker Foster Aiken, at a North Carolina hospital. Jackson Browne sued Senator John McCain and the Republican National Committee for using Browne's "Running on Empty" in a commercial without obtaining a license for use of the song. Ex-Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler was ordered to remain in drug rehabilitation at the Pasadena Recovery Center by an LA judge. Ricky Martin became the father of twin boys thanks to an undisclosed surrogate mother. Barenaked Ladies frontman Ed Robertson survived a floatplane crash in southeastern Ontario.

September
Donny and Marie Osmond headlined a new variety show at Las Vegas' Flamingo Hotel, the first time the duo had performed an extended Vegas residency in 29 years. Comedy duo Cheech and Chong reunited for their first standup tour in 25 years. Weezer canvassed the US for the first time in three years behind their latest self-titled studio album. ZZ Top scaled down their fall run from their traditional stadium and arena shows to more intimate performances in nightclubs and small theaters. Britney Spears swept the MTV Video Music Awards, taking home three Moonmen, for Video of the Year, Best Pop Video and Best Female Video. Oasis singer/guitarist Noel Gallagher was attacked onstage at a Toronto concert when an unidentified man charged across the stage and shoved the musician from behind. Travis Barker and DJ AM survived a fiery plane crash in South Carolina that killed four others. Janet Jackson left Island Def Jam for an autonomous situation without restrictions. Clay Aiken confirmed he is gay to People magazine. Metallica sold nearly half a million copies of "Death Magnetic" during its first three days in stores, making it the first band to have five albums debut at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. Many Houston area concerts, including Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' and Brad Paisley's performances, were canceled because of the damage done by Hurricane Ike.

October
Tina Turner kicked off her three-month-long comeback tour, featuring work spanning her four-decade career. The Foo Fighters and ZZ Top co-headlined Love Ride 25, said to be the world's largest one-day motorcycle fundraiser. Rolling Stone magazine changed their page size to a smaller, standard-sized format. Britney Spears unveiled her first single, "Womanizer," on an episode of MTV's "The Hills." The Portland Jazz Festival was saved from the chopping block by Alaska Airlines, the new title sponsor, following the withdrawal of previous sponsor Qwest. The Foo Fighters condemned the unauthorized use of "My Hero" by Senator John McCain's presidential campaign. Lisa Marie Presley gave birth to twin girls, Finley and Harper. After postponing nine concerts due to medical reasons, Janet Jackson was finally diagnosed with a rare migraine disorder. Madonna and Guy Ritchie confirmed rumors of their impending divorce. Ticketmaster acquired a controlling stake in Front Line Management Group, home of some of the biggest acts in the entertainment industry, including Eagles, Jimmy Buffett and Guns N' Roses. The New York Times announced U2 frontman Bono will write an occasional Op-Ed piece for the legendary paper beginning in 2009. Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew were murdered in Chicago, allegedly by her sister's estranged husband.

November
Scott Weiland stayed on the road after the STP reunion to support his solo album, "Happy In Galoshes." White Zombie released a career-spanning five-disc set featuring all 64 of the band's original studio recordings. Bruce Springsteen and Trent Reznor urged fans to vote on the eve of Election Day. Country legend Merle Haggard underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his lung. Deftones bassist Chi Cheng was seriously injured in a car accident that left the musician comatose in a California hospital. Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake made surprise appearances separately at the LA date on Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet Tour." George Strait became the artist with the most overall wins in the Country Music Association's history after taking home two more trophies for Album of the Year and Single of the Year. Rihanna pulled the plug on a performance in Jakarta, Indonesia due to security concerns. The Vines canceled their remaining 2008 and early 2009 concert dates, citing singer Craig Nicholls' deteriorating mental condition. Nine Inch Nails announced that Ilan Rubin will replace current drummer Josh Freese following their in-progress tour. Kanye West [ tickets ] debuted his new album, "808 & Heartbreak," in its entirety on MySpace three days prior to its release. Michael Jackson reached a settlement in the $7 million breach-of-contract suit filed against him by the Prince of Bahrain.

December
Britney Spears unveiled dates for an early 2009 comeback tour following the release of her sixth studio album, "Circus." Liza Minnelli returned to Broadway with a 12-piece orchestra in "Liza's At The Palace ...!" a production featuring her signature hits. Roy Orbison's final concert before his December 1988 death was released exclusively at Apple's iTunes store. South by Southwest officials announced that Quincy Jones will serve as the keynote speaker for the March music conference in Austin, TX. Joe Satriani filed a copyright-infringement lawsuit against members of Coldplay, claiming the band copied portions of his song "If I Could Fly" for their hit "Viva La Vida." Blur confirmed that the London rockers will reunite for a slew of UK gigs in July. Pearl Jam announced they will issue a reworked version of their breakthrough debut album, "Ten." Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons unveiled plans to record a new KISS album in the coming year, the first since 1998's "Psycho Circus." The Cure played an intimate, celebrity-packed free show in West Hollywood after publicizing it exclusively on MySpace. Country singer Mindy McCready was hospitalized in Nashville following an apparent suicide attempt. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) plans to abandon their long-standing practice of suing people for illegal file sharing of copyrighted music, and hopes to find more effective ways of battling music piracy.

2008 Deaths
Notable deaths in the music world throughout 2008 included Isaac Hayes, Bernie Mac, Larry Norman, Buddy Miles, Mike Smith (Dave Clark Five), Jeff Healey, Ola Brunkert (ABBA), Sean Levert, Lawrence Lloyd Brown, Sr. (Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes), Danny Federici (E Street Band), Chris Gaffney (Hacienda Brothers), Eddy Arnold, Dottie Rambo, Utah Phillips, Bo Diddley, Johnny Schou (Tickle Me Pink), Jerry Wexler, LeRoi Moore (Dave Matthews Band), Richard Wright (Pink Floyd), Earl Palmer, Aaron Fuller (Plan 9), Alton Ellis, Levi Stubbs (The Four Tops), Shakir Stewart, MC Breed, Odetta, Dennis Yost (Classics IV), Eartha Kitt and Freddie Hubbard.

August date for Quentin Tarantino World War II movie

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Controversial director Quentin Tarantino's take on World War II will hit movie theaters on August 21 2009, the studios behind the highly-anticipated film called "Inglourious Basterds" said on Wednesday.

Tarantino often takes a long time between projects. His last movie was a 2007 combined feature called "Grindhouse" made with director Robert Rodriguez, but he has not single-handedly directed a film since the 2004 "Kill Bill: Vol. 2."

The director's oddly spelled World War II epic "Inglourious Basterds" stars actor Brad Pitt, and production began in Europe in October.

Pitt plays a U.S. army lieutenant leading a group of soldiers operating behind Nazi lines, terrorizing the enemy.

"Inglourious Basterds" reportedly borrows from Spaghetti Westerns, the mostly Italian-made films of the 1960s and '70s that combine brutal violence and lyrical, fairytale-like qualities in a different take on Hollywood cowboy movies.

The film was inspired by the 1978 World War II movie "Quel maledetto treno blindato," also called "The Inglorious Bastards," from Italian director Enzo Castellari.

The August 21 release date of "Inglourious Basterds" is for the U.S. and Canada, and dates remain undetermined for its international release, said The Weinstein Company and Universal Pictures, which are jointly presenting the film.

Tarantino, who won an Oscar for his 1994 "Pulp Fiction" movie script, made the martial arts epics "Kill Bill: Vol. 1" (2003) and "Kill Bill: Vol. 2" (2004). The first film made $181 million worldwide and the sequel grossed $152 million, according to tracking firm Box Office Mojo.

Critics say Tarantino's films trivialize and stylize violence, but the director has a devoted fan base and has received numerous awards, including the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival for "Pulp Fiction."

Album sales plunge, digital downloads up

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Music sales have continued to slump in 2008 as the increased number of downloads of digital tracks failed to make up for a plunge in the sale of compact discs.

Year-end sales figures released Wednesday by The Nielsen Co. show total album sales, including album equivalents made up of single digital tracks, fell to 428.4 million units, down 8.5 percent from 500.5 million in 2007.

Physical album sales fell 20 percent to 362.6 million from 450.5 million, while digital album sales rose 32 percent to a record 65.8 million units.

Digital track sales, such as those conducted in Apple Inc.'s iTunes Music Store, were up 27 percent from last year, breaking the 1 billion mark for the first time at 1.07 billion.

The report continues a troubling trend for the recording industry, which has a harder time maintaining profits when consumers buy single songs instead of albums. The number of transactions rose 10.5 percent to 1.5 billion, although the figure treats single track and whole album purchases the same.

"You can see the overall unit sales as a positive, but their model is really built on album sales and that just continues to decline," said Silvio Pietroluongo, director of charts for Billboard magazine.

"Music consumption has never been at a higher clip, it's just a matter of trying to turn it into revenue," he added.

Some record labels are making progress. Craig Kallman, chief executive of Warner Music Group Corp.'s Atlantic Records, whose artists include Kid Rock and T.I., said his label passed a milestone in the year to September by having its digital revenue exceed that from physical CD sales.

The label, the top-selling in the U.S. in 2008, has had to become more careful in choosing which artists to promote and more patient in waiting for their songs to break out, he said.

"You have to really be right about your hits. If you're going to invest that amount of time in them and not run as many records, you have to be way more right today than wrong," Kallman said.

Nielsen SoundScan said album sales fell in every genre. Classical music saw the biggest drop at 26 percent, followed by country at 24 percent and Latin at 21.1 percent.

Taylor Swift was the year's best-selling artist with more than 4 million albums sold, followed by AC/DC, Lil Wayne and Coldplay. Sugarland finished No. 8.
Swift had two albums on Nielsen's Top 10 sales list: her self-titled debut at No. 6 and her sophomore album "Fearless" at No. 3.

"Taylor Swift is a great artist development story that started as organically as you can in the digital age," said Scott Borchetta, president and CEO of her label, Big Machine Records. "It involved online, non-stop radio tours and strategic TV opportunities which led to non-stop touring. But — most importantly — Taylor connected with her fans like no other artist in 2008."

Lil Wayne had the year's top-selling album, "Tha Carter III," with 2.87 million units sold, with Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" (2.14 million) and Swift's "Fearless" (2.11 million) rounding out the top three.

The top selling digital artist was Rihanna with 9.94 million tracks sold, followed by Swift and Kayne West.

Ironically, as digital downloads grew, vinyl album sales also climbed. In 2008, more vinyl albums were purchased (1.88 million) than any other year since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991.

More than two of every three vinyl albums were purchased at an independent music store during the year, the company reported. The top selling vinyl albums were Radiohead's "In Rainbows" (26,000 units), the Beatles' "Abbey Road" (16,500) and Guns 'N Roses' "Chinese Democracy" (13,600).

Nielsen also reported that music sales exceeded 65 million in the final week of 2008, representing the biggest sales week in the history of Nielsen SoundScan. The previous record was Christmas week of 2007 with 58.4 million music purchases.