'Avatar' wins box office, nears domestic record

NEW YORK – "Avatar" is on the cusp of toppling the domestic box-office record after leading all movies for a seventh straight week.

James Cameron's 3-D epic earned $30 million over the weekend, and its domestic total reached $594.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. That puts the film only about $6 million behind the domestic record set by Cameron's "Titanic" in 1998 with $600.8 million.

Earlier this week, the 20th Century Fox blockbuster passed "Titanic" for the worldwide box-office record. It has now crossed the $2 billion worldwide mark with $2.039 billion, easily beating the $1.8 billion made by "Titanic."

"You have to do a double take when you see these numbers," said Paul, Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com, marveling that "Avatar" decreased only 14 percent from the previous weekend. "James Cameron is the king of the box office hold."

So close to the domestic box-office record, "Avatar" could pass "Titanic," interestingly enough, on Tuesday — when Oscar nominations are announced. The film is expected to be nominated for best picture, as well as numerous other categories.

Those nominations could mean an Oscar bump for "Avatar," further propelling its gross.

Whereas the sustained box-office performance of "Titanic" has typically been attributed to teenage girls seeing the film repeatedly, the demographics for "Avatar" are less clear. One draw for repeat business is surely the 3-D visual effects.

"It's everybody going repeatedly," said Dergarabedian. "At first it was more of a fanboy experience, and then the word got out."

Analysts believe the lengthy run from "Avatar" is likely hurting the business of other films.

Mel Gibson's revenge-thriller "Edge of Darkness," debuted this weekend with $17.1 million for Warner Bros., a respectable if slightly low total. Dan Fellman, head of distribution at Warner Bros., called it a "solid opening."

"On a normal weekend, we probably would have had the number one film," said Fellman, shrugging at the out-of-this-world competition from "Avatar."

"Edge of Darkness" had been widely seen as a test to whether Gibson can return to headlining a film, after eight years and damage to his image. The last movie he starred in was "Signs" in 2002. Four years later, he made anti-Semitic remarks during a drunken-driving arrest.

But "Darkness" has received mostly good reviews. Fellman said the studio's data showed approximately 70 percent of those seeing the film said they came to see Gibson.

"It certainly marks an interesting return for Mel Gibson," said Fellman. "When this film plays out, I think his star will shine a little brighter."

Also in its first weekend of release was "When in Rome," the Walt Disney romantic comedy starring Kristen Bell. It took in $12.1 million.

Many films will hope for a box-office boost from the Academy Awards after nominations are announced Tuesday morning. The Oscar effect, though, may be slightly different this year, since the academy has expanded best picture nominees from five to ten.

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. "Avatar," $30 million.
2. "Edge of Darkness," $17.1 million.
3. "When in Rome," $12.1 million.
4. "The Tooth Fairy," $10 million.
5. "The Book of Eli," $8.8 million.
6. "Legion," $6.8 million.
7. "The Lovely Bones," $4.7 million.
8. "Sherlock Holmes," $4.5 million.
9. "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," $4 million.
10. "It's Complicated," $3.7 million.

Oscar nomination predictions

Oscar nominations will be unveiled Tuesday morning. Here's what we expect to happen:

BEST PICTURE
"Avatar"
"District 9"
"An Education"
"The Hurt Locker"
"Inglourious Basterds"
"Invictus"
"Precious"
"A Serious Man"
"Up"
"Up in the Air"

Vulnerable on the list above are "District 9," "Invictus" and "A Serious Man," which can be bumped by "The Hangover," "The Messenger," "A Single Man" or "Star Trek."

BEST DIRECTOR
Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker"
James Cameron, "Avatar"
Lee Daniels, "Precious"
Jason Reitman, "Up in the Air"
Quentin Tarantino, "Inglourious Basterds"

These seem to be set in stone.

BEST ACTOR
Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"
George Clooney, "Up in the Air"
Colin Firth, "A Single Man"
Morgan Freeman, "Invictus"
Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker"

Jeremy Renner may be bumped by Viggo Mortensen ("The Road").

BEST ACTRESS
Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"
Helen Mirren, "The Last Station"
Carey Mulligan, "An Education"
Gabourey Sidibe, "Precious"
Meryl Streep, "Julie & Julia"

Emily Blunt ("The Young Victoria") might dethrone one of the above.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Woody Harrelson, "The Messenger"
Christian McKay, "Me and Orson Welles"
Christopher Plummer, "The Last Station"
Stanley Tucci, "The Lovely Bones"
Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds"

This is one of the toughest categories to predict because there are too many other strong contenders, including Matt Damon ("Invictus"), Alec Baldwin ("It's Complicated"), Anthony Mackie ("The Hurt Locker") and Alfred Molina and Peter Sarsgaard ("An Education"). I put Christian McKay on my list because he gives a flashy portrayal of one of Hollywood's most idolized heroes, Orson Welles, in what is arguably a lead performance. Like Woody Harrelson, I think he even has a longshot chance to beat Christoph Waltz, but McKay's campaign DVD was sent rather late. That could hurt his chance of getting on this list.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Vera Farmiga, "Up in the Air"
Anna Kendrick, "Up in the Air"
Melanie Laurent, "Inglourious Basterds"
Mo'Nique, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
Samantha Morton, "The Messenger"

A different "Inglourious Basterds" star, Diane Kruger, got nommed at SAG, but she didn't have to battle Laurent, who competed in the lead race. Oscar voters can put actors in whatever category they choose and I think they'll put Laurent where she belongs, in supporting. But there's a strong chance that Julianne Moore ("A Single Man") could break through here too.

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
"Avatar"
"Inglourious Basterds"
"The Hurt Locker"
"Up"
"A Serious Man"

I know, I know, James Cameron didn't get nominated for "Titanic," but I think that was because misogynist academy members pooh-poohed the screenplay for its wild, romantic ache. "Avatar" is more to their machismo taste, and to members of the Writers Guild where it got nommed. I know, I know, WGA nommed "Titanic" too and that didn't result in an Oscar bid, but over at the academy, I think all is forgiven now. That may mean a cold shoulder for "(500) Days of Summer."

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
"An Education"
"District 9"
"Julie & Julia"
"Precious"
"Up in the Air"

"Julie & Julia" is vulnerable, could be ousted by "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "A Single Man," "Invictus" or "The Road."

New Zealand musician Pauly Fuemana of "How Bizarre" fame dies

WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand musician Pauly Fuemana, who found international fame with his country's biggest selling record ever, "How Bizarre," died in hospital on Sunday after a short illness, according to media reports.

The 40-year-old recorded under the name OMC, or Otara Millionaires Club, whose 1995 single "How Bizarre" reached No. 1 in eight countries, including Canada, Australia and Ireland. It peaked at No. 4 on the radio chart in the United States.

The deceptively upbeat song -- whose title was inspired by a ubiquitous catchphrase -- revolved around peculiar encounters with policemen and circus performers. But behind the catchy melody and Mariachi horns lurked a darker story, hinting at Fuemana's upbringing in a crime-infested suburb of New Zealand's biggest city.

"I put a lot of hidden stories in there so people could read between the lines and sense it for what it is instead of telling them, 'Yeah, we got pulled over by the cops, and my mate got his head smashed in, and we got arrested, and they found some pot on him,'" Fuemana told Reuters in a 1997 interview.

Fuemana failed to match the success of "How Bizarre," and was declared bankrupt in 2006, losing his house and other assets, including his songwriting royalties.

The Otara Millionaires Club was originally a rap group named for a suburb of Auckland where offshoots of Los Angeles' Crips and Bloods gangs reigned amid fenced-off schools, run-down buildings and curfews. Brandishing machetes, the preferred means of settling gang disputes, the band would throw bottles at fans to hype them up.

When things got too hot, Fuemana quit the group in early 1995, took the name with him and recorded "How Bizarre" as a solo artist under the abbreviated moniker. It was produced and co-written by Alan Jansson .

The follow-up album of the same name, made for just US$25,000, was released worldwide by PolyGram the following year.

After Fuemana's star faded he kept a low profile. He and Jannson reunited in 2007 to release a single "4 All of Us."

Radio New Zealand said Fuemana had been ill for several months and was surrounded by his family and friends when he died in Auckland.

Kathryn Bigelow tops directors with 'Hurt Locker'

LOS ANGELES – Kathryn Bigelow and "The Hurt Locker" became official awards-season front-runners Saturday after Bigelow won the top prize from the Directors Guild of America.

The 58-year-old filmmaker is the first woman to win the guild's top honor, which positions her and the film as shoe-ins for the Academy Awards. The DGA boasts that its winner has gone on to win the Oscar all but six times since 1948.

"This is the most incredible moment of my life," Bigelow said backstage. She downplayed her gender, saying, "I suppose I like to think of myself as a filmmaker."

Still, she was the only nominated director who earned accolades for her physique as well as her filmmaking. Bigelow was up against Quentin Tarantino for "Inglourious Basterds," Jason Reitman for "Up in the Air," Lee Daniels for "Precious" and her ex-husband James Cameron for "Avatar."

"Hurt Locker" star Jeremy Renner called Bigelow "a warrior, my champion and the most fortunate actor's director."

Tarantino praised her as "queen of directors." He said his fellow nominees have been spending so much time together, they have become "like a superstar rock band and we're going to go on tour together."

Clutching a shiny medallion as a souvenir of his DGA nomination, Tarantino said, "I don't give a (expletive) who wins, I am so happy to have this."

Daniels said the nominated directors, who have seen each other regularly throughout Hollywood's awards season, are "like a support group" for one another.

"We have each other's backs," he said.

He told Bigelow, "You are bold. You are brave. You are gutsy."

Reitman told the winning director that he grew up watching her films.

"You are more than a great director, you are one of the greats," he said. "I'm in awe of you, too."

Cameron praised his competitors as "truly excellent and brilliant filmmakers."

Bigelow said just being nominated for the Directors Guild honor is "kind of the pinnacle for the already wild ride 'The Hurt Locker' has put me on."

The four-hour affair at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel drew a spate of celebrities, including Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Jodie Foster, Jon Cryer, Cheryl Hines and Jason Bateman. All but Jolie served as presenters during Saturday's ceremony.

Carl Reiner hosted the event recognizing achievements in directing, as he has for 22 years.

"Modern Family" won the top honor for television comedy for its pilot, directed by Jason Winer.

"I want to thank the DGA for validating the Napoleon complex I've had ever since I was a smaller boy," the diminutive director said.

The drama prize went to "Mad Men" and director Lesli Linka Glatter. Ross Katz was honored for the HBO movie "Taking Chance." Louie Psihoyos' film "The Cove" won the documentary award.

"The film plays like a prequel to 'Avatar,' only it's real and set in the present," Psihoyos said.

Cher presented Norman Jewison with the guild's Lifetime Achievement Award for his career in film.

"The studio heads maybe have all the power, but we've got the glory," he said. "And when you receive the lifetime achievement award like this, it makes you very nervous, like maybe you're going to fall off the perch or something."

The 83-year-old filmmaker accepted the award surrounded by his family, including his four grandchildren.

Cher said she would have gone to the moon to present Jewison with the honor.

"He has changed my life," said Cher, who starred in "Moonstruck," Jewison's 1987 hit. "I love him so much."

Roger Goodman was presented the guild's lifetime achievement award in news direction. Disney chief Robert Iger and Warner Bros. chief Barry Meyer were granted honorary life memberships in the guild.

Among other guild winners:

• Reality programming: Craig Borders, "Hong Kong Bridge."

• Children's programs: Allison Liddi-Brown, "Princess Protection Program."

• Daytime serials: Christopher Goutman, "As the World Turns: Once Upon a Time."

• Commercials: Tom Kuntz.

Among Hollywood's many honors leading up to the Academy Awards, the Directors Guild prizes have one of the best track records for predicting eventual Oscar winners.

Academy Award nominations will be announced Tuesday.

Leonard Cohen thanks Canada

LOS ANGELES - With the Grammy Awards about to honour Leonard Cohen, the 75-year-old Montreal legend decided to pay respect to his home country during a party at the Canadian consul general's residence on Thursday.

Cohen, clad in a dark suit with his trademark fedora shading his eyes, climbed onstage alongside a group of other artists at the gathering - held annually in honour of Canadian Grammy nominees - before making a brief speech to the cheers of a grateful crowd.

"My great grandfather, Lazarus Cohen, came to Canada in 1869, to the county of Glengarry, a little town in Maberly," Cohen said.

"It's customary to thank people for the help and aid they've given. On this occasion, because of the great hospitality that was accorded my ancestor who came here over 140 years ago, I want to thank this country, Canada, for allowing us to live and work and flourish in a place that was different from all other places in the world.

"So I thank Canada for the opportunity that was given me to work and play and flourish. ... Thank you, friends."

While Cohen made only a brief appearance at the party, his presence carried weight with the other attendees.

"It's nice to be up there with an icon," said Steve Wood of Alberta powwow dance group Northern Cree, nominated for a fifth time for best native American album, who stood next to Cohen onstage.

Cohen will be honoured on Saturday with a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy, which puts on the Grammys.

The celebrated musician and poet, oddly, has only ever won one Grammy and it wasn't for one of his own albums. He earned a trophy for contributing vocals to Herbie Hancock's "River: The Joni Letters," which won album of the year in 2008.

The group of Canadian Grammy hopefuls who attended the poolside party on Thursday could then potentially match Cohen's tally at Sunday's 51st Grammy Awards (Global, 8 p.m. ET).

Nominees in attendance included Montreal trip-rock band Beast and producer David Foster, whose brief visit was long enough to brighten fellow nominee Melanie Fiona's night.

"I was very excited to meet David Foster," said the beaming Toronto singer, who's up for best female R&B vocal performance.

"I got to meet him as soon as I came through the door."

The showcase featured performances from Toronto hip-hop artist K'naan, St. John's, N.L., indie-rockers Hey Rosetta and Vancouver singer-songwriter Dan Mangan.

While Cohen might have been considered the guest of honour, it was producer Daniel Lanois who was the life of the party.

Clad in a black leather jacket and snug jeans with a pair of sunglasses obscuring his eyes, a smiling Lanois arrived toward the beginning of the party, happily chatting with anyone who approached him. When asked by a reporter if there were any stars he was hoping to meet at Sunday's gala, he shrugged and said "Satan?" before laughing and clarifying that he was only joking.

Later, he hopped onstage unexpectedly for an impromptu after-show bonus performance with his guests, country legend Emmylou Harris and singer Trixie Whitley. It was one of the only moments during which a chatty crowd composed of musicians, Grammy organizers, industry folk and journalists actually fell silent.

And for Lanois's finale, he rode into the balmy night atop a motorcycle, pausing to wave to a cluster of valets and party-goers who were lingering around the driveway.

Lanois has won seven Grammys. He isn't directly nominated this year, but he produced and co-wrote several tracks on U2's "No Line on the Horizon," which is up for three awards.

He says he thinks the Grammys are moving in the right direction.

"I think they're catching people on the rise rather than waiting for people to get to the top," he said.

"Because when we're on our way up, that's when we need the most help. So it's nice when you can get someone complimenting you and encouraging you as you're building your career."

Meanwhile, Pierre Cossette wasn't far from the minds of many attending the party. The Valleyfield, Que., native - considered by most to be the father of the Grammy Awards - died in September.

A collage of photographs of Cossette stood next to the stage, along with a TV screen looping a slide show of Cossette pictured with stars including Celine Dion and Will Smith.

Cossette's wife, Mary, spoke in his honour.

"My very deepest gratitude and thanks for honouring my husband, Pierre Cossette, who spent his life loving music and encouraging music of all kinds to be written and recorded and produced and thereby making the world a happier place," she said.

"His greatest pride was his Canadian heritage."

RIP Miramax

It sprang to life in 1979 as the brainchild of bullish movie producers Harvey and Bob Weinstein, and was named after their parents, but after a slow death from thousands of cuts, Miramax was officially closed today by Disney.

During its early years, the Weinsteins scrappily kept the ship afloat, shoved boundaries and helped bring the world the likes of Sex, Lies And Videotape, Clerks, The Piano, Reservoir Dogs, The Crying Game and The English Patient.

Rumours of the Weinsteins' bullying tactics and hard demeanor were rife, but they certainly seemed to have a keen eye for talent and an understanding of how to channel that into success.

Though it was bought for $70 million by Disney in 1993, the brothers continued to run Miramax with an enviable level of creative control, and pushed their already legendary Oscar-hunting style to new heights with the expanded funding offered by the Mouse House. Among the successes as winners or nominees were Shakespeare In Love, Chicago and The Talented Mr Ripley.

But money was also a constant problem, and the Weinsteins began to clash with Michael Eisner. In 2005, Bob and Harvey left the company, forced to let go of the Miramax named and formed The Weinstein Company, which currently struggles with financing issues.

"Miramax wasn't just a bad-boy clubhouse, it was a 20th century Olympus: throw a can of Diet Coke and you hit a modern-day deity," recalls Kevin Smith at The Wrap. "And for one brief, shining moment, it was an age of magic and wonders. I'm crushed to see it pass into history, because I owe everything I have to Miramax. Without them, I'd still be a New Jersey convenience store register jockey. In practice, not just in my head."

"I'm feeling very nostalgic right now," Harvey tells the site. "I know the movies made on my and my brother Bob's watch will live on as well as the fantastic films made under the direction of Daniel Battsek. Miramax has some brilliant people working within the organization and I know they will go on to do great things in the industry."

All that remains now is to think of the children - along with 80 people losing their jobs in New York and LA, the six movies still under the banner, including The Tempest and The Debt, face an uncertain future.

Miramax, then… Gone, but not forgotten.

'Catcher in the Rye' author J.D. Salinger dies

NEW YORK – J.D. Salinger, the legendary author, youth hero and fugitive from fame whose "The Catcher in the Rye" shocked and inspired a world he increasingly shunned, has died. He was 91.

Salinger died of natural causes at his home on Wednesday, the author's son said in a statement from Salinger's literary representative. He had lived for decades in self-imposed isolation in the small, remote house in Cornish, N.H.

"The Catcher in the Rye," with its immortal teenage protagonist, the twisted, rebellious Holden Caulfield, came out in 1951, a time of anxious, Cold War conformity and the dawn of modern adolescence. The Book-of-the-Month Club, which made "Catcher" a featured selection, advised that for "anyone who has ever brought up a son" the novel will be "a source of wonder and delight — and concern."

Enraged by all the "phonies" who make "me so depressed I go crazy," Holden soon became American literature's most famous anti-hero since Huckleberry Finn. The novel's sales are astonishing — more than 60 million copies worldwide — and its impact incalculable. Decades after publication, the book remains a defining expression of that most American of dreams — to never grow up.

Salinger was writing for adults, but teenagers from all over identified with the novel's themes of alienation, innocence and fantasy, not to mention the luck of having the last word. "Catcher" presents the world as an ever-so-unfair struggle between the goodness of young people and the corruption of elders, a message that only intensified with the oncoming generation gap.

Novels from Evan Hunter's "The Blackboard Jungle" to Curtis Sittenfeld's "Prep," movies from "Rebel Without a Cause" to "The Breakfast Club," and countless rock 'n' roll songs echoed Salinger's message of kids under siege. One of the great anti-heroes of the 1960s, Benjamin Braddock of "The Graduate," was but a blander version of Salinger's narrator.

The cult of "Catcher" turned tragic in 1980 when crazed Beatles fan Mark David Chapman shot and killed John Lennon, citing Salinger's novel as an inspiration and stating that "this extraordinary book holds many answers."

By the 21st century, Holden himself seemed relatively mild, but Salinger's book remained a standard in school curriculums and was discussed on countless Web sites and a fan page on Facebook.

Salinger's other books don't equal the influence or sales of "Catcher," but they are still read, again and again, with great affection and intensity. Critics, at least briefly, rated Salinger as a more accomplished and daring short story writer than John Cheever.

The collection "Nine Stories" features the classic "A Perfect Day for Bananafish," the deadpan account of a suicidal Army veteran and the little girl he hopes, in vain, will save him. The novel "Franny and Zooey," like "Catcher," is a youthful, obsessively articulated quest for redemption, featuring a memorable argument between Zooey and his mother as he attempts to read in the bathtub.

"Catcher," narrated from a mental facility, begins with Holden recalling his expulsion from a Pennsylvania boarding school for failing four classes and for general apathy.

He returns home to Manhattan, where his wanderings take him everywhere from a Times Square hotel to a rainy carousel ride with his kid sister, Phoebe, in Central Park. He decides he wants to escape to a cabin out West, but scorns questions about his future as just so much phoniness.

"I mean how do you know what you're going to do till you do it?" he reasons. "The answer is, you don't. I think I am, but how do I know? I swear it's a stupid question."

"The Catcher in the Rye" became both required and restricted reading, periodically banned by a school board or challenged by parents worried by its frank language and the irresistible chip on Holden's shoulder.

"I'm aware that a number of my friends will be saddened, or shocked, or shocked-saddened, over some of the chapters of `The Catcher in the Rye.' Some of my best friends are children. In fact, all of my best friends are children," Salinger wrote in 1955, in a short note for "20th Century Authors."

"It's almost unbearable to me to realize that my book will be kept on a shelf out of their reach," he added.

Salinger also wrote the novellas "Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters" and "Seymour — An Introduction," both featuring the neurotic, fictional Glass family which appeared in much of his work.

His last published story, "Hapworth 16, 1928," ran in The New Yorker in 1965. By then he was increasingly viewed like a precocious child whose manner had soured from cute to insufferable. "Salinger was the greatest mind ever to stay in prep school," Norman Mailer once commented.

In 1997, it was announced that "Hapworth" would be reissued as a book — prompting a (negative) New York Times review. The book, in typical Salinger style, didn't appear. In 1999, New Hampshire neighbor Jerry Burt said the author had told him years earlier that he had written at least 15 unpublished books kept locked in a safe at his home.

"I love to write and I assure you I write regularly," Salinger said in a brief interview with the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate in 1980. "But I write for myself, for my own pleasure. And I want to be left alone to do it."

Jerome David Salinger was born Jan. 1, 1919, in New York City. His father was a wealthy importer of cheeses and meat and the family lived for years on Park Avenue.

Like Holden, Salinger was an indifferent student with a history of trouble in various schools. He was sent to Valley Forge Military Academy at age 15, where he wrote at night by flashlight beneath the covers and eventually earned his only diploma. In 1940, he published his first fiction, "The Young Folks," in Story magazine.

He served in the Army from 1942 to 1946, carrying a typewriter with him most of the time, writing "whenever I can find the time and an unoccupied foxhole," he told a friend.

Returning to New York, the lean, dark-haired Salinger pursued an intense study of Zen Buddhism but also cut a gregarious figure in the bars of Greenwich Village, where he astonished acquaintances with his proficiency in rounding up dates. One drinking buddy, author A.E. Hotchner, would remember Salinger as the proud owner of an "ego of cast iron," contemptuous of writers and writing schools, convinced that he was the best thing to happen to American letters since Herman Melville.

Holden first appeared as a character in the story "Last Day of the Last Furlough," published in 1944 in the Saturday Evening Post. Salinger's stories ran in several magazines, especially The New Yorker, where excerpts from "Catcher" were published.

The finished novel quickly became a best seller and early reviews were blueprints for the praise and condemnation to come. The New York Times found the book "an unusually brilliant first novel" and observed that Holden's "delinquencies seem minor indeed when contrasted with the adult delinquencies with which he is confronted."

But the Christian Science Monitor was not charmed. "He is alive, human, preposterous, profane and pathetic beyond belief," critic T. Morris Longstreth wrote of Holden.

"Fortunately, there cannot be many of him yet. But one fears that a book like this given wide circulation may multiply his kind - as too easily happens when immortality and perversion are recounted by writers of talent whose work is countenanced in the name of art or good intention."

The world had come calling for Salinger, but Salinger was bolting the door. By 1952, he had migrated to Cornish. Three years later, he married Claire Douglas, with whom he had two children, Peggy and Matthew, before their 1967 divorce. (Salinger was also briefly married in the 1940s to a woman named Sylvia; little else is known about her).

Meanwhile, he was refusing interviews, instructing his agent to forward no fan mail and reportedly spending much of his time writing in a cement bunker. Sanity, apparently, could only come through seclusion.

"I thought what I'd do was, I'd pretend I was one of those deaf-mutes," Holden says in "Catcher."

"That way I wouldn't have to have any ... stupid useless conversations with anybody. If anybody wanted to tell me something, they'd have to write it on a piece of paper and shove it over to me. I'd build me a little cabin somewhere with the dough I made."

Although Salinger initially contemplated a theater production of "Catcher," with the author himself playing Holden, he turned down numerous offers for film or stage rights, including requests from Billy Wilder and Elia Kazan. Bids from Steven Spielberg and Harvey Weinstein also were rejected.

Salinger became famous for not wanting to be famous. In 1982, he sued a man who allegedly tried to sell a fictitious interview with the author to a national magazine. The impostor agreed to desist and Salinger dropped the suit.

Five years later, another Salinger legal action resulted in an important decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. The high court refused to allow publication of an unauthorized biography, by Ian Hamilton, that quoted from the author's unpublished letters. Salinger had copyrighted the letters when he learned about Hamilton's book, which came out in a revised edition in 1988.

In 2009, Salinger sued to halt publication of John David California's "60 Years Later," an unauthorized sequel to "Catcher" that imagined Holden in his 70s, misanthropic as ever.

Against Salinger's will, the curtain was parted in recent years. In 1998, author Joyce Maynard published her memoir "At Home in the World," in which she detailed her eight-month affair with Salinger in the early 1970s, when she was less than half his age. She drew an unflattering picture of a controlling personality with eccentric eating habits, and described their problematic sex life.

Salinger's alleged adoration of children apparently did not extend to his own. In 2000, daughter Margaret Salinger's "Dreamcatcher" portrayed the writer as an unpleasant recluse who drank his own urine and spoke in tongues.

Ms. Salinger said she wrote the book because she was "absolutely determined not to repeat with my son what had been done with me."

Chris Martin guests on 'Simpsons'

Remember that old Coldplay song, Yellow? Well, lead singer Chris Martin really is taking it to heart this Sunday when he gets animated on The Simpsons.

Martin will make a guest voice appearance in a new episode titled Million Dollar Maybe on Fox and Global.

After Homer wins the lottery and finds himself with lots of disposable income, he and Bart purchase front-row seats to a Coldplay concert. They’re so close, in fact, that they find themselves having a conversation with Martin, guest-voicing as himself.

Martin joins a long list of famous musicians who have voiced yellow Simpsons-ized versions of themselves through the years, including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, Sting, Bono, Tom Jones, Linda Ronstadt and Little Richard, among many others.

Apple Unveils 'iPad' Tablet Device

Apple Inc Chief Executive Steve Jobs took the wraps off the "iPad" tablet on Wednesday, looking to define a new category of wireless device that will play video, games and all sorts of other media.

Jobs, who returned to the helm last year after a much-scrutinized liver transplant, is hoping to sell consumers on the value of tablet computing after numerous technology companies had failed to do so in recent years.

Called the "iPad," the device is Apple's biggest product launch since the iPhone three years ago, and arguably rivals the smartphone as the most anticipated in Apple's history.

After months of feverish speculation on the Internet and among investors, Jobs took the stage at a jam-packed theater in San Francisco and, with his famed showman's flair, began detailing the device's basic features.

The iPad has a near life-sized touch keyboard and supports Web browsing. It comes with a built-in calendar and address book, Jobs said.

Technology enthusiasts had expected to see a sleek, full-color, 10-inch gadget with a touchscreen interface and wireless connectivity, designed for snacking on all sorts of media from videos to games to electronic books and newspapers.

Despite the buzz surrounding the launch and Apple's storied golden touch on consumer electronics, the tablet is not necessarily an easy sell, analysts say.

Consumer appetite for a gadget that sits somewhere between a smartphone and a laptop has yet to be proven, though plenty of devices such as Amazon.com's Kindle e-reader are vying for that market.

Apple had been mum, so the market had been rife with speculation about the device.

Shares of Apple have generally risen ahead of Wednesday's event. The stock slipped on Nasdaq to about $201.67, still within reach of its all-time high of $215.59 logged on January 5.

As iPod sales wane, Apple is looking for another growth engine and hopes to find one in the tablet. But the move is not without risk. Consumers have never warmed to tablet computers, despite many previous attempts by other companies.

In an online poll on reuters.com, 37 percent of more than 1,000 respondents said they would pay $500-$699 for the tablet. Nearly 30 percent weren't interested, while 20 percent said they would pay $700-$899. (For more details, see here)

Analysts' sales predictions for the tablet vary widely, with many believing Apple can sell 2 million to 5 million units in the first year.

Jay Leno tells Oprah he'd like to talk to Conan O'Brien

To promote Jay Leno’s appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show tomorrow, Harpo Productions released a short transcript from the interview that was taped yesterday on the set of the comedian’s cancelled primetime show. There’s nothing extraordinary about this particular exchange – Leno typically keeps his feelings to himself during most interviews — but apparently, he goes on to address his decision to return to The Tonight Show and the public reaction to the negotiations, which is obviously being reserved for tomorrow’s broadcast. Here’s an excerpt from the interview:

Winfrey Have you talked to Conan in person?

Leno I haven’t talked to him through all this. No. I haven’t.

Winfrey Did you want to pick up the phone?

Leno Yeah, but it didn’t seem appropriate.

Winfrey Why?

Leno I don’t know. I think it — let things cool down and maybe we’ll talk, you know.

Winfrey Were any of the things that he said about you hurtful?

Leno No. They were jokes. And that’s okay. I mean –

Winfrey So jokes don’t hurt you.

Leno It’s what we do, you know? You can’t — it’s like being a fighter and say when you got punched in the head, did it hurt? Well, yeah. But you’re a fighter. That’s what you do.

Murray injured in ski accident

Actor Bill Murray was hopping around on a crutch at the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday, after injuring himself in a ski accident.

The Lost In Translation star was in so much pain from his injured leg, he had to sit and cool down his knee with a bucket full of ice at the film event in Utah, according to RadarOnline.com.

A source tells the website, "He couldn’t move very well because of his leg brace. But he was shimmying as best as he could... He was suddenly sitting down with the Svedka ice bucket on his lap. One guy went up and asked him if he was the guardian of the ice, and Bill laughed and said it was to cool down his knee, which was acting up."

Pernell Roberts, last star of TV's `Bonanza,' dies

LOS ANGELES – Pernell Roberts, the ruggedly handsome actor who shocked Hollywood by leaving TV's "Bonanza" at the height of its popularity, then found fame again years later on "Trapper John, M.D.," has died. He was 81.

Roberts, the last surviving member of the classic Western's cast, died of cancer Sunday at his Malibu home, his wife Eleanor Criswell told the Los Angeles Times.

Although he rocketed to fame in 1959 as Adam Cartwright, eldest son of a Nevada ranching family led by Lorne Greene's patriarchal Ben Cartwright, Roberts chafed at the limitations he felt his "Bonanza" character was given.

"They told me the four characters (Greene, himself and Dan Blocker and Michael Landon as his brothers) would be carefully defined and the scripts carefully prepared," he complained to The Associated Press in 1964. "None of it ever happened."

It particularly distressed him that his character, a man in his 30s, had to continually defer to the wishes of his widowed father.

"Doesn't it seem a bit silly for three adult males to get Father's permission for everything they do?" he once asked a reporter.

Roberts agreed to fulfill his six-year contract but refused to extend it, and when he left the series in 1965, his character was eliminated with the explanation that he had simply moved away.

"Bonanza," with its three remaining stars, continued until 1973, making it second to "Gunsmoke" as the longest-running Western on TV. Blocker died in 1972, Greene in 1987, and Landon in 1991.

When Roberts left the show the general feeling in Hollywood was that he had foolishly doomed his career and turned his back on a fortune in "Bonanza" earnings.

Indeed, for the next 14 years he mainly made appearances on TV shows and in miniseries, or toured with such theatrical productions as "The King and I, "Camelot" and "The Music Man."

His TV credits during that time included "The Virginian," "Hawaii Five-O," "Mission Impossible," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "Banacek," "Ironside" and "Mannix."

Then, in 1979, he landed another series, "Trapper John, M.D.," in which he played the title role.

The character, but little else, was spun off from the brilliant Korean War comedy-drama "M-A-S-H," in which Wayne Rogers had played the offbeat Dr. "Trapper" John McIntire opposite Alan Alda's Dr. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce.

Rogers had left that series after just three seasons.

In "Trapper John, M.D.," the Korean War was nearly 30 years past and Roberts' character was now a balding, middle-aged chief of surgery at San Francisco Memorial Hospital. He no longer fought the establishment, having learned how to deal with it with patience and wry humor.

The series, praised for its serious treatment of the surgical world, aired until 1986.

Roberts' other venture into series TV was "FBI: The Untold Stories" (1991-1993), in which he acted as host and narrator.

Pernell Roberts Jr. was born in 1928 in Waycross, Ga. As a young man, he once commented, "I distinguished myself by flunking out of college three times." After pursuing occupations that ranged from tombstone maker to railroad riveter, he decided to become an actor.

Roberts worked extensively in regional theaters, then gained notice in New York, where he won a Drama Desk award in 1956 for his performance in an off-Broadway production of "Macbeth."

He eventually moved to Hollywood, where he appeared in several TV shows and landed character roles in such features as "Desire Under the Elms," "The Sheepman" and "Ride Lonesome" until "Bonanza" made him a star.

Three of Roberts' marriages ended in divorce. His first, to Vera Mowry, produced a son, Jonathan, who died in 1989 at age 37.

'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' marks 7th anniversary with guests Harrison Ford, Kristen Bell

LOS ANGELES - There is happiness to be found in late-night TV these days. Just ask Jimmy Kimmel, who is celebrating the seventh anniversary of his ABC show Tuesday with guest Harrison Ford.

Ford is set to deliver a "very special" gift to the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" host to mark the occasion, ABC said Monday.

"People often ask me if I ever imagined we'd be on the air this long," Kimmel said. "It's a weird compliment wrapped in an insult, but I'll take it."

He added that he feels lucky to work "for a network that showed enough patience to allow us to grow and, more importantly, pays almost no attention to what goes on after midnight."

Kimmel's milestone comes just days after Conan O'Brien ended his seven-month tenure as "Tonight" host, with Jay Leno set to reclaim the job he left last year. O'Brien's exit was preceded by a bitter public battle with NBC over its plan to shift him to a post-midnight slot.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs at 12:05 a.m. EST weeknights on ABC. Also appearing on the anniversary show Tuesday are Kristen Bell and the Silversun Pickups band.

Among the highlights of Kimmel's run: a pair of comic films that went on to become Internet sensations, one in which Matt Damon and Kimmel's on-again, off-again girlfriend Sarah Silverman sing of their faux hot love affair, and the other with Kimmel striking back by claiming a romance with Damon's pal Ben Affleck.

Fox Promises That Robert Rodriguez’s MACHETE Will Indeed Be a Feature Film

It may be that longest lasting impact of the double feature b-movie Grindhouse on film culture is interlude of five fake trailers between Robert Rodriguez’s Planet Terror and Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof. One of the standouts was the Rodriguez-directed Machete, starring Danny Trejo as a Latino with a vendetta who is outfitted mostly in leather and cutlery Somehow, that trailer is set to be adapted into a real, legitimate feature film (no, really) through what I imagine to be a series of wacky circumstances. To add to the mayhem, Rodriguez assembled a bizarrely amazing cast including Jessica Alba, Steven Seagal, Lindsay Lohan, Cheech Marin, Don Johnson, Jeff Fahey, and Michelle Rodriguez. Oh, and Robert De Niro(!).

Now Deadline confirms that this is not an elaborate hoax, but something that will eventually hit theaters, as 20th Century Fox outlasted five other studios to distribute the film domestically.

Rodriguez independently financed the production, primarily by selling the international rights to Sony for $20 million. But there was still the question of how it would reach audiences domestically, and six candidates felt up to the task: Sony, Lionsgate, Warner Bros., Fox, Paramount, and The Weinstein Co. Rodriguez screened 15 to 30 minutes of Machete for the interested studios, and after some back-and-forth between Fox and Paramount, the domestic distribution rights ended up in the hands of Fox.

The move makes sense, as Fox recently delved into the Rodriguez family business by funding Predators, the latest in the extraterrestrial manhunter franchise directed by Nimrod Antal and produced by Rodriguez. The film has been getting good early buzz, particularly after behind-the-scenes photos of the titular predators in costume leaked.

What is curious is that The Weinstein Co. was never in more serious consideration. The Weinstein brothers have been working with Robert Rodriguez since 1995, mostly via their genre label Dimension. In fact, the bulk of Rodriguez’s filmography, including Four Rooms, From Dusk till Dawn, The Faculty, the Spy Kids trilogy, Sin City, The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, and most recently Grindhouse were all made under Weinstein guidance.

Reportedly, a Weinstein Co. insider confided, “we saw the footage and it’s not very good at all”. Hopefully this is just sour grapes, but the sensationalism of the Machete story ensures that there are only two creative paths for the movie: wonderfully pulpy fun or nonsensical waste of time. I pray for the former.

'The Hurt Locker' wins Producers Guild Award

LOS ANGELES – "The Hurt Locker" scored the top film award from the Producers Guild of America, building new momentum for the Iraq war drama in the expanded Oscar race for best picture.

The film about a risk-taking bomb disposal technician beat out such celebrated nominees as "Avatar," "Inglourious Basterds" and "Up in the Air" Sunday night.
"The Hurt Locker" also bested the films "Star Trek," "District 9," "An Education," "Invictus," "Up" and "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' By Sapphire" at the Producer Guild Awards in Hollywood.

The awards were the latest kudofest in the run-up to the Academy Awards in March.

'Avatar' tops box office for sixth-straight week

LOS ANGELES – James Cameron's "Avatar" is on a course to sink "Titanic" at the box office.

Number 1 for the sixth-straight weekend with $36 million, the 20th Century Fox sci-fi spectacle lifted its domestic total to $552.8 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. "Avatar" raised its worldwide total to $1.841 billion. That's $2 million shy of first place behind Cameron's last movie, the 1997 shipwreck epic "Titanic," at $1.843 billion.

"It defies all superlatives," said Chris Aronson, head of distribution for Fox.

The studio said "Avatar" has hit $1.29 billion in international ticket sales, passing the $1.24 billion mark set by "Titanic." The saga set on the alien world of Pandora is also en route to overtake "Titanic" in domestic sales. After 37 days in theaters, "Avatar" soared past "The Dark Knight" on Saturday to become the second highest grossing film.

"We're witnessing box office history," said Paul Dergarabedian, box office analyst for Hollywood.com. "We're watching all of these big records fall, and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. 'Avatar' is dominating at a time where it has no big summer blockbusters to compete with it. It's perfectly poised to keep breaking all these records."

"Avatar" is also positioned to win acclaim during awards season. While the computer-assisted performances didn't earn any honors at Saturday's Screen Actors Guild Awards, it captured the best drama and director trophies at last week's Golden Globes and is considered a likely best-picture front runner when Oscar nominations are announced Feb. 2.

Screen Gems' apocalyptic thriller "Legion," featuring Paul Bettany as an Armageddon-fighting fallen angel, debuted behind "Avatar" at No. 2 with $18.2 million. Fox's family fantasy comedy "Tooth Fairy," starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as a hockey player who spreads his wings as a magical deity, took flight in the No. 4 spot with $14.5 million.

Warner Bros. grabbed the No. 3 position with "The Book of Eli" at $17 million in its second week, despite three other films debuting in wide release this weekend. The post-apocalyptic action flick stars Denzel Washington as a traveling prophet who battles a villainous gang leader played by Gary Oldman while protecting the last known Bible.

The medical drama "Extraordinary Measures," the first film from new distributor CBS Films, opened with a disappointing $7 million in the No. 7 position. The film features Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser as a doctor and businessman who collaborate to develop a drug that will treat a rare genetic disorder affecting children.

"It did well in middle America," said Steven Friedlander, head of distribution for CBS Films. "This is not a shoot-'em-up or fantasy film. It's the true story of people doing courageous things, and it's building good word of mouth. This is the kind of movie that plays well to a family friendly crowd who doesn't need to see the movie the weekend it opens."

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

1. "Avatar," $36 million.
2. "Legion," $18.2 million.
2. "The Book of Eli," $17 million.
3. "Tooth Fairy," $14.5 million.
5. "The Lovely Bones," $8.8 million.
6. "Sherlock Holmes," $7.1 million.
7. "Extraordinary Measures," $7 million.
8. "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," $6.5 million.
9. "It's Complicated," $6.2 million.
10. "The Spy Next Door," $4.8 million.

The Couch Potato Report - January 24th, 2010

This week The Couch Potato Report peels films about love, lying, departures and boogie nights. Do the hustle, if you need to.

One of the main reasons I continue to love movies is due to the fact that they take us places we may never get the opportunity to actually get to.

For instance, I have always wanted to see the Great pyramids and the Sphinx in Egypt, but alas…I have yet to get there in person.

But this week, through a movie, I was able to see them!

That movie was a Canadian made film called CAIRO TIME starring Patricia Clarkson as a woman who travels to Egypt to meet up with her husband, who has been delayed due to his work.

The husband asks a long-time friend to pick her up at the airport, since it's too dangerous for a single foreign woman to walk the streets of Cairo alone, and the two hit it off immediately.

And as the husband continues to be delayed, they continue to get closer.

CAIRO TIME would like to be as good as THE ENGLISH PATIENT or THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, but while the two leads in the film have a nice chemistry together, it isn’t quite in the same league as those films.

In the end, CAIRO TIME is a very good, but not great movie for grown-ups. However, if the only way you might ever get to see Egypt is through a film…this movie will definitely show you the sights.

From Egypt, we cinematically head now to Boston…a place that I have been to in real life, and through the movies…and that is the truth!!

This film is the latest from Ricky Gervais, the man who gave us the original BBC version of THE OFFICE and the show EXTRAS.

He is a comedian who never fails to make me laugh…I completely enjoyed watching him host The Golden Globes last Sunday…but I know that his work is not for everyone, and that is definitely true for his latest film THE INVENTION OF LYING, which is set in an alternate reality in which no one has ever lied and where people speak their minds, blurting out very blunt remarks and opinions that people in the real world would normally keep to themselves.

Gervais plays a man who is broke, about to lose his job, and is head over heels in love with the great Jennifer Garner from GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST and JUNO, but she is not attracted to him at all.

And then…in a world where everyone can only tell the truth…he learns to lie…and the world falls at his feet.

As I said, Ricky Gervais is someone who never fails to make me laugh, and laugh I did at this film. Plus, I adore Jennifer Garner, so the movie gets points for her being in it as well…and the supporting cast includes Tina Fey, Rob Lowe and Louis C.K….people whose work I also enjoy…so I loved this film! It made me laugh out loud.

However, after the lying begins and the film changes from an out & out comedy to a movie about a guy who basically invents religion by acting as a conduit for what he calls “The Man In The Sky”, it just isn’t for everyone.

THE INVENTION OF LYING is a movie that I love and am glad I own, but if you don’t like Ricky Gervais…you might want to skip it.

But I loved it!!

Prior to his work hosting The Golden Globes last week, the buzz around Hollywood was that Ricky Gervais would be a great host for the Academy Awards some day.

I thought he did a great job…but the buzz around Hollywood this week is that he was good enough for the Globes, but not for the Oscars.

And that is the beauty of the Academy Awards, and everything surrounding it and Hollywood itself: The buzz can change in a heartbeat…for instance, this time last year, the buzz in Hollywood was that WALTZ WITH BASHIR would win the Best Foreign Film statuette.

However, when Liam Neeson opened the envelope and said the name of the winner, the buzz changed instantaneously as a movie called DEPARTURES actually won.

DEPARTURES is a funny, charming and interesting film about a newly unemployed cellist who answers a vague help wanted ad in a newspaper looking for someone to help with “departures.”

When he shows up to inquire about the position, he finds out that he will be responsible for preparing the dead for funerals.

DEPARTURES is a little bit slow at times, but I think that works for the movie and it’s subject matter.

I still think that WALTZ WITH BASHIR is better, but this is a very good movie.

From an Academy Award winner, we now move to movie that has no shot at such a prestigious honour.

WHITEOUT was filmed in and around Winnipeg and Gimli, Manitoba and Montreal and it stars Kate Beckinsale from the UNDERWORLD films as a U.S. Marshal who is tracking a killer in Antarctica.

Now, in addition to this happening during the last three days of her assignment, with the Antarctic winter drawing close, she must try and complete the investigation before the arrival of an incoming storm…a whiteout.

WHITEOUT is based on the 1998 comic book of the same name by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber, and the source material is great!

However, the film is not…even though it has a very interesting premise, and a very good cast, this is one of the most boring action films that I have ever seen.

Unless you are the biggest fan of Kate Beckinsale in the world, then you should skip this.

Unfortunately, the next film I have for you this week isn’t much better.

Yes, I will admit that GAMER has some pretty cool action and stunts, but very little else.

This film - set in a future-world where humans can control other humans in a mass-scale, multi-player online gaming environment - is just awful!

GAMER stars Gerard Butler from 300 in what is basically an update and remake of the Arnold Schwarzenegger film THE RUNNING MAN, without any of the humour, personality or entertainment value.

If you are a fan of first-person shooter games and action movies that feature an abundance of pointless, over-the-top violence, then you might…and I mean MIGHT enjoy GAMER…otherwise…stay as far away from it as you can.

It is just awful!!

No, I wasn’t a big fan of GAMER or WHITEOUT, and I admit that I’m not a big fan of BIG FAN either, although I did enjoy this little sports movie better than those other two combined.

BIG FAN is about a hardcore New York Giants football fan who has to make some life altering decisions after he is beaten up in a bar by his favourite player.

His dilemma surrounding those decisions surrounds the fact that if he stands up for himself and his rights, his team will lose.

And it is a dilemma, as he is a big fan.

There are parts of BIG FAN that I liked…especially when the guys sit in the parking lot watching the games when they can’t get tickets…but in the end this movie is really only for people who are HUGE sports fans, as you may see a little of yourself in it.

I did, and that is what I liked about it…but this is really just an okay little film, it really isn’t anything special.

Up next is ACROSS THE HALL, a film that stars Brittany Murphy, a young actress who died last month.

No, this movie isn’t being rush-released to capitalize on her death, it had been scheduled to come out this week way before she died…however, now that it is available, it’s too bad that it isn’t a film that is a better fit with her cinematic legacy…one that includes the films CLUELESS and 8 MILE, along with her voice work as Luanne on the television show KING OF THE HILL.

But unfortunately it too is just an okay little film that is nothing special.

ACROSS THE HALL is a wannabe thriller about a jealous boyfriend who thinks that his fiancée is having an affair, and his best friend who is trying to keep him from killing anyone.

I watched all of ACROSS THE HALL because I wanted to see what would happen, but I admit that I didn’t really care because the main characters are one note movie people and the supporting cast is just a bit too quirky and oddball.

The film isn’t a complete waste of time, but I was personally hoping for something that was better than okay.

There are a couple of TV Shows On DVD sets for me to tell you about now…and I will start with the once great show WEEDS.

When this series began in 2005 it was about a suburban mother turned marijuana dealer and it featured very interesting storylines and characters that weren’t normally seen on TV.

But then, after a couple of seasons, it started to go downhill…and I lost interest, so much so that I skipped all of the fourth season. I didn’t even watch one episode.

But, after a year off, I sat down this week to watch the three disc set for SEASON FIVE of WEEDS…and while the downward spiral has seemingly stopped…the show still isn’t as great as it once was.

What I had always liked about the show was seeing how the writers would get Mary-Louise Parker’s Nancy Botwin out of the scenarios they put her in. They used to come up with some unique and inventive stuff.

In SEASON FIVE, she just seems to get out of it…and while I was still rooting for her…I knew she would get out of trouble again and the episode would end. Nothing unique or inventive at all!

The one part I did really like about this season of WEEDS was guest star Alanis Morissette. Her characters is fun and interesting! The rest of the cast?…well, they used to be.

If you LOVE this show, this set is for you!! If you have never seen it, I recommend Seasons One and Two…and maybe the first episodes of Season Three.

Up next this week, is Chuck, an action-comedy series about an "average computer-whiz-next-door" who – in SEASON ONE - received an encoded e-mail from an old college friend now working for the CIA.

That message placed the only remaining copy of the world's greatest spy secrets – the Intersect - into our hero’s brain.

In SEASON TWO, the new Intersect is ready, and that means Chuck can go back to his old life, but in the spy game, nothing ever goes as planned.

CHUCK is one of those shows that I really like. It is smart, features a great cast, has some great spies and spy gear, and it is fun and funny.

If you are looking for something new to watch, give CHUCK a try!

CHUCK – THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON is available as a 6-DVD and 5-Blu-ray set.

Finally this week, the BLU-RAY BEACON shines it’ slight on the great 1997 movie BOOGIE NIGHTS.

This still-great film garnered Academy Awards nominations for Burt Reynolds as Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Julianne Moore in the Best Actress in a Supporting Role category and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson.

BOOGIE NIGHTS stars Heather Graham, John C. Reilly, Don Cheadle, William H. Macy and Mark Wahlburg as a young man who becomes a star in the adult film industry in Californian in the 1970s and 1980s.

It is a very entertaining and fun film, that might not be for everyone due to it’s content, but I continue to enjoy it.

And now - in High Definition – it looks and sounds even better…even when it isn’t supposed to.

The Blu-ray also comes with a great Director’s Commentary that features some great insight and stories about the film.

The great film BOOGIE NIGHTS, THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON of CHUCK, SEASON FIVE of WEEDS, ACROSS THE HALL, GAMER, WHITEOUT, the Canadian film CAIRO TIME and Rickey Gervais’ THE INVENTION OF LYING are all available now on Blu-ray and DVD.

BIG FAN and the Academy Award winning Best Foreign Film DEPARTURES can be found only on DVD.

Coming up on the next Couch Potato Report are the Canadian films TIMEKEEPER and DETOUR and Nova Scotia’s Ellen Page stars in the roller-skating comedy WHIP IT.

Also next week, MICHAEL JACKSON’S – THIS IS IT, SAW VI and THE BLU-RAY BEACON will shine on WWII IN HD

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 again next time on The Couch!

Leaner New Line ready for a tentpole again

Two years ago, the 40-plus-year run of New Line as a largely autonomous film entity came to an abrupt end with the ouster of founder Bob Shaye and a restructuring that brought the company fully under the mantel as a unit of Warner Bros. After a run of films that had seen less-than-stellar B.O. returns ("Shoot 'Em Up," "Nativity," "Number 23," "The Golden Compass," "Tenacious D," "Domino," "Snakes on a Plane") and Shaye's attention diverted to his pet helming project, "The Last Mimzy," New Line was given a new mandate: Go through studio toppers Alan Horn and Jeff Robinov for greenlights, make about six pictures a year and focus mostly on bread-and-butter genre and comedy fare ... along with the occasional tentpole.

Now, with a leaner New Line having banked a run of solid performers (mostly romantic comedies such as "He's Just Not That Into You" and "17 Again") and a genuine blockbuster ("Sex and the City"), the division is looking to return to its glory days of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy with a pair of "Hobbit" prequels directed by Guillermo Del Toro.

In short, it's tentpole time at New Line again -- but with calculated bottom-line prudence shaping the rest of its slate.

Despite its longstanding reputation for seat-of-the-pants decisionmaking, president Toby Emmerich says the new New Line is a more calculating enterprise these days. With only six films a year -- about half the pre-2008 slate -- Emmerich and production president Richard Brener say no to much more than they used to.

The more discerning approach seems to have paid off: Of 17 total films released since the division was subsumed into Warner Bros., "Semi-Pro" and "Inkheart" have been the only underperformers.

"We've been incredibly consistent," says Emmerich.

Horn emphasizes that it was "sad and painful" to downsize New Line, but says he's pleased with Emmerich's strategic execution and his ability to remain calm and focused amid the seismic changes that reshaped what used to be the town's leading mini-major.

"We are feeling pretty good about our relationship with these guys," Horn says. "The proof is in the pudding, and the pudding tastes pretty good."

And the Warners chiefs say they have no plans to impose any changes on how New Line operates.

"They have their own sensibilities, and it gives us a diversified slate," says Horn. "This is very much a collaborative partnership so that if Toby wants to do a film it's a long way down the road toward getting a greenlight."

New Line took in more than $950 million in grosses worldwide last year from eight films, led by "He's Just Not That Into You," "17 Again," "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" and "Friday the 13th."

The unit will release just five films in 2010, the first year for which its projects had to go through the greenlight process via parent Warner Bros. It's got four romantic comedies -- "Valentine's Day," "Sex and the City 2," "Going the Distance" and "Hall Pass" -- and a relaunch of "Nightmare on Elm Street."

Tracking on "Valentine's Day" is already looking promising with high awareness among young women.

New Line began putting more comedies into the pipeline when it elevated longtime exec Brener to production president three years ago. Brener's probably best known for shepherding "Wedding Crashers," which grossed nearly $300 million worldwide six years ago.

For 2011, New Line will likely include more horror films in the mix, with "Friday the 13th," "Orphanage" and "The Rite." It's also got two comedies -- "Horrible Bosses" and "Valentine's Day" spinoff "New Year's Eve" -- along with a "Journey to the Center of the Earth" sequel and a musical, "Rock of Ages."

And then there's "The Hobbit." Emmerich's on familiar turf when it comes to the two-pic project thanks to his extensive involvement with the "Rings" trilogy and the presence of producer-director-screenwriter Peter Jackson on all five films.

Emmerich was promoted to head of production at the point in 2001 when the first cut of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the King" was prepped for post-production, and he oversaw the pic's reshoots.

"It's similar, though this is more expensive and much more of a known entity," says Emmerich of the "LOTR" ramp-up vs. the advance work being done on "The Hobbit."

JRR Tolkien's novel is set 60 years before "The Lord of the Rings," with Bilbo Baggins as its unassuming hero in an adventure that centers on his acquiring from the evil Gollum the all-powerful ring that figures into "LOTR." A few "Rings" cast members, such as Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen, will make return appearances in "The Hobbit."

New Line's "LOTR" financing scheme, in which foreign presales provided much of the budget for the trilogy, is not how "Hobbit" is being bankrolled. Instead, New Line shares financing rights with MGM/UA, which bought the original rights in 1969; the complication this time around is that the Lion could conceivably sell those rights as part of MGM's restructuring.

Once the script for the second film is in -- Jackson and his longtime collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are working on it with Del Toro -- New Line will work up a budget for both films and start casting. New Line exec Michael Disco, who was once Emmerich's assistant, will oversee for the studio.

Horn won't predict when the first of the two "Hobbit" films will be out, but says the most probable scenario would be a release in the fourth quarter of 2012.

"It's a big bet for us. But it's one we think will pay off given the success of 'Lord of the Rings,'" says Emmerich. "This is one of the few movies it feels like people are waiting for."

Telethon raises more than $58 mln for Haiti

NEW YORK (AFP) – A telethon led by actor George Clooney to help earthquake victims in Haiti has raised more than 58 million dollars, setting a new donation record by the general public, organizers announced.

"The public has set a new standard of giving for a relief telethon with 'Hope for Haiti Now,' and the donations continue to come in -- people can still contribute 24/7 via phone, web and text," said Lisa Paulsen, president and chief executive officer of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a non-profit organization providing philanthropic support to "Hope for Haiti Now."

The event led by Clooney was broadcast by all major television networks in the United States.

It featured performances by Wyclef Jean, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, Coldplay, Bono, Jay-Z, and Rihanna.

Internet social networks Facebook and MySpace contributed to funds collection.
The January 12 earthquake has left more than 111,000 Haitians dead and about 500,000 homeless, according to the latest figures released by the Haitian Interior Ministry.

'Inglourious Basterds' wins SAG film award

LOS ANGELES – While Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock's chances for Academy Award gold were advanced with their trophies at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the blockbuster "Avatar" may have felt a touch blue.

The computer-assisted performances in James Cameron's "Avatar" didn't make the cut for SAG nominations. But the groundbreaking sci-fi film remains a strong best-picture contender for the Oscars in March.

For Bridges of "Crazy Heart," Bullock of "The Blind Side" and for SAG supporting-acting honorees Mo'Nique of "Precious" and Christoph Waltz of "Inglourious Basterds," there's reason to suspect the Oscar ceremony will be a happy rerun of Saturday's SAG Awards and last Sunday's Golden Globes.

All four were recognized at the Globes, as well, while "Avatar" was named best drama and Cameron won as best director.

He will face competition from director Quentin Tarantino, whose "Inglourious Basterds" won the SAG Award for best ensemble performance, which can be a precursor to the top Oscar award. Last year, SAG's movie cast award was presented to "Slumdog Millionaire," which went on to win the best picture Oscar.

"It was an honor to be part of it, Quentin," "Inglourious Basterds" cast member Eli Roth said in accepting the award for his fellow actors in the off-kilter World War II revenge saga.

Bullock declined — strenuously — to look ahead.

"Shhhhh. Shhhhh. Shhhhh," Bullock said backstage when she was asked to speculate on her Oscar chances. She won for her portrayal of a tenacious real-life mom, Leigh Anne Tuohy, who helped a youth in need, future NFL player Michael Oher.

"I would be a hostess or a waitress or a house restorer before I ever considered myself an actor, because I never thought I was good enough," she added.

Although respected by his peers, Bridges has largely been bypassed for major awards.

"I love being an actor — pretending to be other people and getting into the shoes of other folks," said Bridges, who plays a hard-luck, hard-living country singer in "Crazy Heart."

Waltz was honored for his role as an enthusiastically ruthless Nazi. Mo'Nique's trophy came for her searing portrayal of an abusive mother in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' By Sapphire."

On the TV side of the SAG Awards, the cast of AMC's 1960s Madison Avenue saga "Mad Men" won the trophy for best drama series ensemble for the second year in a row, while 19 cast members of Fox TV newcomer "Glee," about misfits in a high school singing club, accepted the award for best comedy series ensemble.

"Glee" claimed the best comedy series award at the Golden Globes.

Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey of NBC's "30 Rock" won for best acting in a comedy series, allowing Fey to get in a sly joke about NBC and its bitter late-night battle with Conan O'Brien in her acceptance speech.

"I just wanted to take a moment to say to everyone at NBC, we are very happy with everything, and happy to be there," she said. Both she and Baldwin won the awards last year.

Golden Globe winner Michael C. Hall of Showtime's "Dexter," wearing a cap because of treatment he's receiving for Hodgkin's lymphoma, won best actor in a drama series. The award for best actress in a drama went to Julianna Margulies of CBS' "The Good Wife."

Kevin Bacon won as best actor in a movie or miniseries for the war-themed drama, "Taking Chance," while Drew Barrymore received best actress honors in the category for "Grey Gardens," about eccentric relatives of Jacqueline Onassis.

Betty White, 88, accepted a lifetime achievement award from Bullock for an enduring career that included "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "The Golden Girls," and showed her sharp comedic chops.

When Bullock joked that she finds White annoying, White shot back, "Isn't it heartening to see how far a girl as plain as she is can go."

"I should be presenting an award to you for the privilege of working in this wonderful business all this time. And you still can't get rid of me," White told the audience.

Actors in two highly critically acclaimed films went home empty-handed, including "Up in the Air" star George Clooney and the film's supporting actresses, Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick. The cast of "The Hurt Locker" also lost out.

Clooney, however, was lauded by SAG President Ken Howard for helping organize Friday's telethon to raise money for earthquake-devastated Haiti, a rare reference to the tragedy.

Two honors not shown in the telecast went to stunt ensembles for the film "Star Trek" and the TV show "24."

German rock band Scorpions to end career

BERLIN – The German rock band Scorpions is bringing down the curtain on a career spanning more than four decades.

The band, known for its early 1990s hit "Wind of Change" among others, said on its Web site Sunday that "we agree we have reached the end of the road."

It said it would end its career with a final album — "Sting In The Tail," to be released in March — and a tour that will start in Germany in May and take it across the world "over the next few years."

Guitarist Rudolf Schenker founded the band in Hannover in 1965. Singer Klaus Meine joined a few years later. Both men are 61.

Canadians make a plea for Haiti

Canadian stars presented a unified plea Friday night to help victims of Haiti’s devastating earthquake.

An early estimate suggested $2.5 million was raised during the one-hour Canadian special, which was broadcast live on CBC, CTV and Global Television.

The show began with the song “Try” by Nelly Furtado and also included performances by K’Naan, Metric and The Tragically Hip.

Home renovator, television host and author Mike Holmes was among the Canadian celebrities making a live appearance. Holmes said he is already at ways to help the stricken country in the same way he helped in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

“I picked up my phone right away and I said we should start talking about we can do to help.”

On his role as a telethon co-host Ben Mulroney said, “When we talk about being leaders in the world, this is what we mean and this (telethon) is just another way for us to do that. This is a long-term project, it’s going to require countries from around the world and we’re doing more than our part in an attempt to pull people in the same direction. I’m just privileged to play a small role in that.”

Telethon co-host George Stroumboulopoulus said, “The fact that all the networks have come together, man, makes this so much better on a personal level. This actually is altruistic, there is no competition. You rarely get to do that in television, purely altruistic, commercial-free one hour, everybody working together. Lord have mercy, how crazy is that?”

Hip-hop artist K’naan, a performer at the concert, urged fellow Canadians to keep helping the devastated country recover fully from an earthquake.

“I can’t say it’s good to be here,” K’naan said Friday afternoon after a sound check at the CBC headquarters on Front St. in Toronto, where the concert will be broadcast.

“When something like this happens, you can’t really say you feel great being here.” Instead, he called his performance “a necessity. We show the best of ourselves during times of crisis. I’m just here to try to do my little bit.”

The 31-year-old Somali-born singer, who turned to rap to help learn English when his family moved to Toronto, will perform one song. The Tragically Hip is also scheduled to perform amid a glittering lineup of top Canadian talent, including singer Céline Dion and director James Cameron.

The benefit concert is a collaboration among three networks, CBC, CTV and Global Television, which will all air the show at 7 p.m. ET and PT. It will also be streamed live to their websites and broadcast on CBC Radio Two.

From the world of film, the stars include Jason Reitman, Ryan Reynolds, William Shatner, Rachelle Lefevre, Joshua Jackson, Eugene Levy, Norman Jewison, Tom Jackson and Will Arnett.

From TV: Brent Butt, Hugh Dillon, Mike Holmes, Rick Mercer, Alex Trebek, Sandra Oh and Pamela Anderson.

Musicians Justin Bieber, Nelly Furtado, Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, Simple Plan, David Foster, Chantal Kreviazuk, Raine Maida and Measha Brueggergosman will be part of the broadcast.

Also appearing are humanitarian Craig Kielburger and star athletes Wayne Gretzky and Steve Nash. Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean will have special messages for Canadians.

“As the relief efforts move from rescue ... to reconstruction, there’s going to be so much more need, and that’s one of the reasons that we’ve all come together,” said Mulroney.

Stroumboulopoulos said it wasn’t hard getting celebrities to give their time to the project.

“One of the things about this country is we have a long history of giving and a long history of trying to come together,” he said. “It’s part of (our) identity.”

Donations collected during the broadcast will go to a number of non-profit organizations, including the Canadian Red Cross Society, Care Canada, Free the Children, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam Quebec, Plan Canada, Save the Children Canada, UNICEF Canada and World Vision Canada.

All donations will be split evenly among the charities, said World Vision Canada president Dave Toycen, who urged Canadians to give Haitians hope.

“I’ve been involved in disaster work for over 30 years and this is one of the worst I’ve ever (seen),” said Toycen, who just returned after spending six days in Haiti.

One of the lasting experiences he had was meeting a woman who insisted that Toycen take her young son, because she feared he had no chance of a good life in Haiti.

“That’s what this special is about in a way. First, it’s to answer that call to give help, but it’s also to prove to that mother: You don’t have to give your child away in order for your child to have a future,” he said.

“We’ve had a great response. Canadians have given very generously already and yet, I think there’s still people who haven’t given. So I hope tonight’s program will particularly challenge and touch people who haven’t given yet.”

The U.S. benefit “Hope for Haiti Now” will air immediately after the Canadian benefit. The two-hour special — on CBC, CTV, Global, MTV, MuchMusic and National Geographic Channel — will be hosted by George Clooney and include performances by the likes of Beyonce, Madonna, Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Coldplay and Taylor Swift.

Keith Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow plan to perform a song together, as will Bono, the Edge, Jay-Z and Rihanna.

Canadians can donate by visiting www.CanadaForHaiti.com, dialing 1-877-51-HAITI, or texting AID to 45678.

Conan O'Brien exploring options

Conan O'Brien is a free agent after his $33 million settlement with NBC was finally completed early Thursday morning -- but his hiatus probably won't last long.

As part of the overall payout from the Peacock, worth about $52.6 million with staff severance and shutdown costs, O'Brien will be allowed to join another network Sept. 1. With his demo ratings on "The Tonight Show" and his online popularity soaring during the final two weeks of his seven-month tenure, the comedian already is being courted by a number of networks.

Because O'Brien was formally under contract with NBC until Thursday morning, no formal talks have been initiated, but there have been a lot of informal inquiries.

Fox is the most logical option as that network has been trying to get into the late-night fray for decades and its brass repeatedly have stated their interest in O'Brien, whose core younger audience is a perfect fit for Fox's target demo.

Several cablers, including Fox sibling FX, USA, TNT/TBS, Comedy Central, HBO and Showtime, reportedly also have sent out feelers to explore the possibility of bringing O'Brien into their folds.

O'Brien's longtime manager Gavin Polone wouldn't be drawn on specifics about his client's plans but noted that he would like to "take advantage of all the momentum" on TV and online, where the popularity of "I'm with Coco"/"Team Conan" movements is growing rapidly.

With his quirky, offbeat sensibility, the comedian could be well suited for the cable world.

And he could feasibly do both cable and broadcast, said Shari Anne Brill, senior vp at ad buyer Carat.

Because clearing a late-night show with O'Brien on Fox would require extensive discussions with the network's affiliates that have commitments for airing off-net comedies in the 11 p.m. hour, O'Brien could debut on FX and then move to the broadcast network at a later date, she said.

First-run syndication is a longer shot. While Sony TV pursued a syndicated show with Jay Leno before he decided to stay at NBC for a primetime stint, syndicators do not seem in a hurry to raise their hands.

The reason: The main target for such a show would be the Fox stations, which, if interested in a late-night show with O'Brien, would give their blessing to Fox and get it from the network.

The dramatic denouement between O'Brien and NBC -- which was done at 1 a.m. PT and completely signed off at 3 a.m. -- was a fitting finale for the twists and turns of the past weeks.

The final $52.6 million tab include the $33 million settlement for O'Brien, about $7 million to pay out the contracts of "Tonight" sidekick Andy Richter and executive producer Jeff Ross and the rest going for severance expenses and shutdown costs.

The payoffs for the show's staffers, apparently more generous than the standard exit deals, are being supplemented by checks from O'Brien.

"He just wants to make sure they are taken care of," Polone said.

Ironically, despite the acrimonious divorce, O'Brien will stay in business with NBC through his company Conaco, which will remain based at NBC until the end of this development season and has several projects in contention at the network.

Also staying behind are the characters created by O'Brien on "Late Night" and "Tonight," whose rights are owned by NBC.

During his second-to-last "Tonight" on Thursday, O'Brien "revealed" some provisions from his contract with NBC.

Among them: "I am prohibited from coming within 500 yards of 11:30," and "I'm not allowed to make fun of NBC programming; I have to let the programming speak for itself."

Meanwhile, announcing his March 1 return to "Tonight" on his primetime show Thursday, Leno said, "I have chosen to stay on the Titanic."

Analyzing the aftermath of NBC's late-night shifts during the past seven months, most media pundits agree the network has been hurt.

"The decisions have hurt both NBC in the ratings and more importantly with their viewers who have to question whether the management at NBC knows what they are doing," Katz TV programming head Bill Carroll said.

John Rash, senior vp at Campbell Mithun, called the late-night fight "a distraction" at a time when the viewers' attention should've been focused on the upcoming Olympics.

NBC's fortnight of Olympics coverage will actually help put the late-night drama behind, according to Brill.

"It gives NBC a hiatus and hope that the public has some amnesia," she said.

As for the effects on Leno's ratings on "Tonight," Brill said, "It may hurt him for a little while, but I think the audience will come back."

SAG to honor Betty White's 60-year career

LOS ANGELES – Betty White couldn't believe it.

"They told me about the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award, and I thought they were putting me on," White said. "I really did. I thought, 'Oh, sure.'"

She'll finally have tangible proof Saturday night, when Sandra Bullock, her co-star in "The Proposal," hands over the statuette from the Screen Actors Guild, paying tribute to White's more than 60-year career. The SAG Awards will air live on TNT and TBS from the Shrine Exhibition Hall (8 p.m. EST).

Starting in local Los Angeles television during the medium's earliest days, White's first 20 years in the business included a 1951 Emmy for the sitcom "Life With Elizabeth," and various talk-show and game-show gigs. But it wasn't until 1973 that she became part of a TV classic, as sex-crazed "Happy Homemaker" host Sue Ann Nivens on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

"Ethel Winant, the casting director, had said, 'We want a sickeningly sweet Betty White type,'" White recalled. "Well, they couldn't find anybody sickening enough."

So, they hired White, who eventually became a regular on the series, won back-to-back Emmys, and a place in TV history.

In 1985, she was earmarked for the role of Blanche on "The Golden Girls." "It was Jay Sandrich, who directed most of the 'Mary' shows, who, in his wisdom said, 'If Betty plays Blanche, another neighborhood nymphomaniac, they're going to think it's Sue Ann all over again.' And he said, 'Let's switch them.'" Co-star Rue McClanahan took on Blanche. White got the naive Rose. They both went on to win Emmys, and eternal lives in reruns.

White is nearly as well known for her love of animals. "My mother always told a story. We had a beautiful orange-marmalade kitty who would sleep on the edge of my crib. And she said, 'If Toby hadn't taken to you, you would have gone right back to the hospital.' But it is such a big part of my life. I not only love them __ I'm not into animal rights or anything political. It's animal health and welfare."

She was previously married, but White said the love of her life was game-show host Allen Ludden, to whom she was married from 1963 through to his death from cancer in 1981. She never married again. "When you've had the best, who needs the rest?" White asked. "Oh, I've had friends, some of them even better friends than others. But no."

At 88, Betty is White-hot again, coming off a scene-stealing stint as Ryan Reynolds' grandmother in the blockbusting "The Proposal," and with a handful of TV and big-screen projects in the pipeline.

"I think the most surprised person is my agent," White said. "'They still are using YOU?' But it's beyond-belief exciting."

Is there anything in show business she's yet to do?

"Robert Redford," White replied, with a sly smile.

Canada For Haiti telethon a star-studded fundraiser

Canadian band the Tragically Hip has signed on to headline Canada For Haiti, while a pantheon of stars from Wayne Gretzky to Nelly Furtado and James Cameron will also participate in Friday's telethon to raise funds to support earthquake relief for the stricken nation.

Organizers from broadcasters CBC, CTV and Global unveiled on Thursday a celebrity-studded list of participants for the one-hour, commercial-free, cross-network special event.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean are scheduled to deliver messages to Canadians, while the Tragically Hip and K'naan will perform live.

Prominent Canadians from music, film, television and sport to appear on the special include:

Musical acts Nelly Furtado, Measha Brueggergosman, Justin Bieber, Céline Dion, Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, David Foster, Chantal Kreviazuk, Raine Maida and Simple Plan.

Directors James Cameron, Jason Reitman and Norman Jewison.

Actors William Shatner, Joshua Jackson, Pamela Anderson, Eugene Levy, Sandra Oh, Tom Jackson, Ryan Reynolds, Michael J. Fox, Rachelle Lefevre, Will Arnett, Hugh Dillon and Brent Butt.

TV personalities Mike Holmes, Rick Mercer and Alex Trebek.

Sports stars Gretzky and Steve Nash.

Humanitarian Craig Kielburger.

The money raised during the telethon will be distributed equally amongst a coalition of 10 large Canadian non-governmental organizations — including World Vision Canada, Canadian Red Cross Society, UNICEF Canada, Oxfam Canada and Save the Children Canada — with the funds exclusively earmarked for Haiti.

World Vision Canada president Dave Toycen, who just returned from a six-day visit to Haiti, described the situation as "one of the worst [he's] ever been involved in" after 30 years of working on disaster-response campaigns.

"Still people are hungry, still people are not getting water, and still people are not getting adequate medical care and all the other things that go along with that," he said.

"Every day it's getting better but it's still a race against time."

Acknowledging that it is unusual for the charitable organizations to team up in this way, "it says how critical the situation is," Toycen added.

"We've put down any sort of competition and said we're going to do this together ... We will collaborate, we will leverage any way we can to help."

The program, which will precede the U.S.-organized Hope For Haiti telethon, begins at 7 p.m. ET. It will be hosted by Cheryl Hickey, Ben Mulroney and George Stroumboulopoulos and air on CBC Television, CTV, Global Television, MTV, MuchMusic and National Geographic Channel.

CBC Radio 2 will carry the broadcast, hosted by Garvia Bailey, and it will also be streamed online on CBC.ca, CTV.ca, GlobalTV.com and MuchMusic.com.

The telethon will also be simulcast on Canadian Forces Radio and TV.

Peter Gabriel Says He Won’t Reunite With Genesis at Rock Hall Induction

In two months Genesis will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but fans hoping to see Peter Gabriel sing with his former band for the first time in nearly 30 years are probably in for a disappointment. “As far as I know, I’m definitely not going to sing,” Gabriel tells Rolling Stone. “I learned at our last reunion [in 1982] that you can’t just get up there. You have to rehearse.”

Gabriel is actually not even positive he’ll be able to attend the March 15th induction ceremony in New York, since he’ll be in the midst of rehearsing for a European solo tour. “I’m trying to find a way to do it,” he says. “It’s not easy. If I can work it out, I’ll go.”

Five years ago Gabriel held a meeting with the classic Genesis lineup of Phil Collins, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Steve Hackett to discuss a possible staging of their 1974 prog-rock epic The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. “Initially I was open to it,” Gabriel says. “But then it seemed to be growing. I know what it’s like once you’re in it — these things tend to expand. I always describe it as going back to school, since this was a school group for me. It’s a fun place to visit and see your old friends, but its not a place you want to live.” Might he be open to a reunion show at some point in the future? “Phil has had trouble with his wrists and his back, so it’s pretty unlikely,” he says.

The group is actually more likely to collaborate on a possible movie project, Gabriel says. “The only thing that might happen is that some people talk about a film of the Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. If it is to happen, we might work together on that. We’ll see.”

For more from our interview with Peter Gabriel, including info about his upcoming solo tour and his new covers album Scratch My Back, check out the next issue of Rolling Stone, out February 3rd.

BAFTA Nominations, 8 For An Education

The Orange British Academy has announced it’s 2010 nominees. Known as the BAFTAs, they’re kind of like the British equivalent of the Oscars. Their nominations contain at leas ta few surprises. For instance while Up in the Air was nominated for Best Film, director Jason Reitman was shut out of their director category. Instead, unexpectedly, District 9 director Neill Blomkamp slips in. Up in the Air fared better elsewhere though, with nominations for all three primary cast members. The film scored 6 nominations in all. Avatar, The Hurt Locker, and An Education lead all nominees, with eight nominations each.

The Orange British Academy hands out its statues on February 21st. Here’s the full list of this year’s nominees.

Best Film
Avatar
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Precious
Up In The Air

Outstanding British Film
An Education
Fish Tank
In The Loop
Moon
Nowhere Boy

Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer
Lucy Bailey, Andrew Thompson, Elizabeth Morgan Hemlock, David Pearson (Mugabe And The White African)
Eran Creevy (Shifty)
Stuart Hazeldine (Exam)
Duncan Jones (Moon)
Sam Taylor-Wood (Nowhere Boy)

Director
James Cameron (Avatar)
Neill Blomkamp (District 9)
Lone Scherfig (An Education)
Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker)
Inglourious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino)

Original Screenplay
Jon Lucas, Scott Moore (The Hangover)
Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker)
Inglourious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino)
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen (A Serious Man)
Bob Peterson, Pete Docter (Up)

Adapted Screenplay
Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell (District 9)
Nick Hornby (An Education)
Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche (In The Loop)
Geoffrey Fletcher (Precious)
Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner (Up In The Air)

Film Not In The English Language
Broken Embraces
Coco Before Chanel
Let The Right One In
A Prophet
The White Ribbon

Animated Film
Coraline
Fantastic Mr Fox
Up

Leading Actor
Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)
George Clooney (Up In The Air)
Colin Firth (A Single Man)
Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker)
Andy Serkis (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll)

Leading Actress
Carey Mulligan (An Education)
Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones)
Gabourey Sidibe (Precious)
Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)
Audrey Tatou (Coco Before Chanel)

Supporting Actor
Alec Baldwin (It's Complicated)
Christian McKay (Me And Orson Welles)
Alfred Molina (An Education)
Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones)
Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)

Supporting Actress
Anne-Marie Duff (Nowhere Boy)
Vera Farmiga (Up In The Air)
Anna Kendrick (Up In The Air)
Mo'Nique (Precious)
Kristin Scott Thomas (Nowhere Boy)

Music
Avatar
Crazy Heart
Fantastic Mr Fox
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
Up

Cinematography
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
The Road

Editing
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Up In The Air

Production Design
Avatar
District 9
Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus
Inglourious Basterds

Costume Design
Bright Star
Coco Before Chanel
An Education
A Single Man
The Young Victoria

Sound
Avatar
District 9
The Hurt Locker
Star Trek
Up

Special Visual Effects
Avatar
District 9
Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince
The Hurt Locker
Star Trek

Make Up & Hair
Coco Before Chanel
An Education
The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus
Nine
The Young Victoria

Short Animation
The Gruffalo
The Happy Duckling
Mother Of Many

Short Film
14
I Do Air
Jade
Mixtape
Off Season

The Orange Rising Star Award (voted for by the public)
Jesse Eisenberg
Nicholas Hoult
Carey Mulligan
Tahar Rahim
Kristen Stewart

NBC: Conan O'Brien reaches $45M exit deal

NEW YORK – NBC said Thursday it has reached a $45 million deal with Conan O'Brien for his exit from the "Tonight" show, allowing Jay Leno to return to the late-night program he hosted for 17 years.

Under the deal, which came seven months after O'Brien took the reins from Leno, O'Brien will get more than $33 million, NBC said. The rest will go to his staff in severance, the network said in an announcement on the "Today" show.

His final show will be Friday, and Leno will return to "Tonight" on March 1.

"In the end, Conan was appreciative of the steps NBC made to take care of his staff and crew, and decided to supplement the severance they were getting out of his own pocket," his manager, Gavin Polone, told The Wall Street Journal. "Now he just wants to get back on the air as quickly as possible."

O'Brien will be free to begin another TV job as soon as September, NBC said. There has been speculation on where he might go next. ABC (which airs "Nightline" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!") has said it wasn't interested, while Fox, which lacks a network late-night show, expressed appreciation for his show — but nothing more.

O'Brien landed the "Tonight" show after successfully hosting "Late Night," which airs an hour later, since 1993. But he quickly stumbled in the ratings race against his CBS rival, David Letterman.

Under Leno, the "Tonight" show was the ratings champ at 11:35 p.m. Eastern, but he proved an instant flop with his experiment in prime time.

Last week NBC announced that the five-hour vacancy in prime time left by Leno will be filled by scripted and reality fare calculated to bring NBC affiliates a more robust lead-in audience for their local news than Leno had been delivering. A provisional slate of shows will include new and veteran NBC dramas, a comedy panel series produced by Jerry Seinfeld and "Dateline NBC."

It had been no secret that the 46-year-old O'Brien was scoring puny ratings numbers on "Tonight," averaging 2.5 million nightly viewers, compared with 4.2 million for Letterman's "Late Show," according to Nielsen figures.

It was even more obvious that "The Jay Leno Show," airing weeknights at 10 p.m. Eastern, was a disaster. Mostly justified by the network for its bargain-basement production budget, it not only was critically slammed, but also found a disappointing popular reaction. It has averaged 5.3 million nightly viewers since its fall debut — about the same number that watched Leno's final "Tonight" season, in a time slot when far fewer viewers are available. By comparison, the season's top-rated 10 p.m. network drama, CBS' "The Mentalist," has an average audience of 17 million.

But few observers expected the abrupt upheaval that erupted publicly just two weeks ago, when two Web sites posted unsourced stories that the 59-year-old Leno's show would soon be canceled or moved into O'Brien's late-night domain.

Days later, NBC executives unveiled a plan to restore Leno to 11:35 p.m. with a half-hour program, then slide O'Brien's "Tonight Show" to 12:05 a.m., followed by "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon," also pushed back a half-hour.

Disgruntled affiliate stations, which have lost viewers and advertising revenue for their late local newscasts since "The Jay Leno Show" premiered, appeared to spur NBC's sudden changes. The 210 local NBC stations saw their late news audience drop, on average, by 25 percent in November compared with the previous year among desirable 25- to 54-year-old viewers, with the Leno experiment costing the stations collectively $22 million over a three-month period, according to the research firm Harmelin Media.

In a clear vote of no confidence, some rebellious stations were threatening to drop "The Jay Leno Show" and air their own programming.

The network had been counting on O'Brien's cooperation, and wanted an answer quickly, so it could have the configured lineup ready to launch after the Winter Olympics, which will dominate NBC's schedule from Feb. 12-28. But O'Brien threw a wrench into NBC's plans, and triggered a public relations firestorm for the network, when he issued a statement rejecting the offer to delay his show to make room for Leno's return.

O'Brien said that shifting "Tonight" would "seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting," and he declared his disappointment that NBC had given him less than a year to establish himself as host at 11:35 p.m.

The escalating mess furnished plenty of material for jokes by competitors of Leno and O'Brien, as well as the two NBC hosts at its center, who bashed their network and each other.

In one monologue, Leno took note of O'Brien's complaint that NBC brass provided only seven months to establish himself at "The Tonight Show."

"Seven months!" Leno cackled. "How did he get THAT deal? We only got four!"

Returning volley in his own monologue, O'Brien said hosting "Tonight" has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream and reminded all the kids in the audience, "You can do anything you want in life. Unless Jay Leno wants to do it, too."

Online, many leaped to O'Brien's defense and applauded his stand against NBC. "Team Conan" became a popular Twitter topic for viewers who pledged their allegiance to O'Brien.

An O'Brien portrait also circulated as a badge of support. Referring to the "Tonight" show host's playful nickname, it read, "I'm With Coco," and featured a black-and-white picture of a regal-looking O'Brien standing in front of an American flag. The only color: his shock of orange hair.

For many observers, this clash of talk-show hosts recalled the late-night follies played out by NBC in the early 1990s as the network wavered confoundingly over who — Letterman or Leno — should inherit "The Tonight Show" from Johnny Carson.

The current revival of the late-night follies was set in motion nearly six years ago, in what was hatched by NBC executives as a farsighted strategy to ensure an orderly transition.

In the fall of 2004, the network announced that O'Brien would take over for Leno in 2009. That move by NBC — and endorsed by Leno, despite his clear aversion to leaving "Tonight" — was designed to keep O'Brien from jumping ship when his contract expired. "Tonight" was the prize O'Brien felt he had earned. He joked that he was looking forward to being on an hour earlier, "at a time when people can see me."

As years passed and Leno strengthened his grip as the late-night ratings champ, NBC anguished over how to keep him usefully occupied on the network somewhere other than "Tonight," and safely out of reach of rival networks who were courting him.

In late 2008, the network caught the public and the industry by surprise with its virtually unprecedented scheme: a new Leno hour "stripped" in prime time from Monday through Friday.

"A lot of people were shocked," Leno joked to reporters when the plan was announced. "They didn't know NBC still had a prime time."

Signs point to Friday farewell for Conan O'Brien

LOS ANGELES – Conan O'Brien all but posted a farewell banner on this week's "Tonight" shows as his exit negotiations with NBC neared their conclusion Wednesday.

In the late-night tradition of a star-studded goodbye, O'Brien's guests Thursday include such big names as Robin Williams and Barry Manilow. Tom Hanks was scheduled for Friday, as was Will Ferrell — the first guest O'Brien welcomed when he started last June as "Tonight" host.

And then there was this joke from his monologue Tuesday: "Hi, I'm Conan O'Brien, and I'm just three days away from the biggest drinking binge in history."

It was yet another indication that he's bracing for the bitter end of his brief tenure at "Tonight," less than eight months after taking over as host from Jay Leno. The show previously had been scheduled for reruns next week.

The red-headed comedian was negotiating with NBC for a severance package of more than $30 million, which would clear the way for Leno to return to late night. The proposed deal would allow O'Brien to work at another network as soon as this fall.

The announcement of an agreement was possible Thursday as the sides worked to resolve the final hurdle: compensation for O'Brien's staff and crew of about 200 people.

O'Brien was said to be "dug in" on the issue out of concern for the workers, while NBC said this week that it had already agreed to pay "millions of dollars to compensate every one of them" and deemed it a public relations "ploy."

Meanwhile, the comedy assault on NBC continued on "The Jay Leno Show."

Referring to the stormy California weather Wednesday, Leno said, "this rain couldn't have come at a worse possible time. Today was the day NBC was supposed to burn down the studio for the insurance money."

NBC's effort to keep both O'Brien and Leno at the network ran aground when Leno's experimental prime-show show drew poor ratings and affiliate complaints that forced its cancellation. When NBC proposed moving Leno back to 11:35 p.m. EST with a half-hour show, O'Brien refused to host "Tonight" at 12:05 a.m.

O'Brien, after posting lackluster numbers, has seen his viewership jump in recent days. His Monday night Nielsen Co. rating was up more than 60 percent in total viewers over the previous fourth quarter average and up about 80 percent among advertiser-favored young adults.

Fox executives have expressed admiration for O'Brien but said they couldn't discuss opportunities with him while he's under contract to NBC.

O'Brien's recent "Tonight" monologues have been notable for a barrage of jokes at the expense of NBC and Leno ("I just want to say to the kids out there watching: You can do anything you want in life, unless Jay Leno wants to do it, too," was one crack).

His final shows may be far less celebratory than those of his long-serving predecessors but, like them, he'll have top-notch company.

Johnny Carson's final guests, after 30 years at "Tonight," were Williams and Bette Midler, who appeared on his second-to-last broadcast. Carson hosted his final show in 1992 without guests.

When Leno left "Tonight" last May after 17 years, his final week of shows included Mel Gibson, Prince and Billy Crystal. Leno's final guest on his last show was his then-successor, O'Brien.

Charlie Daniels suffers mild stroke in Colorado

DURANGO, Colo. – Fiddler-guitarist Charlie Daniels is recovering after suffering a mild stroke while snowmobiling in Colorado, his spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Daniels, 73, suffered the stroke Friday and was treated at a hospital in Durango, 230 miles southwest of Denver, spokeswoman Paula Szeigis said. He then was airlifted to a Denver hospital and released on Sunday.

"It was a scary moment there but he's doing great," Szeigis said.

Daniels lives in Mount Juliet, Tenn., but has a home in the Durango area where he takes an extended vacation every year around Christmas.

He was snowmobiling with his wife and friends when he suffered the stroke. He's now back at his Durango-area home, Szeigis said.

A statement on Daniels' Web site says he doesn't plan to cancel any concerts. His next appearance is scheduled for Feb. 27 in Fort Pierce, Fla.

Daniels is best known for his 1979 hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." The Charlie Daniels Band was awarded a Grammy for best country vocal for the song.

Canadian networks plan joint Haiti fundraiser

Canada's television networks are collaborating on a television special this Friday to raise money for earthquake relief in Haiti.

Canada for Haiti, a one-hour program examining Canada's close relationship with Haiti, will be broadcast on CBC, CTV and Global at 7 p.m. ET.

The program will be shown just before the Hope for Haiti Now telethon being hosted by George Clooney and featuring many of Hollywood's biggest stars.

CBC, CTV, Global Television, MTV, MuchMusic and the National Geographic Channel all plan to simulcast Hope for Haiti Now in Canada.

The Canada for Haiti special will give Canadians a chance to donate to a group of Canadian organizations doing work in Haiti. The groups featured include:

-Canadian Red Cross Society.
-Care Canada.
-Free the Children.
-Oxfam Canada.
-Oxfam Quebec.
-Plan Canada.
-Save the Children Canada.
-UNICEF Canada.
-World Vision Canada.

The program will be hosted by CBC's George Stroumboulopoulos of The Hour, Global's Cheryl Hickey of ET Canadaand CTV's Ben Mulroney of etalk.

In the Hope for Haiti Now telethon, Clooney is working with Haitian-American hip-hop star Wyclef Jean in New York City and CNN broadcaster Anderson Cooper in Haiti to focus on the aftermath of the earthquake that hit the Caribbean nation a week ago.

The telethon will feature musical performances by Bono, Sting, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and others in an effort to galvanize charitable giving for the Haitian relief effort.

Jay-Z, Muse, Gorillaz to headline Coachella

NEW YORK (AP) — Jay-Z will bring his Empire State of Mind to the West Coast for Coachella this year.

The Brooklyn-born rapper will headline the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which kicks off on April 16 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif.

Rock acts Muse and Gorillaz are set to headline on April 17 and 18, respectively. The three-day festival — with more than 130 acts — also includes Thom Yorke, David Guetta, MGMT, Phoenix, Vampire Weekend and Wale.

Three-day weekend passes are priced at $269, plus surcharges. Tickets go on sale Friday.

Springsteen, Jay-Z, Urban join Haiti telethon

NEW YORK – The music world's top stars are signing on for Friday's "Hope for Haiti" telethon.

Bruce Springsteen, Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, Keith Urban and Alicia Keys are just a few of the performers who will be featured, according to MTV Networks, an integral partner in the two-hour event.

Haiti was devastated and thousands of its citizens killed when an earthquake hit the Caribbean nation last week.

"Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" will be an international event. Haitian native Wyclef Jean will anchor the show from New York, while George Clooney will do so from Los Angeles. CNN's Anderson Cooper will report from Haiti.

London has also been added to the lineup, and that's where Jay-Z will perform, along with Bono, The Edge and Rihanna in a special joint performance. Coldplay is also to perform from London.

In New York, Springsteen will perform, along with Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Jean and Sting. In Los Angeles, Swift is to perform, and Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow plan a collaboration. Also performing in Los Angeles is Timberlake, Dave Matthews, John Legend, and Stevie Wonder.

People can purchase the night's performances for 99 cents each through iTunes starting Saturday. A statement released Tuesday says all proceeds will go to Haiti relief.

The "Hope for Haiti" benefit will be broadcast from New York, Los Angeles, London and Haiti. It will be televised on all the major networks at 8 p.m. EST, as well as MTV, VH1, CMT, BET, PBS, CNN, Bravo, and a host of other networks. In addition, the telethon will be streamed live on Web sites including YouTube, MySpace and AOL.

The funds raised from the telethon will be donated to several relief organizations, including UNICEF, Oxfam America and Partners in Health.

...Marc Webb to direct next 'Spider-Man'.

LOS ANGELES – Marc Webb has caught the job of "Spider-Man" director.

Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios announced Tuesday that the "(500) Days of Summer" director will helm the next "Spider-Man" film following the departure of Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire, the director and star who worked on the previous three Spidey films. The fourth installment is set for a 2012 release and will focus on a younger version of the superhero.

Webb said in a statement he was not taking over the series from Raimi but instead wanted the "opportunity for ideas, stories and histories that will add a new dimension, canvas and creative voice to 'Spider-Man.'" Webb previously directed music videos, including Green Day's "21 Guns" and The All-American Rejects' "Move Along."

Fox developing U.S. version of "Torchwood"

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Fox is developing a version of the hit British sci-fi series "Torchwood."

A more straight-faced spin-off of "Doctor Who," "Torchwood" is about a covert group that investigates and fights alien activity. The title is an anagram of "Doctor Who."

Two seasons aired domestically on BBC America as well as last year's well reviewed stand-alone miniseries, "Children of Earth," which broke all ratings records for the network.

Unlike U.S. adaptations that have gone awry, "Torchwood" fans can take comfort that the original producing team is on board, led by series creator Russell Davies who is writing the script. The U.S. version will contain a global story line compared to the more localized sensibility of the BBC version.

Also, some of the current cast -- most likely John Barrowman, who plays the immortal Capt. Jack Harkness -- might star if the script leads to a pilot order.

Is 'Avatar' on its way to becoming this season's 'Slumdog Millionaire'?

Last year at this time, "Slumdog Millionaire" was such a prohibitive favorite that at some point all the other contenders seemed to take the rest of the season off.

This year hasn't been nearly as predictable, nor as uniform. Favorites have had a shakier hold on their categories, and no movie has spread as widely across ballots as "Slumdog" did. Which has gotten pundits (at least until recently) excited about the prospect of a left-field phenomenon.

But as the award season moves from confusion to clarity — as it began to do when “Avatar” won best film and best director prizes at the Golden Globes on Sunday night — it also risks veering into certainty. It increasingly looks like this year won’t have a “Crash” or a “Departed,” which each made late, post-Globes surges to win best picture at the Oscars. Much of awards season thrives on suspense, so that’s not exactly a good thing.

Pundits do note a few areas could see drama. By handing best actress prizes to both Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock, the Globes cleared up nothing on that two-woman race; until SAG chooses between them this weekend, it’s almost impossible to handicap a winner. Kathryn Bigelow remains a strong candidate to take the best director prize away from ex-husband James Cameron, especially if the Directors Guild endorses her with its top honors Jan. 30.

This year there’s also a full week between the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s Globes announcements and the deadline for academy nomination ballots, which means that the HFPA could stir the pot by getting “The Hangover” back on voters’ minds and into that 10th best picture slot. Which, given that it could mean Mike Tyson holding court at Kodak Theatre, may or may not be a good thing.

But those are dramas of an underwhelming sort. For all the shrugging and upturned palms this year coming out of the New Hampshire primary of awards season, the Toronto International Film Festival, the surprises are fast dwindling.

Oscar prospects for Jeff Bridges (best actor), Christoph Waltz and Mo'nique (best supporting actor and actress), “Inglourious Basterds” (original screenplay) and "Up in the Air" (adapted screenplay) are pretty much sure bets. And "Avatar" is looking and more and more steely in the best picture category. There appear to be few opportunities for Jets-like upsets and in turn few great awards-season subplots.

Then again, as counterintuitive as it may seem, “Avatar” represents a comeback story of its own. Sure, it’s not exactly “Slumdog” — Fox gave its director just a little bit more leeway (and money) than Warner Bros. did Danny Boyle. And the movie didn’t require a last-minute bailout from another studio to see the light of day.

But given that James Cameron disappeared for more than a decade with barely a playful hint as to his professional life outside an “Entourage” storyline, there’s something oddly left field about his candidacy too. And given initial skepticism about whether his movie would be a commercial and awards-season smash — let alone match the insanely high bar of “Titanic” — the 3-D film’s success lends it a distinctly "Slumdog"-ish, beat-the-odds quality.

“At the time of ‘Titanic,’ when we won the Golden Globe and we were on our way to being No. 1, I’m thinking ‘Enjoy this ride; it’s never going to happen again,’ ” Cameron said backstage at the Globes on Sunday night. “With ‘Avatar,’ we thought it was a shameless engine of commerce. We’re not going to try to impress the critics. And here we are again.” Given the growing inevitability of this race, that’s true in more ways than one.

Folk singer Kate McGarrigle dies

Canadian folk and roots music singer Kate McGarrigle, best known for her work with her sister, Anna, as the McGarrigle Sisters, has died at age 63.

McGarrigle, born in Montreal, died Monday night. Cause of death is not yet known.

The mother of musicians Rufus and Martha Wainwright through her previous marriage with American singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III, McGarrigle is a music industry icon in her own right.

The McGarrigle sisters recorded 10 albums in French and English, and their songs have been covered by artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Billy Bragg and Emmylou Harris.

In 1983, McGarrigle was made a member of the Order of Canada.

Reports that McGarrigle was critically ill surfaced over the weekend after her son, Rufus, cancelled his tour of Australia and New Zealand, scheduled to begin in February, to be with her.

McGarrigle and her sister were born in Saint-Sauveur-des-Monts, Que., and learned to play piano at the urging of their father. They took lessons from nuns at a nearby convent.

They continued to pursue music despite the reservations of their father, performing in clubs while attending university in Montreal in the 1960s – with Kate studying engineering and Anna pursuing painting.

"He would have hated the idea of us becoming professional musicians because he thought professional musicians were bums, people that wandered from town to town," Anna McGarrigle told The Canadian Press in 2005 after winning a lifetime acheivement award from the ASCAP, the respected American songwriting association.

Debut album warmly received

They debuted with the album Kate & Anna McGarrigle in 1976. It was named album of the year by Melody Maker and the No. 2 record of the year by the New York Times.

Their repertoire includes songs such as:

Heart Like a Wheel.
Goin' Back to Harlan.
Complainte pour Ste. Catherine.
Love Over and Over.
Heartbeats Accelerating.
Talk to Me of Mendocino.
On My Way to Town.

'Paranormal Activity 2' rushing to theaters with 'Saw VI' director

A sequel to "Paranormal Activity" will be in theaters by Halloween.

Showing that Paramount intends to rake every dollar out of "Paranormal Activity" that it can, the studio has hired screenwriter Michael R. Perry and director Kevin Greutert to bring "Paranormal Activity 2" to theaters. And not only is it coming, it's coming quick. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio intends to have the sequel face off against the next "Saw" this Halloween weekend.

While Oren Peli won't be directing the he told the trade "These guys get it, an the fans won't be disappointed."

Peli, who is producing alongside original partner Jason Blum, is putting a lot of confidence in Greutert, who edited the first five "Saw" movies and directed the sixth. Perry, is a longtime TV writer ("The Guardian") who made waves on 2009's Black List (a competition where agents and execs select their favorite spec scripts).

No word on whether "Paranormal Activity 2" will be the film's actual title or what the storyline will be, but don't expect a massive increase in budget. Peli has kept busy with "Area 51" which Paramount will release later this year.

The last time a phenomenon like "Paranormal" rushed out a sequel was a decade ago when "Book of Shadows: The Blair Witch Project 2" was a massive disappointment without the original filmmakers involved. Peli and Blum appear to be involved to make sure that scenario doesn't repeat itself.

James Cameron's Avatar 10-12 Minutes Longer on Blu-ray and DVD

James Cameron continued his parade as king of the world last night by scoring the best director and best motion picture drama Golden Globe Awards last night for his work on Avatar. This all coming a day after the film passed Star Wars to become the second highest grossing domestic film ever at the box office.

Once the Oscar's wrap up and Titanic's worldwide box office record (likely) falls at the hands of Avatar, attention will turn towards the Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray 3D and DVD release that will also look to set records later this year. Thanks to MTV, we know that a new cut of the film is in the works.

"The 'director's cut' is what we release," Cameron told MTV at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards. "What we do is we do a special edition, where you could select a longer version of the film that has some scenes reinstated. But it's really more of a fan version than a director's version."

That version will include approximately 10 seconds of the Jake and Neytiri "sex" scene Cameron previously hinted at and confirms was cut for being "one of those cases where the fantasy vastly exceeds the reality." The director estimates approximately 10-12 minutes will be edited back into the "fan" version.

Any Avatar Blu-ray and DVD announcement will have to wait until the film slows down at the box office. While its December competition like Sherlock Holmes locks in March release dates, Avatar may not even be announced by then.

Macca left out of Crooked Vultures

Paul McCartney wanted a place in Dave Grohl's supergroup Them Crooked Vultures, but was turned down in favour of Led Zeppelin legend John Paul Jones.

The Beatles star teamed up with the Foo Fighters frontman onstage for a performance at the 2009 Grammy Awards, and when the pair went out for dinner afterwards Grohl revealed his plans for a new band with Queens of the Stone Age singer Josh Homme.

The veteran musician offered his services, but was disappointed when Grohl turned him down - because the rocker had already asked Jones to play bass.

McCartney says, "We went out for a bite to eat afterwards and Dave told me he was starting this band with Josh. I asked him who was playing bass and he rather sheepishly told me he'd approached John. So you read it here first - Paul McCartney was nearly the bass player in Them Crooked Vultures."

Leno anticipates return to 11:30, lauds O'Brien

LOS ANGELES – Jay Leno turned serious on his show Monday to discuss the late-night chaos at NBC, explaining events from his standpoint and telling viewers he considered Conan O'Brien a "great guy."

In remarks after his monologue Monday, Leno said he'd tried to avoid doing a show in prime time but was convinced by NBC that it could work.

It didn't, with NBC pulling the plug on "The Jay Leno Show" after four months and devising a plan to put Leno back on at 11:30 p.m. and push O'Brien and "Tonight" to midnight. With O'Brien's rejection of the plan, NBC is now trying to negotiate his exit and return Leno to the late-night spot.

Leno said it looks like he might be back at 11:30 and that the situation could be resolved by Tuesday.

O'Brien's NBC departure leaves bits behind

As a deal nears for Conan O'Brien's exit from NBC, one thing is certain: The characters and recurring comedy bits O'Brien originated during his 16-plus years on "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show" will not follow the host when he leaves NBC.

The Peacock owns the intellectual property behind such popular O'Brien characters as Pimpbot 5000 and Conando, as well as recurring segments such as In the Year 3000 and Desk Driving. Sources involved in the settlement negotiations say NBC is keeping the copyrighted and trademarked elements of O'Brien's shows as part of the deal. That means the bits and characters will likely never be seen after O'Brien's "Tonight" ends its run Jan. 22.

While the vast majority of the characters O'Brien introduced are said to owned by NBC, it's unclear who controls Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, the crass canine puppet that is perhaps O'Brien's most popular recurring bit. Triumph was originated by writer and longtime O'Brien pal Robert Smigel, whose reps declined to comment on whether Smigel or NBC owned rights to the character.

In 1993, David Letterman got into a dustup with NBC when he departed "Late Night" for CBS' "Late Show." NBC attorneys attempted to prevent Letterman from taking intellectual property originated on "Late Night" to the comic's new home. Letterman responded by dropping certain bits and renaming other recurring segments -- "Viewer Mail" became "CBS Mailbag" and frequent guest Larry "Bud" Melman began referring to himself by his real name, Calvert DeForest. Letterman mocked the dispute on his first "Late Show" when NBC anchor Tom Brokaw interrupted the monologue and stole cue cards in the name of securing NBC's intellectual property.

O'Brien, if he lands at another late-night show, might be in a tougher spot. Unlike comic personalities Letterman and Jay Leno, O'Brien began his career as a writer on "Saturday Night Live" and "The Simpsons," and his shows relied more heavily on the cleverly scripted bits and outrageous characters.

Losing those assets could hurt O'Brien as he looks for another home, although his "Tonight" had featured fewer of the characters than "Late Night" and the host -- who is considered one of the top comedy writers in the business -- may be looking for a fresh start. Sources close to him said he was not interested in taking his NBC characters with him.

Cameron's `Avatar' wins best drama honor at Globes

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – The science-fiction blockbuster "Avatar" won best drama at the Golden Globes and picked up the directing honor for James Cameron on Sunday, raising the "Titanic" filmmaker's prospects for another Academy Awards triumph.

It was a repeat of Cameron's Globes night 12 years ago, when "Titanic" won best drama and the directing prize on its way to dominating the Oscars.

This time, though, instead of being "king of the world," as Cameron declared at the Oscars, he has become king of an alien landscape, elevating space fantasy to enormous critical acclaim.

"'Avatar' asks us to see that everything is connected, all human beings to each other, and us to the Earth. And if you have to go four and a half light years to another, made-up planet to appreciate this miracle of the world that we have right here, well, you know what, that's the wonder of cinema right there, that's the magic," Cameron said.

Winning the dramatic-acting honors were Sandra Bullock for the football tale "The Blind Side" and Jeff Bridges for the country-music story "Crazy Heart." The crowd gave a standing ovation to Bridges, a beloved veteran generally overlooked for key Hollywood honors.

"You're really screwing up my underappreciated status here," Bridges said.

The son of late actor Lloyd Bridges, Bridges thanked his father for encouraging him to go into show business.

"So glad I listened to you, dad," he said.

Bullock cited Michael Oher, the Baltimore Ravens rookie lineman whose life is the subject of "The Blind Side." She plays a wealthy woman whose family took in the teenage Oher after discovering he was homeless.

"If I may steal from Michael Oher, I may not be the most talented, but I've been given opportunity," Bullock said.

The acting prizes for musical and comedy went to Meryl Streep for the Julia Child story "Julie & Julia" and Robert Downey Jr. for the crime romp "Sherlock Holmes." The supporting-performance Globes were won by Mo'Nique as an abusive welfare mother in "Precious" and Christoph Waltz as a gleefully bloodthirsty Nazi in "Inglourious Basterds."

Downey thanked his frequent producing collaborator Joel Silver, the "guy that's only restarted my career 12 times since I began 25 years ago."

The Vegas bachelor bash "The Hangover" won for best musical or comedy, bringing uncharacteristic awards attention for broad comedy, a genre that often gets overlooked at Hollywood honors.

"I just want to thank my mom, who supported my decision to become a director when she realized I wasn't as smart as my two sisters," said "Hangover" director Todd Phillips.

As he accepted the directing Globe, Cameron had kind words for ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow, nominated as best director for "The Hurt Locker."

"Frankly, I thought Kathryn was going to get this. She richly deserves it," said Cameron, whose "Avatar" has taken in $1.6 billion worldwide, second only to "Titanic" with $1.8 billion.

The Globes marked a dramatic turning point for Mo'Nique, who was mainly known for lowbrow comedy but startled audiences with her ferocious performance in "Precious: Based on the Novel `Push' By Sapphire."

Mo'Nique had gushing praise for "Precious" director Lee Daniels and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, a best dramatic actress nominee at the Globes with her first film role, playing Mo'Nique's abused, illiterate daughter.

"Lee Daniels, the world gets a chance to see how brilliant you are. You are a brilliant, fearless, amazing director who would not waver, and thank you for trusting me," Mo'Nique said. "To Gabby, sister, I am in awe of you. Thank you for letting me play with you."

Streep's competition for best actress in a musical or comedy included herself. She also was nominated for the romance "It's Complicated."

"I just want to say that in my long career, I've played so many extraordinary woman that I'm getting mistaken for one," Streep said. "I'm very clear that I'm the vessel for other people's stories and other people's lives."

Waltz, a veteran Austrian actor who is a relative newcomer in Hollywood, won the supporting-actor Globe in Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds."

"A year and a half ago I was exposed to the gravitational forces of Quentin Tarantino," Waltz said. "He took my modest little world, my globe, and with the power of his talent and his words and his vision, he flung it into its orbit, a dizzying experience."

Though one of Hollywood's biggest parties, the Globes bore somber reminders of tragedy in the real world, many stars wearing ribbons in support of earthquake victims in Haiti.

The blockbuster "Up" came away with the award for animated film. Pixar Animation, the Disney outfit that made "Up," has won all four prizes for animated movies since the Globes introduced the category in 2006. Past Pixar winners are "WALL-E," "Ratatouille" and "Cars."

"Up" features the voice of Ed Asner in a tale of a lonely, bitter widower who renews his zest for adventure by flying his house off under helium balloons to South America, where he encounters his childhood hero and a hilarious gang of talking canines.

"When it came to finding the heart of the film, we didn't have to look very hard," said "Up" director Pete Docter, whose film also won for musical score. "Our inspiration was all around us. Our grandparents, our parents, our wives, our kids. Our talking dogs."

Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner won the screenplay honor for "Up in the Air," which Reitman also directed. The foreign-language honor went to "The White Ribbon," a stark drama of guilt and suspicion set in a German town on the eve of World War I.

"Mad Men" won for best TV drama, while Michael C. Hall won for best actor in a TV drama for "Dexter," in which he plays a serial killer with a code of ethics, killing only other murderers. Hall's publicists revealed this past week that Hall is being treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma and that the cancer is in remission.

"It's really a hell of a thing to go to work in a place where everybody gives a damn. That's really the case with `Dexter,'" Hall said. "It's a dream job. I'm so grateful."

"Dexter" also won the supporting-actor TV honor for John Lithgow. Other TV winners included Juliana Margulies as best actress in a drama for "The Good Wife" and Toni Collette as best comedy actress for "The United States of Tara."

The rain-drenched red carpet was a rare sight for an awards show in sunny southern California, stars in their finery getting damp under umbrellas as storms swept the region.

The Globes got a makeover, featuring Ricky Gervais as master of ceremonies, the first time in 15 years the show had a host.

One of his most biting quips came as he sipped a beer on stage.

"I like a drink as much as the next man, unless the next man is Mel Gibson," Gervais wisecracked as he introduced Globe presenter Mel Gibson, who made an anti-Semitic rant a few years back during a drunken-driving arrest.

Sunday's winners could get a last-minute boost for the Oscars, whose nominations balloting closes Saturday. Last year's big Globe winner, "Slumdog Millionaire," went on to dominate the Oscars.

The Globes are presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a group of about 90 reporters covering show business for overseas outlets. The show aired live on NBC.

The Couch Potato Report - January 17th, 2010

This week The Couch Potato Report peels films about Mothers and Fathers and we visit the hurt locker.

I begin this week’s Report with two Canadian films about parents and parenting.

One is a movie about two women hoping to become mothers that wants to be a comedy…but it isn’t funny.

The other movie is a documentary about a man looking for his biological father that is interesting and insightful.

Let me get the unfunny one out of the way so I never have to think about it again.

THE BABY FORMULA is set in Toronto and it is about two women in a loving relationship who decide they want to have a baby.

Through a series of stem cell experiments for one of them, and lies from the other, they both end up pregnant.

I’ll admit, I like the idea of THE BABY FORMULA. I thought that it could have made a good film, but the people who made it decided to shoot it as if it was a documentary, like the television show THE OFFICE, and while it works for the TV show, it just doesn’t work in this movie.

There are so many things wrong with THE BABY FORMULA, but the primary thing that worked against it is that I didn’t care for the lead characters, and thus, I didn’t care about them. There were also too many secondary characters who took away from what could have been a nice story about two women using science to create life and have a family.

Plus, the movie thinks its funny. The people who made it think that what they have written is funny…and it isn’t. It is just another textbook definition of Canadian Melodrama put on film and I did not care for it at all!

At the 45th of the 81 minutes of the movie, I was actually wondering how I would be able to sit through any more of it, but I made it to the end...and I am here to advise you not to bother.

THE BABY FORMULA is just not worthy of your time.

From a story about Mothers, lets move now to a film about Fathers.

And BIO DAD is a movie I did like.

BIO DAD is a documentary about a man named Barry Stevens who was born of artificial insemination and is on a search to find his biological father.

And - in addition to looking for his Bio Dad - Barry is also looking to track down as many of the hundreds of half brothers and sisters he can find.

I liked BIO DAD as it shows us Barry’s successes and disappointments. It informed and entertained me, and I also learned a few things about artificial insemination and adoption that I didn’t know.

Unlike THE BABY FORMULA, BIO DAD is worthy of your time. This is good stuff!

The nominations for this year’s Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, February 2nd and while our first two releases this week aren’t likely to hear their names called, these next two films are almost guaranteed to be nominated.

Especially THE HURT LOCKER, this movie will be nominated in at least the Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor categories, and maybe even several others.

The film is one of the most highly praised releases of the year, and while I will admit that it is very good, I didn’t think it was THAT good.

THE HURT LOCKER was directed by Kathryn Bigelow, who also gave us POINT BREAK, BLUE STEEL and STRANGE DAYS, and it is about an elite Army bomb squad in Iraq who must defuse bombs and work in a city where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be a deadly explosive.

Now that synopsis, that concept, that film sounded great to me, it still does, and for the first 55 minutes this movie about people who – for some reason – have the nerve and courage to try and stop something from exploding is great!

But then, after that tremendous start – a start full of tense action, drama and hard-to-believe scenarios – the movie switches gears with one long stand-off in the desert and at that point, I started to not only lose interest…I was bored.

THE HURT LOCKER manages to recover, and I was interested in it again by the end. No, it doesn’t finish as strong as it starts, but what a start!!
No, after watching it for a fourth time this week, I still don’t think that the movie is as good as everyone else seems to think it is, but it is a movie that has enough good stuff in it for me to recommend it.

And if you like to see all of the movies nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, you will need to see THE HURT LOCKER (START CLIP) for sure!

Yes, THE HURT LOCKER is almost a guaranteed Best Picture nominee, and another almost lock is THE COVE, but not for Best Picture. This film about the purported annual killing of about 2,300 dolphins in a National Park in Japan should garner a nod in the Best Documentary Feature category.

Yes, you heard me right, THE COVE is a documentary about the slaughter of dolphins…dolphins! Those cute creatures who everyone loves…even the mention of them can make us smile…dolphins.

THE COVE is a very, very interesting and well made documentary that I recommend about a topic that I still find hard to believe…the slaughter of one of the world’s friendliest creatures.

From potential Academy Award nominees…and maybe even winners…lets movie now to a film that won’t get nominated…but will probably find an audience of teenage girls and young women who discover it and love it on DVD or Blu-ray.

Alexis Bledel from GILMOUR GIRLS stars in POST GRAD.

POST GRAD is about a young woman who graduates from college and doesn’t get the dream job that she has been planning for her whole life, and as such, has to move back in with her parents, while she attempts to find a job, the right guy, and some idea where her life is headed.

If POST GRAD sounds a lot like the 1994 film REALITY BITES, well that’s because they are basically the same movie. This one isn’t as good as that one, but like I said, there are some young women out there who will love it.

Enjoy it, ladies!

I have four films for you now, and they are the films of the THE SCARY MOVIE FRANCHISE

The Scary Movie series is a series of four films that spoof popular horror films. They have collectively grossed over $818 million at the box-office and all star Anna Faris, as Cindy Campbell.

The third and fourth films in the series also star Saskatchewan’s own, Mr. Leslie Nielsen!!

The first two films in THE SCARY MOVIE FRANCHISE are still the best, but the latter two still have more than a few laughs, so if you have enjoyed them over the years, you can now own them in this inexpensive set.

From a series of four comedies, let me now tell you about a documentary about the last U.S. election called BY THE PEOPLE – THE ELECTION OF BARACK OBAMA.

This documentary follows Obama's campaign all the way from 2006 to the night he won the U.S. Presidency.

We see him and his team doing early grassroots campaigning, through large fundraisers, and the we also see the race shift his was as he went from an unknown, to the most well-known politician on the planet.

Sadly, it is what we don’t see and hear that makes this documentary not worth recommending.

Yes, they story of the campaign is well covered, but there are no big surprises, no scoops for those of us who wanted to know more about the man and his victory.

And, even though the film promises “Exclusive Access”, the cameras are not with Obama during the big moments, as in the exact moment he won the presidency. I wanted to see his face and reaction when he realized he’d won…but this film does not give us that.

In the end, BY THE PEOPLE – THE ELECTION OF BARACK OBAMA is a pretty good documentary, but there is nothing special about it.

There was also nothing special about Arnold Schwarzenegger’s LAST ACTION HERO when it came out in 1993, and the time hasn’t been that kind to it either. Even watching it this week, the film about a kid who gets thrown into a movie with his favourite action movie star, I was left with no nostalgia for a film that I - and many movie goers at the time - was hoping would continue Ah-nold’s box-office dominance. Instead – then and now – the film is a huge flop.

LAST ACTION HERO is now available on Blu-ray, and while the movie does look tremendous in High Definition, it still isn’t a film that is worthy of our time. PLUS, the Blu-ray has absolutely no Special Features. There is no retrospective look back, no commentary from the filmmakers about the film’s failure, and what they had hoped,… nothing.

So, if you are one of the few folks who do love this movie, then the BLU-RAY for LAST ACTION HERO is one you might want to own. Otherwise…it is best left in the past.

Another movie that came out in 1993 – but this one was and remains a success – is Sylvester Stallone’s CLIFFHANGER.

It too is now out on Blu-ray, and unlike LAST ACTION HERO, this one has a wealth of special features and retrospectives…but most importantly, it has a film that remains a movie worth watching.

CLIFFHANGER is an action film with great characters and suspense about a heist gone wrong that results in people searching for suitcases full of cash in the Rocky Mountains.

CLIFFHANGER looks great in High Def, and the Special Features are insightful and entertaining. Don’t miss this film on BLU-RAY, if you are a fan of good films.

Up next on Blu-ray, the Beacon shines on a film about the satellite that shines on us every night.

It is a movie called MOON.

MOON is a very interesting little film starring Sam Rockwell from Forst/Nixon and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind as man who is coming to the end of his three-year contract at a single-man mining outpost on the moon and he is getting ready to go home.

His only companion is his talking computer, however…after an accident…he makes an interesting discovery.

Oscar winner Kevin Spacey provides the voice of the computer.

MOON is not your typical science-fiction film, there are no aliens or space fights, but the sci-fi element is what might keep people away from the movie.

However, I could easily recommend the film to anyone who is interested in character driven films that make you wait to get all the answers…answers that I won’t be giving you, you’ll have to watch the movie to get them

No, MOON is not a classic, but it is a smart, engaging little movie that I do mildly recommend.

Finally this week, we get to celebrate twenty years of (START CLIP) THE SIMPSONS

For over twenty years now Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie and the residents of Springfield and area have been entertaining us, and making us laugh on a very regular basis.

Prior to this week, the first twelve seasons of the show had been released on DVD, and now THE COMPLETE TWENTIETH SEASON has come out on DVD AND Blu-ray!

Why jump ahead, you ask…well, this is the season that saw the show debut in High Definition, using the left and right sides of the TV screen to add new images and jokes and the studio wanted to get it out there.

Unfortunately, because they jumped ahead, this set doesn’t have the usual amount of special features and commentaries that we have come to expect from these SIMPSONS BOX SETS…however, it does still have the episodes, which still make me laugh, so I can easily recommend it…and I eagerly await SEASON THIRTEEN or SEASON TWENTY-ONE on DVD and Blu-ray…whichever comes first.

THE COMPLETE TWENTIETH SEASON of THE SIMPSONS, MOON, CLIFFHANGER, THE LAST ACTION HERO, POST GRAD and THE HURT LOCKER are all available now on Blu-ray and DVD.

BIO DAD, BABY FORMULA, THE SCARY MOVIE FRANCHISE, THE BURNING PLAIN, BY THE PEOPLE – THE ELECTION OF BARACK OBAMA and THE COVE – the documentary about the slaughter of dolphins - are all available now only on DVD.

Coming up on the next Couch Potato Report

A Canadian made romance called CAIRO TIME about a brief, unexpected love affair that catches two people completely off-guard.

Also next week, the Academy Award winning Foreign Language Film DEPARTURES, THE INVENTION OF LYING, and THE BLU-RAY BEACON will shine on THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON of the television series CHUCK.

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 again next time on The Couch!

Murphy's death blamed on Hollywood

Brittany Murphy's husband Simon Monjack has opened up about the death of the Clueless star - blaming her demise on the pressures of Hollywood.

The actress, 32, died on December 20 after suffering a cardiac arrest at her Hollywood Hills home. She was laid to rest on Christmas Eve, but the cause of her death has been deferred pending toxicology results.

Monjack and his mother-in-law Sharon have now spoken out for an upcoming U.S. chat show - and the British director is convinced the Tinseltown lifestyle led to his wife's death.

In an emotional interview with Larry King, he says: "You want to know what broke Brittany Murphy's heart? Hollywood broke Brittany Murphy's heart."

Monjack also speaks frankly in the TV chat about how he and Sharon are dealing with the death of the young actress.

He says, "I don't think I am. I don't think either of us are (coping). You wake up in the morning and it's like a rebirth. It's - there's not enough time to - your dreams, be they good or bad, when you wake up and I reach out to touch or hold my wife and she isn't there."

The heartbroken pair also opens up about the moment they learned Murphy was dead.

Monjack tells King that doctors let him and his mother-in-law hear the tragic news at the same time - but Sharon is adamant she knew her beloved daughter had died before she was told.

She says, "We knew before that. It was just - you know, you felt her life go out of her."

The interview is set to be broadcast in the U.S. on Wednesday.

"The Hurt Locker" a blast at Critics Choice Awards

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – "The Hurt Locker," a low-budget movie about an American bomb-disposal unit in Iraq, was named best picture on Friday at the Critics' Choice Awards, an event that has an uncanny knack of foreshadowing Oscar success.

The movie's director, Kathryn Bigelow, also was honored, beating a high-profile field that included her ex-husband, "Avatar" filmmaker James Cameron -- a duel she described as "sorta surreal."

"Avatar," which scored nine nominations, was named best action movie, and picked up five other awards in newly established technical categories to lead the overall field.

Jeff Bridges was named best actor for playing a drunken country singer in "Crazy Heart," while the actress award was a tie between Meryl Streep for "Julie & Julia" and Sandra Bullock for "The Blind Side."

The supporting actor awards went to a pair of on-screen villains: Austrian actor Christoph Waltz for his turn as a malevolent Nazi in "Inglourious Basterds" and comedienne Mo'Nique who played an abusive mother in "Precious."

"NINE" AN UNLUCKY NUMBER

"Inglourious Basterds" won two other awards: for director Quentin Tarantino's original screenplay and for best ensemble. Along with the all-star musical "Nine," it led the field with 10 nominations. "Nine," a major box-office bomb, went home empty-handed.

Other winners included Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner for their adapted screenplay for "Up in the Air," and Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar's Broken Embraces" for foreign-language film.

The Critics' Choice Awards, organized by the 235 members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association in the United States and Canada, have established a reputation as the leading barometer of Oscar success. In the past 10 years, 80 percent of its best-picture winners went on to take Oscar gold. The success rate for director, best actor and actress is 70 percent.

Backstage, the winners were decidedly cagey about their Oscar chances ahead of the February 2 nominations announcement.

Bridges, who has been nominated for four Oscars but never won, simply hoped the awards attention would boost the commercial prospects of "Crazy Heart" -- a country version of last year's Oscar hopeful "The Wrestler."

"It's really wonderful to get the tip of the hat by the guys that do what you do," he said. "So if that should happen it would be wonderful."

Bullock and Streep shared the platform backstage and traded glowing assessments of each other. Bullock's eyes welled up when Streep hailed her rival's "amazing" facility for on-screen charm and compassion.

Sandra Bullock gives $1 million to Haiti relief

LOS ANGELES – Sandra Bullock said Friday she donated $1 million toward Haitian earthquake relief, and Madonna announced she gave $250,000 toward the effort as celebrity aid continued to pour into the devestated country.

Bullock's contribution went to Doctors Without Borders' emergency operations in Port-Au-Prince, where three of the organization's existing facilities were damaged by the magnitude 7.0 quake.

"I wanted to ensure that my donation would be used immediately to meet the needs of the Haitian people affected by this catastrophic event," said Bullock in a statement.

Madonna's gift was to Partners In Health, a longtime medical provider in Haiti.
"I urge all of my friends and fans around the world to join me collectively to match my contribution or give in any way you can," she said. "We must act now."

Earlier Friday, Not On Our Watch, an advocacy and grantmaking group founded by George Clooney, Brad Pitt and others, donated $1 million to Partners in Health.

The international Red Cross estimates 45,000 to 50,000 people were killed in the earthquake, which devastated the Caribbean nation on Tuesday.

Globe nominees mix wild fantasy, harsh reality

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Far-out fantasy and ripped-from-the-headlines reality are in the running at Sunday night's Golden Globes, Hollywood's first major film honors that will help sort out the Academy Awards picture.

Contenders for best drama include two wildly make-believe adventures, the science-fiction spectacle "Avatar" and the war story "Inglourious Basterds," which rewrites the end of World War II with a gleefully vengeful bloodbath at a movie premiere.

Also competing are timely dramas of the war on terror ("The Hurt Locker") and economic hard times ("Up in the Air"), along with the grim but inspiring "Precious: Based on the Novel `Push' By Sapphire," about a Harlem teen struggling to lift herself out of an abyss of illiteracy, abuse and neglect.

With stars sharing dinner and drinks, the Globes traditionally are a loose and relaxed affair compared to the courtly Oscars. Celebrities sometimes are caught more in reality-show mode — Jack Nicholson once mooned the crowd for a laugh, and Christine Lahti had to rush from the restroom to collect her Globe for the TV drama "Chicago Hope."

Also unlike other Hollywood film honors, the Globes feature categories for musicals and comedies along with dramas. Nominated for best musical or comedy are the Vegas bachelor romp "The Hangover," the Julia Child tale "Julie & Julia," the musical "Nine" and the romances "(500) Days of Summer" and "It's Complicated."

Among acting nominees are Meryl Streep for both "Julie & Julia" and "It's Complicated," Sandra Bullock for both "The Blind Side" and "The Proposal" and Matt Damon for both "The Informant!" and "Invictus."

Others include George Clooney, Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick for "Up in the Air," Morgan Freeman for "Invictus," Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard and Penelope Cruz for "Nine," Robert Downey Jr. for "Sherlock Holmes" and Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique for "Precious."

Martin Scorsese, who won the best-director Globe three years ago for "The Departed," is receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Award for career achievement.

Sunday's winners could get a last-minute boost for the Oscars, whose nominations balloting closes Saturday. Oscar nominations come out Feb. 2, with the awards following on March 7.

Last year's big Globe winner, "Slumdog Millionaire," went on to dominate the Oscars.

The Globes are presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a group of about 90 reporters covering show business for overseas outlets. The show airs live on NBC.

'Avatar' passes 'Star Wars' with $491.8M in US

LOS ANGELES – James Cameron's "Avatar" had a $41.3 million weekend to shoot past "Star Wars" as the No. 3 movie on the all-time domestic box office charts. Next stop, "The Dark Knight."

Number One for the fifth-straight weekend, Cameron's sci-fi saga raised its domestic total to $491.8 million and should top $500 million after revenues are counted on Martin Luther King Day, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Worldwide, 20th Century Fox's "Avatar" lifted its total to $1.6 billion, second only to Cameron's last movie, 1997's "Titanic," at $1.8 billion.

"One guy makes two movies in 10 years, and they're by far the biggest movies of all time. That's remarkable," said Chris Aronson, head of distribution for the studio.

"Avatar" topped the original "Star Wars," which took in $460.9 million domestically in its original run and several reissues over the years. But factoring in today's higher admission prices, "Star Wars" remains well ahead of "Avatar" on actual number of tickets sold.

"Avatar" now is closing in on "The Dark Knight," No. 2 domestically with $533.3 million. After that, only Cameron's "Titanic" at $600 million will remain ahead of "Avatar" domestically.

"We'll be proud of our No. 3 slot," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros., which released "The Dark Knight" and has hopes for more in the Batman franchise from its director, Christopher Nolan. "I can just give Chris Nolan a nudge that he's got to raise the bar."

Warner, which has Nolan's sci-fi tale "Inception" with Leonardo DiCaprio opening this July, had a strong No. 2 debut of $31.6 million for its action thriller "The Book of Eli." The movie stars Denzel Washington as a post-apocalypse prophet carrying the last known Bible to safe haven across a decimated America.

Expanding nationwide after a month in limited release, Paramount's drama "The Lovely Bones" came in at No. 3 with $17.1 million. Directed by "The Lord of the Rings" creator Peter Jackson, "The Lovely Bones" features Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz and Stanley Tucci in the story of a murdered teen looking back on the world from the afterlife.

Lionsgate's family action tale "The Spy Next Door" debuted at No. 6 with $9.7 million. It stars Jackie Chan as a newly retired agent forced back into the spy game when bad guys come after him and his girlfriend's kids.

Like "Titanic," which dominated the Academy Awards 12 years ago, "Avatar" is expected to remain aloft in the box office charts as Oscar season progresses. "Avatar" was up for best drama at Sunday's Golden Globes and is considered a likely best-picture nominee when Oscar nominations come out Feb. 2.

"It's kind of the cherry on top of the cake for this movie to not only be a massive box office hit, but to get all this awards attention," said Paul Dergarabedian, box office analyst for Hollywood.com. "It's hard sometimes to get a 50- or 60-year-old out of their chair to go see a science-fiction movie in 3-D. But if `Avatar' gets enough recognition from the critics, they may just do it."

Fox executive Aronson would not say if the studio expects "Avatar" to pass either the $600 million domestic total for "Titanic" or its $1.8 billion worldwide total. Some box office watchers say "Avatar" could climb as high $2 billion, though.

"`Titanic' was a ship. Batman had a motorcycle. `Avatar's' a rocket ship," Aronson said. "Is there a lot of fuel left in the tank? You bet."

Even if "Avatar" sets a new revenue record, it's doubtful it would sell as many tickets as "Titanic" did because of today's higher admission prices.

"Titanic" sold about 130 million tickets domestically based on average ticket prices of about $4.60 back in 1997 and 1998. Based on today's average domestic price of about $7.50, "Avatar" would be at around half that mark.

Average admission prices for "Avatar" likely run even higher, given that much of its business comes from a 3-D version, which costs a few dollars extra to see.

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

1. "Avatar," $41.3 million.
2. "The Book of Eli," $31.6 million.
3. "The Lovely Bones," $17.1 million.
4. "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," $11.5 million.
5. "Sherlock Holmes," $9.8 million.
6. "The Spy Next Door," $9.7 million.
7. "It's Complicated," $7.7 million.
8. "Leap Year," $5.8 million.
9. "The Blind Side," $5.6 million.
10. "Up in the Air," $5.5 million.

Beatles: Rock Band sales slow over holidays as music video game genre bombs

Sales of The Beatles: Rock Band game during the holidays turned out to be less than fab.

The costly music game sold 357,000 units in the U.S. in December, bringing its total since launching Sept. 9 of last year to 1.18 million, according to new data from the NPD Group.

Including foreign sales, The Beatles: Rock Band sold more than 1.7 million units worldwide.

In contrast, 2008's Rock Band 2, which was significantly less expensive to produce, sold 1.7 million units in the U.S. alone in its first four months.

Scott Guthrie, executive vice president of Viacom's MTV Games unit, said he was pleased with the holiday sales, though he noted that some European markets performed below the company's expectations.

He said that while overall sales were down, profit margins on the Beatles game could be higher than for Rock Band 2 because fewer people bought instrument controllers, on which Viacom was losing money, and more bought the game by itself. Guthrie also noted that players purchased more than 1 million Beatles song downloads to play in the game.

Viacom, the owner of Paramount Pictures and MTV Networks, guaranteed at last $10 million to various Beatles rights holders, including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison, EMI Music and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, in order to produce and promote the game.

The Beatles: Rock Band debuted with a solid 595,000 units sold in its first month. At the time, Guthrie said he expected a strong boost over the holidays as MTV invested in marketing in November and December aimed at Beatles fans who weren't experienced gamers.

Viacom had hoped that the Beatles game would help bring its Rock Band franchise, which has consistently lost money over the last two years, into the black. Guthrie declined to comment on financial specifics before Viacom's next earnings report, but said his division was "turning the corner" toward profitability.

The Beatles: Rock Band was far from the only music video game to experience disappointing sales last year. Activision's Guitar Hero 5 sold only 996,000 units. By contrast, 2008's Guitar Hero: World Tour sold 3.4 million.

Overall, sales of music video games plunged 46% to $1.06 billion last year, according to NPD. It was the largest decline of any genre, indicating that the once red-hot music gaming trend, which took off with the original Guitar Hero in 2005, is losing steam. Part of that drop, however, is because in 2008 more music games were sold with pricey instrument controllers than last year.

Kimmel tweaks Leno, NBC over late-night dispute

LOS ANGELES – Jimmy Kimmel stepped into NBC's late-night fray on Jay Leno's turf, taking comic aim at him and NBC on "The Jay Leno Show."

Appearing by satellite Thursday for Leno's "Ten at Ten" question-and-answer segment, the ABC late-night host was asked to relate his best prank ever. Kimmel replied that he told a guy five years ago that he'd give him his show, and "then I took it back."

It was a thinly veiled reference to Leno's agreement in 2004 to surrender "The Tonight Show" to O'Brien in 2009, after 17 years as host.

NBC, which is ending Leno's prime-time show, wants to return him to 11:30 p.m. EST by bumping O'Brien and "Tonight" to midnight, a plan O'Brien has rejected. The network was in talks with both hosts.

Kimmel also joked that Leno had "$800 million, for God's sake," and advised him to leave other hosts' shows alone.

Leno might have known what to expect from his guest, who'd already made pointed fun of him on Tuesday's "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Wearing an exaggerated fake chin to play Leno, Kimmel joked that he was taking over all late-night shows, including Kimmel's, and announced that ABC stands for "Always Bump Conan."

O'Brien did some pummeling of his own Thursday, in what is becoming a pattern for him and Leno.

"Hi, I'm Conan O'Brien, NBC's `Employee of the Month,'" he said in his monologue. "There's a rumor that NBC is so upset with me, they want to keep me off the air for 3 years. My response to that is, if NBC doesn't want people to see me, just leave me on NBC."

Leno delivered a punch in his monologue: "Welcome to the new show, `I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Off NBC!'" he said.

Meanwhile, NBC looked to the future by announcing that new and veteran NBC dramas and a comedy produced by Jerry Seinfeld will take over the bulk of the prime-time slots soon to be vacated by Jay Leno.

The network said Thursday that the freshman drama "Parenthood" and the relocated "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: Special Victim Units" will fill three slots. Another will go to the comedy panel series "The Marriage Ref" from Seinfeld.

"Dateline NBC" will fill another 10 p.m. EST slot.

The new lineup will debut after NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics from Feb. 12-28.

For now, though, dramas can claim to be winners in the schedule shake up, reclaiming most of the slots lost when NBC decided to experiment with Leno's show as a cheaper alternative.

"Law & Order" will return after the Games on Monday, March 1, with a two-hour episode airing at 9 p.m. EST. The show, in its 20th season, will begin airing regularly at 10 p.m. the following week.

"Parenthood," with an ensemble cast including Lauren Graham and Peter Krause, will debut 10 p.m. EST Tuesday, March 2.

The "Special Victims Unit" member of the "Law & Order" family will air in the final prime-time slot on Wednesdays, starting March 3.

The other new 10 p.m. show, "The Marriage Ref" with comedian Tom Papa, will air Thursdays beginning March 4 after a Feb. 28 sneak peek following the closing ceremony of the Olympics. "Dateline NBC" will air 9-11 p.m. EST Fridays starting March 5.

Also bowing after the Olympics are "Who Do You Think You Are?" — a look at the family history of celebrities, 8 p.m. EST Friday, March 5, and "Minute to Win It," a game show with TV food personality Guy Fieri, 8 p.m. EST Sunday, March 14.

NBC plans 835 hours of Winter Olympic coverage

NEW YORK – NBC will spread 835 hours of coverage of the Vancouver Olympics over five networks and its Olympic Web site, all of it in high definition.

The network announced the numbers Thursday, saying it will be the most total hours ever for a Winter Olympics, and more than the last two Winter Games combined.

Coverage starts with Opening Ceremonies on Feb. 12.

In addition to NBC, programming will be on the USA Network, MSNBC, CNBC and Universal HD.

NBC's prime-time coverage will consist mainly of figure skating and Alpine skiing, with some freestyle skiing, speedskating and snowboarding mixed in.

Unsaid was who will host "The Tonight Show," the only hour on the NBC schedule between 3 p.m. and 5 a.m. that will not consist of Olympic programming.

George Clooney, MTV working on Haiti telethon

LOS ANGELES – MTV Networks is working with George Clooney to stage a telethon for Haitian earthquake relief.

MTV spokesman Mark Jafar said Thursday that details are still being worked out.

There's no word yet about other stars getting involved. But Clooney representative Stan Rosenfield said the actor is in the process of helping organize the telethon, which likely would air Jan. 22 on all MTV Networks — which include VH1, Comedy Central and CMT — as well as on ABC, NBC, HBO and CNN.

Thousands are feared dead after the massive earthquake, and the Caribbean island nation desperately needs aid.

Soul singer Teddy Pendergrass dies

PHILADELPHIA - Teddy Pendergrass, who became R&B's reigning sex symbol in the 1970s and '80s with his forceful, masculine voice and passionate love ballads and later became an inspirational figure after suffering a devastating car accident that left him paralyzed, died Wednesday at age 59.

The singer's son, Teddy Pendergrass II, said his father died at a hospital in suburban Philadelphia. The singer underwent colon cancer surgery eight months ago and had "a difficult recovery," his son said.

"To all his fans who loved his music, thank you," his son said. "He will live on through his music."

Pendergrass suffered a spinal cord injury and was paralyzed from the waist down in the 1982 car accident. He spent six months in a hospital but returned to recording the next year with the album "Love Language."

He returned to the stage at the Live Aid concert in 1985, performing from his wheelchair.

Pendergrass later founded the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, an organization whose mission is to encourage and help people with spinal cord injuries achieve their maximum potential in education, employment, housing, productivity and independence, according to its Web site.

Pendergrass, who was born in Philadelphia on March 26, 1950, gained popularity first as a member of Harold Melvin&the Blue Notes.

In 1971, the group signed a record deal with the legendary writer/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The group released it first single, "I Miss You," in 1972 and then released "If You Don't Know Me by Now," which was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Pendergrass quit the group in 1975 and embarked on a solo career in 1976. It was his solo hits that brought him his greatest fame. With songs such as "Love T.K.O.," "Close the Door" and "I Don't Love You Anymore," he came to define a new era of black male singers with his powerful, aggressive vocals that spoke to virility, not vulnerability.

His lyrics were never coarse, as those of later male R&B stars would be, but they had a sensual nature that bordered on erotic without being explicit.

"Turn Off the Lights" was a tune that perhaps best represented the many moods of Pendergrass - tender and coaxing yet strong as the song reached its climax.

Pendergrass, the first black male singer to record five consecutive multi-platinum albums, made women swoon with each note, and his concerts were a testament to that adulation, with infamous stories of women throwing their underwear on stage for his affection.

Following the car accident, it was 19 years before Pendergrass resumed performing concerts. He made his return on Memorial Day weekend in 2001, with two sold-out shows in Atlantic City, N.J.

Pendergrass is survived by his son, two daughters, his wife, his mother and nine grandchildren.

Quentin Tarantino on his 'Basterds'

With its aura of faux humility, dense saturation of "for your consideration" ads and humble-yet-effusive nominee posturing, awards season can be a long (if gala-packed and celebrity-studded) slog for Hollywood watchers.

So it comes as a blast of fresh air when a front-runner allows himself to get into the competitive spirit. Cut to writer-director Quentin Tarantino mulling the Oscar possibilities for his spaghetti western-cum- World War II thriller " Inglourious Basterds." So far, the film has taken in more than $300 million worldwide, landed 10 Critics Choice Movie Awards nominations (as well as a Directors Guild of America nod for Tarantino) and was being handicapped by certain gurus of gold as a shoo-in among the best picture Oscar contenders even before the category doubled to 10 nominees.

"Do I want to win? I totally want to win," Tarantino exclaimed over a vodka and cranberry at a Beverly Hills hotel the day before "Basterds" snagged four Golden Globe nominations. "I've already won an Oscar. But if I did win, that would be one for every decade I've been in the business. And that would be awesome! Especially because everyone wrote me off in the first five years of my career as this rock star-y flash in the pan."

A genre-bending mash-up of the "men on a mission" war movie genre splintered into five "chapters," "Basterds" follows a Jewish terror squad that sets out to destabilize the Third Reich by killing and scalping German soldiers in occupied France. Some sections of the film spool out fueled by talk-y, monologue-driven drama, others with gritty shoot 'em up fantasy.

And while Brad Pitt may be the film's focal point as Aldo "the Apache" Raines, the scene-stealing Austrian actor Christoph Waltz, who portrays the polyglot Nazi colonel known as "the Jew hunter," is its heart and soul. Waltz is an odds-on favorite for the supporting actor Oscar (and so far has secured a Golden Globe nod).

But to hear it from Tarantino, casting the smooth-talking sadist Col. Hans Landa proved so difficult that until Waltz arrived, the writer-director considered scuttling the project.

"When I finished the script, I'm aware enough to know, this is one of the best roles I've ever written -- one of the best roles I'll ever write," Tarantino said. "It was so there on the page, if I couldn't get what was on the page onto the screen, I didn't want to make the movie."

Auditions began inauspiciously in Berlin. After seeing a number of German actors fluent in English, no one was nailing the essence of the character: a man who is, by turns, silky and bloodthirsty, debonair and extremely goofy -- in four different languages.

"Other German actors would come in, they'd do the German part fantastic, stumble through the French to one degree or another," Tarantino recalled. "But when it came to English, they couldn't make my dialogue sing."

He continued: "I pulled the producers together and said, 'Look, guys, I don't know if we are going to find Landa. I might have just written a role that's unplayable. And I don't want to make the movie without Landa. I'd rather just publish the script."

Waltz, 53, a journeyman stage and TV actor, became the 12th person to read for the part and iced it.

"Christoph came in, he sure looks like Landa. He carries himself in a certain way and that wasn't him trying -- Christoph is just very erudite," said Tarantino. "And halfway through the opening scene, I was like, 'This is the guy!' "

With his seemingly bottomless well of enthusiasm, eminent quip-worthiness and a born hustler's easy smile, Tarantino admitted that he has taken to the kind of Hollywood politicking that will result in Oscar votes like a duck to water. Having previously won an Oscar for best screenplay for 1994's "Pulp Fiction" (an award he shares with co-writer Roger Avary) and landed a Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for "Pulp," he's no stranger to the drill.

So, what kind of statuette-grabbing plays is master Oscar campaigner Harvey Weinstein calling from the sideline? "It's just, 'Go to the parties. Everyone loves your movie so just keep reminding them. When they see you, they'll be reminded of how much.' "

And again, the Southern California-reared former video store clerk pondered what academy validation for "Basterds" would symbolize at this point in his career. "The movie flew in the face of conventional wisdom in almost every aspect. It's a movie made out of five chapters, some are like one-act plays -- and with all these different languages in there," Tarantino said. "And there's nothing better for an artist like myself than to prove conventional wisdom wrong.

"So, it actually means a lot to be in contention at the end of my second decade in business," he said in a voice barely below a shout. "My wine is aging very well!"

Johnny Cash's final studio album, 'American VI,' coming Feb. 26

“American VI: Ain’t No Grave,” the final studio album by Johnny Cash, will be released Feb. 26, timed to what would have been the Man in Black’s 78th birthday.

The Rick Rubin-produced collection consists of recordings they made together after finishing “American IV: The Man Comes Around” in 2002 and before Cash died on Sept. 12, 2003, and features a characteristically genre- and era-hopping batch of songs by Kris Kristofferson, Sons of the Pioneers’ Bob Nolan, Tom Paxton, Sheryl Crow and others.

Throughout his career, Cash consistently was drawn to a wide variety of songs and songwriters, reflecting his relentless pursuit of quality and substance. "He loved talking about music," Rubin told me shortly before “American V” was released. "Since I met him, he was never particularly talkative. But if you drew him out, he knew about everything. He was a really wise man.”

The new collection also includes an original that Cash wrote during his final years, “I Corinthians: 15:55,” from the New Testament passage about the spirit ultimately triumphing over the physical body: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

The first of the posthumous releases in the “American” series, “American V: A Hundred Highways,” surfaced in 2006 and landed Cash another Grammy Award for the music video accompanying the song “God's Gonna Cut You Down.” It also gave Cash his first No. 1 album since "Johnny Cash at San Quentin" had topped the national sales chart 37 years earlier.

“American VI” is being described as the final installment in the series that rejuvenated Cash’s career, beginning in 1994 with “American Recordings.” The “American” albums yielded six of the 13 career Grammys awarded to the storied country singer and songwriter.

Cash’s deteriorating health, especially after the death of his wife, June Carter Cash, in May 2003 meant that in terms of the recordings he and Rubin continued to work on, “There was a lot of stopping and starting,” Rubin recalled in a statement issued today. “But he always wanted to work. The doctors in the hospital kind of lectured me, saying, ‘He’s not going to stop, so you have to make sure he doesn’t work too much...’

"Johnny said that recording was his main reason for being alive,” Rubin said. “I think it was the only thing that kept him going."

Bryan Adams lands Juno Awards humanitarian honour

Canadian rocker Bryan Adams, who already has a few Juno Awards under his belt, is set to add another this spring when organizers of the Canadian musical honours will present him with the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award.

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced Adams as the latest recipient of the award in St. John's, N.L., on Wednesday.

The award pays tribute to fundraising and charitable efforts.

"I'm accepting this award in the hope that it will inspire and encourage others to contribute and/or also give back," Adams said in a statement.

The academy hailed the singer for being socially aware and taking part in charitable endeavours from early on in his career, including participating in Amnesty International concerts, Live Aid and Live 8, the annual Prince's Trust Rock Gala in the U.K. and similar events.

In 1985, Adams co-wrote and was among the host of singers who recorded Tears Are Not Enough, the Canadian charity single in support of Ethiopian famine relief. A past campaigner for Greenpeace and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Adams was also the first major Western artist to perform in Pakistan following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Adams's 2006 Karachi concert was held to raise money for victims of the massive October 2005 earthquake that roared through South Asia and devastated the Kashmir region.

Aside from his music, Adams has also established a namesake foundation that supports children's education and has sold his photography to raise money for cancer research.

"Without any fanfare, Bryan's foundation has quietly worked to enrich the lives of children and young people here at home and in the far-flung corners of the globe," said academy president and CEO Melanie Berry.

Academy honours one of its own

Officials also announced on Wednesday the 2010 winner of the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award: Ross Reynolds, longtime Universal Music Canada president as well as a founding board member and former chair of the academy.

In addition to being a music mogul who helped develop the careers of artists from Dan Hill to Lighthouse to The Tragically Hip, he has also served as an adviser, board member or executive at a host of organizations, including the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Canadian Recording Industry Association, the Audio Visual Preservation Trust Fund and Canada's Walk of Fame.

Elected chair of the academy in 2001, Reynolds was part of the group behind the popular idea to move the Juno Awards celebrations to a different Canadian city every year, with St. John's tapped as the inaugural host in 2002.

Adams and Reynolds will be feted during the Juno Awards festivities in St. John's this spring, beginning April 12 and ending with the live broadcast of the 39th annual Juno Awards gala from the Mile One Centre on April 18.

Ivan Reitman to Direct 'Ghostbusters 3'!

Good news, everybody! Whilst doing the press line at the National Board of Review's red carpet event, MTV's Josh Horowitz volleyed a series of Ghostbusters 3 questions off of producer Ivan Reitman and ended up getting a nice chunk of actual news instead of further conjecture. When asked about the script, Ivan confirmed that Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky have already turned in a completed draft for part 3 and that a new draft is currently being worked through, much to the delight of all involved. When asked about a potential start date, Ivan revealed that he hopes to start shooting it within the next year.

With this news it looks like what was once assumed to be Ghostbusters for a new generation is instead a reunion for the principals involved with the first two films. Reitman, of course, produced and directed both the 1984 original and it's 1989 sequel, so it's comforting to know that he is now returning over twenty years later for the new film. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Sigourney Weaver are all, barring some kind of cataclysmic, joy-hating turn of events, returning as well (I haven't seen confirmation on Ernie Hudson). And if that's not good enough news, even Rick Moranis is said to be willing to leave retirement to reprise his role as their accountant, Louis Tully!

Given that it has been twenty years since the last Ghostbusters motion picture (the characters have transferred to a handful of other mediums since then, most notably the recent video game made by Atari), I'm sure that Columbia pictures would like the new film to function as a possible gateway for further films, but with Reitman and friends all coming back for it, we can at least rest assured that it won't solely be a passing of the torch.

Oh, and as far as the Bill Murray as a ghost rumor that Sigourney Weaver started is concerned, Ivan Reitman wouldn't comment other than to say that there are some "very cool things in the new draft."

Piscopo aims to launch Chicago-based late-night show

Former "Saturday Night Live" star and Frank Sinatra impersonator Joe Piscopo will be in town Tuesday talking up the Chicago-based talk show he's trying to launch at The Joynt nightclub in River North.

Called "After Dark With Joe Piscopo," the show is being modeled after the old "Playboy After Dark" series, which featured Hugh Hefner chatting with guests in a party setting.

Piscopo won't be in his pj's, but, producer Jimmy Haimann said, "You have celebrities, sports people, musicians hanging out in a nightclub-lounge atmosphere. Cocktails and martinis will be flowing."

Haimann said the show is in negotiations with a few unnamed celebrities for the pilot, scheduled to shoot next month at a local studio dressed up to resemble The Joynt. (Joynt owner Stan Wozniak, who worked with Sinatra on the road and befriended Piscopo through that connection, is another producer.)

Beyond the pilot, Haimann said, "a major network is interested. There is no deal signed."

Courtney Love defends using 'Hole' name for new album

Courtney Love has defended using the band name Hole for her forthcoming album 'Nobody's Daughter'.

The singer/guitarist recorded the LP with former Larrikin Love guitarist Micko Larkin, but without any of the former Hole members.

Founding member Eric Erlandson said last year that Hole would not be able to exist without his involvement. However, Love said she was persevering with using the moniker.

The last album to come out under the Hole name was 1998's 'Celebrity Skin'. In 2004, Love released the lbum 'America's Sweetheart' under her own name.

"It is Hole, yes of course," she said. "How do I do this? It is just because it is, and it is because we just negotiated our thing and it'll be fine. Everyone has good lawyers."

Love hinted that she and Erlandson may have come to a financial arrangement with regards to the name. "I don't want to slam him Erlandson," she said. "I'm a big sharer. Inside the business I am not known for being a stinge, for sure. I'm not stingy in any way, I give a lot of publishing to everyone."

To read the full interview with Love, make sure you pick up a copy of NME's Albums Of 2010 issue, which hits newsstands across the UK today (January 13).

The special issue features exclusive in-the-studio interviews with the likes of Radiohead, MGMT, MIA, LCD Soundsystem, Vampire Weekend, Klaxons, Babyshambles and much more on this year's essential albums.

Broderick okays 'Bueller' remake

Matthew Broderick has given Hollywood bosses the green light to remake his classic movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but doesn't want any involvement in it.

Rumours have swirled for months suggesting studio chiefs are nursing plans to bring the cult 1980s comedy back to the big screen in either a sequel or a remake.

Broderick has now commented on the reports, insisting he would be "happy" with plans to bring back rebellious teen Ferris, as long as the project is handed to a completely new cast.

He tells Cinematical, "(A remake) would be fine. I would be perfectly happy for somebody to do that. I probably wouldn't enjoy (having a role in the film). I would rather leave what we did as our thing."

Kiefer smiling over new '24' season

PASADENA, Calif. — Kiefer Sutherland was passing a hot tub when he first started to realize Jack Bauer was becoming a cultural icon.

This isn’t a story about steamy, naked girls recognizing Sutherland as Jack Bauer from 24, and calling him over for some wet-and-wild fun. Well, that might have happened, too — if it did, Sutherland left that part out — but it’s more of a family-friendly tale.

“A bunch of people from the crew of 24, we all went skiing in Mammoth,” said Sutherland, recalling an incident from a few years ago. “We were coming around the back of the main lodge, and there was a series of hot tubs.

“This one kid came running from a snow bank and jumped off it, into the hot tub. In the middle of the air he yelled, ‘I’m going to Jack Bauer you’, and splashed.

“We started laughing at that.”

Well, Fox and Global are going to “Jack Bauer you” again this Sunday and Monday, with the debut of the eighth season of 24. As has become tradition, 24 kicks off its new campaign with a four-hour extravaganza, two hours on Sunday and two hours on Monday.

Early in the first episode of the new season, you will see something very unusual, and it has nothing to do with the fact that 24 is set in New York this time around.

We see Jack Bauer smile broadly.

“It felt weird to do it,” admitted Sutherland, who definitely smiles more often than his character. “The only time Jack Bauer smiled — just because it happened so rarely, we noted it — was in Season 3.

“He had finally captured Nina (played by Sarah Clarke) and was flying back with her on the cargo plane and he had her in handcuffs. He looked at her and smiled. And that was about four episodes before he got to shoot her. So this was a different kind of smile.

“But I must say, when we first shot (this season’s smile), it felt awkward for me and I think everybody else involved.”

Whether Jack Bauer will be “not smiling” beyond this season remains to be seen.

Fox has been promoting the eighth season of 24 with the slogan that Jack Bauer has to “survive one more day.” But Sutherland and the show’s producers said such intricacies are the domain of Fox’s marketing department and not too much should be read into it one way or the other.

“I’ve always said that as long as people wanted us to make it, and people were really interested in watching it, I would be interested,” Sutherland said. “There are a lot of components involved. The task of writing it is far greater than the task of acting in it.”

The task of acting it looks pretty tough sometimes, too.

“Our cinematographer and I were sitting at an event for our 150th episode, and they put together a montage from the very beginning through the 150th episode, some behind-the-scenes stuff, and we were laughing and thinking, ‘Oh, how cool all of this is,’ ” recalled Sutherland, 43.

“And then about halfway through the little documentary, they showed some pictures of us from Season 1. We realized that we had aged and we stopped laughing.”

There have to be some advantages, though, to playing Jack Bauer for so long and having people recognize you as such.

“I’ve always been shocked that people who I’m flying with actually say, ‘Oh, I feel safer on the plane,’ ” Sutherland said.

“I’m thinking, ‘You must not watch the show because everybody around me gets killed.’ ”

'Polytechnique' named top Cdn. film

TORONTO - Quebec cinema was the toast of the Toronto Film Critics Association Tuesday as Denis Villeneuve's "Polytechnique" was named best Canadian feature of 2009 and phenom moviemaker Xavier Dolan got a rising artist award.

"At least nobody can accuse us of being Toronto-centric," Brian D. Johnson, TFCA president and film critic for Maclean's, said at the awards gala attended by eminent directors including David Cronenberg and Atom Egoyan.

"Polytechnique," which examines the murderous rampage at Ecole Polytechnique on Dec. 6, 1989, won the $10,000 Rogers Best Canadian Film Award. It was up against another Quebec film, "The Necessities of Life" directed by Benoit Pilon, as well as Bruce McDonald's "Pontypool."

Johnson called "Polytechnique" "a film of astonishing courage," and Villeneuve said it was emotionally taxing to make.

"It was a very long and tough process to do this movie," he said in an interview on the red carpet.

"It was a fantastic, human voyage, but still it was a tough one and it was tough from the first interview until the last day of editing."

Dolan, 20, received the $5,000 inaugural Jay Scott Prize for emerging talent for his smash directorial debut, "I Killed My Mother" ("J'ai tue ma mere"), a semi-autobiographical portrayal of a teen's explosive relationship his single mom, Chantale (Anne Dorval).

Dolan also wrote, produced and starred in the searing drama, which won three awards at the Cannes International Film Festival earlier this year.

Opening Feb. 5 in Toronto, "I Killed My Mother" is now Canada's official entry for consideration for best foreign-language film Oscar - an honour that has Dolan feeling like a bit of a charlatan.

"I somewhat feel like an impostor being a contender aside many other people I admire so much," admitted the curly-haired, bespectacled prodigy, who got his start as a child actor.

"I wonder how it is that I belong there. But if people choose me, I'll be flattered and honoured."

His success, he added, has been "very unexpected."

"All I wanted with the film originally in the first place was to go to Cannes. There was no above-the-line perspective, like, I couldn't think of anything after.

"Beyond Cannes for me, there were like, no possibilities, but then there were many other festivals and things, and it's great."

Egoyan, who presented Dolan with the award that's named after the late Globe and Mail film critic Jay Scott, called "I Killed My Mother" a "remarkable piece of work."

"Jay would've loved this movie," said Egoyan. "It's a film that's raw, it speaks of an experience in a way you feel you've seen before but you've never seen it expressed this way.

"It's just so sincere and breathtakingly assured."

Canadian box office hits record in 2009

TORONTO (Hollywood Reporter) – Harry Potter's broom and Michael Bay's robots helped the Canadian box office soar past CAN$1 billion to reach a new record in 2009, according to data issued on Tuesday.

Canadians paid out CAN$1.01 billion ($970 million) for theater tickets last year, with most of the money going toward studio releases, said the Motion Picture Theater Associations of Canada and Zoom Services.

The Canadian performance mirrors the industry stateside, where a string of studio movie hits and raised ticket prices helped Hollywood find box office gold last year, despite the economic downturn.

Bay's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" was the top-grossing movie in Canada last year with CAN$34.4 million ($33 million) in box office, followed by "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" at CAN$31.5 million ($30.5 million) and "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" at CAN$28 million ($27.2 million).

James Cameron's "Avatar" brought in CAN$27 million ($26.2 million) over the Christmas break at the local multiplex, and continues to generate box office into 2010.

Local movie productions were virtual no-shows at the Canadian multiplex yet again in 2009, with locally-made movies accounting for just under 3% of receipts in 2009. Most of that business came in Quebec, where French-language movies enjoy some protection from Hollywood competition.

Among them, Canadian films -- including Emile Gaudreault's "De pere en flic," Mike Clattenburg's "Trailer Park Boys" and Michael McGowan's "One Week" -- earned CAN$26 million ($25.2 million).

No sequels, spinoffs for `Lost'

PASADENA, Calif. – When ABC's drama "Lost" ends in May, it will definitively end — don't look for any sequels or spinoffs.

The show's producers said Tuesday they've known the final image of the mythologically dense series about Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 since the first season, although Carlton Cuse said the last episode hasn't been written yet. It will air sometime in May.

Cuse and Damon Lindelof were giving away few secrets to the show's rabid fans at a news conference Tuesday, even refraining to show video clips. They said the show's sixth and final season will hearken back to its first, and most popular, season in 2004.

The producers were initially sweating about their two-hour season opener, scheduled for Feb. 2, when they heard President Barack Obama had been considering that night for his State of the Union address. It promises to be a challenging episode; actress Emilie de Ravin said she had to read the script three times before it made any sense.

"Get ready to scratch your heads, America," Lindelof said.

A one-hour recap special, an attempt to get uninitiated or casual viewers as familiar with the story as they can, will precede the opener.

In its lifetime, "Lost" proved that it's possible for a television series to challenge its viewers and pull off production values that rival feature films, said Stephen McPherson, ABC entertainment president.

"It will arguably be one of the most influential shows of the decade, if not of all time," McPherson said.

One secret producers did reveal: actress Cynthia Watros, who played the character Libby before being killed off in the second season, will return this year.

"Finally, all of your questions (about Libby) will be answered," Cuse said.

"No, they will not," Lindelof said.

That's something fans should prepare themselves for overall: not all of the questions raised during the series will be answered. "That would be too pedantic," Cuse said.

They're hoping that final show is something that will be talked about afterward in much the same way as the diner scene that ended "The Sopranos."

"I don't think it would be `Lost' if there wasn't any arguing and active debate among the viewers about whether or not it was a good ending," Lindelof said. "My mom will say it's a good ending, even though she doesn't understand the show."

"Lost" has gone through so many inexplicable twists and turns, and flash-forwards to the future, that one writer wondered whether fans had already seen the ending in a previous episode. Cuse said no.

Actors said filming the series has been an emotional journey.

"I'm going to cry like a baby when this series ends," actress Evangeline Lilly said.

Conan O'Brien says no thanks to NBC move

LOS ANGELES – Conan O'Brien has refused to play along with NBC's plan to move "The Tonight Show" and return Jay Leno to late-night, abruptly derailing the network's effort to resolve its scheduling mess.

O'Brien said in a statement Tuesday that shifting "Tonight" will "seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting," and he expressed disappointment that NBC had given him less than a year to establish himself as host at 11:35 p.m. EST.

O'Brien is in line to make approximately $30 million from NBC if he is replaced on "The Tonight Show" or if the show is canceled, said a source close to the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak about it publicly. However, the source said the sum would not apply just for moving O'Brien to a later time slot.

O'Brien said he doesn't have an offer in hand from another network. Fox, which lacks a network late-night show, has expressed its appreciation for him but said this week that no negotiations have been held.

In his statement, wryly addressed to "People of Earth," the comic knocked his network's prime-time ratings woes, which stem in part from the poor performance of Leno's new prime-time show. "The Jay Leno Show" debuted in the fall after Leno surrendered his 17-year stake in the "Tonight" last spring to O'Brien.

"It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both," O'Brien said.

"But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my 'Tonight Show' in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.

Growing up watching "Tonight" host Johnny Carson and getting the chance to "one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me," and was an opportunity he worked long and hard to obtain, O'Brien said.

"Tonight" has long been the dominant late-night program on television, with O'Brien following in a line of hosts that included Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson and Leno. For many of those years, an appearance on "Tonight," particularly for comics, could make or break a career.

NBC wants to move Leno out of prime-time and to the 11:35 p.m. slot with a half-hour show, bumping "Tonight" to 12:05 a.m. — the latest it's ever regularly aired. The network was under pressure to make a change from its affiliate stations, who found Leno's show an inadequate ratings lead-in for their lucrative local newscasts.

Online, many took to O'Brien's defense and applauded the host's stand against NBC. "Team Conan" was one of the most popular Twitter topics Tuesday afternoon, as young viewers pledged their allegiance to O'Brien.

An O'Brien portrait also circulated as a badge of support. Referring to the "Tonight" show host's playful nickname, it read, "I'm with Coco," and featured a black-and-white picture of a regal-looking O'Brien standing in front of an American flag. The only color: his shock of orange hair.

It doesn't make sense for NBC to try and hold him to a contract, said John Rash, a media analyst for the Chicago advertising firm Campbell & Mithun.

"An unhappy comedian is not a good premise for a program," Rash said.

Jody Simon, an entertainment lawyer with Peter Rubin & Simon, said it's very likely that O'Brien and NBC will reach some sort of settlement that might require him to refrain from working at another late-night show for a certain time.

He expected O'Brien will not boycott his show, despite the expressed desire to quit.

"Until this is settled, I would be surprised if he said he wasn't going to show up for work," Simon said. "It would be unprofessional and would expose him to liability."

The late-night shuffle has played out amid wide speculation that O'Brien might bolt for Fox. And the network's top entertainment executive, Kevin Reilly, said on Monday, "I love Conan personally and professionally."

Fox has had trouble launching late-night shows in the past, with Chevy Chase and Joan Rivers as notable failures. O'Brien offers the advantage of being a proven performer with a team experienced in putting on a show.

"Certainly Conan has a loyal audience and he's been able to effectively position himself as a victim of NBC's schedule shuffle," said Rash, who added that the tone of O'Brien's show seems to fit Fox's brand better than it does NBC's.

ABC's top entertainment executive, Stephen McPherson, said his network had no interest in O'Brien. ABC would have sought Leno if he hit the open market, but its executives believe that O'Brien's show is so close in tone to Letterman's that it wouldn't be good competition.

Fox declined comment Tuesday on O'Brien's statement, but it is taking action that would indicate the network is seriously considering bringing him to late-night, a period now largely filled by a variety of syndicated fare that includes network reruns.

Fox is asking some of its stations to study and report back on how much money is made with current late-night programming, according to a person familiar with the request. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to publicly discuss the request.

The syndication agreements that are in place are a costly sticking point if Fox wants to put in a late-night show across the network, the person said.

It might not be easy for affiliate stations to break profitable syndication agreements, said analyst Rash.

NBC announced the "Tonight Show" succession plan in 2004, well before Leno's departure, to try to avoid the Leno-David Letterman battle that ensued when Carson retired. (On his CBS "Late Show" Tuesday, Letterman joked that he received a call from NBC with the message, "Look, look, we still don't want you back.'") But it didn't count on Leno remaining atop the late-night ratings when he was pushed out of "Tonight."

To keep Leno from becoming a late-night competitor to O'Brien at another network, NBC offered him the daily 10 p.m. EST prime-time series. The network also saw it as an opportunity for cost-cutting, with a talk show considerably cheaper to produce than the scripted dramas that typically fill the final hour of prime-time.

"Tonight" with O'Brien is averaging 2.5 million nightly viewers, compared with 4.2 for Letterman's "Late Show," according to Nielsen figures. And the younger audience that O'Brien was expected to woo has been largely unimpressed; O'Brien and Letterman tie among advertiser-favored viewers ages 18 to 49.

Leno was drawing around 5 million viewers to "Tonight," about the same number now watching his new show.

O'Brien said he hoped that he and NBC could resolve the issue quickly so he could do a show of which he and his crew could be proud — "for a company that values our work" — raising the possibility he might go to another network.

NBC declined comment Tuesday, adding that O'Brien was scheduled to do his show Tuesday night. Leno also declined comment.

For O'Brien, it's been a stark contrast to early in his career, when he was an unknown replacing David Letterman in the 12:30 a.m. slot. He suffered brutal reviews, tough ratings and was working on a week-to-week contract. But NBC's management then stuck with him, and he blossomed into a proven performer.

The network had been counting on O'Brien's cooperation, and wanted an answer quickly, so it could get the revamped schedule ready to begin airing after NBC broadcasts the Winter Olympics, which will dominate NBC's schedule from Feb. 12-28.

O'Brien noted in his statement that he'd received sympathy calls and added that no one should feel sorry for him because he's been "absurdly lucky" to do what he loves most in a world with real problems.

He ended the statement with a punch line: "Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it's always been that way."

Bill Lawrence, executive producer of ABC's "Scrubs" and "Cougar Town," said he was impressed by O'Brien's letter.

"I'm sure it's going to lead to good things for him," he said.

2 of 3 Dixie Chicks Returning With New Music

Two members of the Dixie Chicks - minus lead singer Natalie Maines - are preparing to release a new album this year.

According to CMT.com, sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Robison are working on a project to be released on Columbia Records.

However, Lloyd Maines, Natalie's father, tells CMT.com that the three girls are "definitely still an entity." He says the sisters are "cutting some demos" and that Natalie recorded "a little something with them" about a year ago.

The Associated Press' attempts to contact their publicist and Columbia Records were unsuccessful.

The Dixie Chicks suffered a backlash from fans and country radio over comments Natalie Maines made about President George W. Bush in 2003. The Chicks released their last album in 2006, called "Taking the Long Way."

The group has won 13 Grammys and was named the CMA entertainer of the year in 2000.

Robert Zemeckis finds Beatles for 'Yellow Submarine'

It's "all together now" for the cast of Robert Zemeckis' upcoming Beatles feature.

Cary Elwes, Dean Lennox Kelly, Peter Serafinowicz and Adam Campbell are in negotiations to portray the members of the band in "Yellow Submarine," which the director is remaking for Disney.

The original 1968 animated movie was based on the music by the Beatles and featured a storyline wherein a soldier called Old Fred meets up with the Beatles and travels in a yellow submersible to Pepperland. Among the group's encounters are the music-hating Blue Meanies.

As with his recently released "A Christmas Carol," Zemeckis is making the movie using 3D performance-capture technology. The helmer, who also wrote the screenplay, is producing with his Imagemovers Digital partners Jack Rapke and Steve Starkey.

The Beatles tribute band the Fab Four will be motion-captured as the ensemble for the musical performance sequences though -- since actual Beatles music will be utilized (licensed from Sony/ATV and EMI-Capitol Records) -- they won't actually be performing the 16 songs used in the movie.

Kelly, a British actor who is currently on the BBC's "Robin Hood" series, is portraying John Lennon.

Serafinowicz, repped by UTA and Troika in the U.K. and Principato/Young, appeared in "Shaun of the Dead" and in "Couples Retreat." He plays Paul McCartney.

Elwes, who worked with Zemeckis on "A Christmas Carol" and is in the upcoming "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn," will play George Harrison. Elwes is repped by APA and Kritzer Levine Wilkins Griffin Entertainment.

Campbell will be Ringo Starr. His credits include "Epic Movie" and "Date Movie," and he will be seen on NBC's miniseries "Day One." He is repped by ICM and United Agents in the U.K.

'Up,' `The Hurt Locker' top Golden Tomato Awards

LOS ANGELES – An animated adventure about a widower who sails away in a house lifted by a bouquet of balloons and an up-close look at a bomb-squad unit in Iraq were the top critical favorites of 2009. Now "Up" and "The Hurt Locker" are top winners at the Golden Tomato Awards.

The awards honor the best-reviewed films of the year as determined by the Web site RottenTomatoes.com, which compiles reviews from critics to measure the percentage of favorable critiques.

Pixar's "Up" collected positive reviews from 98 percent of critics, earning it the Golden Tomato for a film in wide release. "The Hurt Locker" was the best-reviewed limited release film, with 97 percent of critics recommending it.

"Up" is the sixth Pixar film to rank above all others. "WALL-E" won the Golden Tomato in 2008 and "Ratatouille" took the title in 2007.

"Every year since we started doing this award, if they've got a movie, they win," said Rotten Tomatoes Editor-in-Chief Matt Atchity. "They just consistently turn out really good quality movies."

While there's no direct relationship between the Golden Tomatoes and the Academy Awards, Atchity says "Up" and "The Hurt Locker" are both likely to earn Oscar attention this year.

"The Golden Tomato winners don't necessarily win the Oscar but they usually do show up in the nominees," he said, adding that he expects both to earn best-picture nominations.

The Moldy Tomato Award, for the year's worst-reviewed film, went to "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li." Only four percent of critics gave it a positive review.

'Spider-Man 4' delayed; Maguire, Raimi out

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tobey Maguire is out as Peter Parker and Sam Raimi won't be returning as director when Spider-Man 4 hits theaters a year late in 2012.

Sony Pictures said in a statement Monday that the movie was supposed to hit theaters in 2011 but has not yet gone into production amid rumors of trouble on the set.

Raimi said his work on the previous Spider-Man films was the experience of a lifetime, but acknowledged the studio was heading in a "new direction."

Sony said it would have more news about Spider-Man 4 in coming weeks.

The new movie will be based on a script by James Vanderbilt that focuses on Peter Parker in high school.

Mark McGwire admits using steroids

NEW YORK – Mark McGwire finally came clean, admitting he used steroids when he broke baseball's home run record in 1998. McGwire said in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Monday that he used steroids on and off for nearly a decade. During a 20-minute telephone interview shortly afterward, his voice repeatedly cracked.

"It's very emotional, it's telling family members, friends and coaches, you know, it's former teammates to try to get ahold of, you know, that I'm coming clean and being honest," he said. "It's the first time they've ever heard me, you know, talk about this. I hid it from everybody."

McGwire said he also used human growth hormone, and he didn't know if his use of performance-enhancing drugs contributed to some of the injuries that led to his retirement, at age 38, in 2001.

"That's a good question," he said.

He repeatedly expressed regret for his decision to use steroids, which he said was "foolish" and caused by his desire to overcome injuries, get back on the field and prove he was worth his multimillion salary.

"You don't know that you'll ever have to talk about the skeleton in your closet on a national level," he said. "I did this for health purposes. There's no way I did this for any type of strength use."

McGwire hit a then-record 70 homers in 1998 during a compelling race with Sammy Sosa, who finished with 66. More than anything else, the home-run spree revitalized baseball following the crippling strike that wiped out the 1994 World Series.

Now that McGwire has come clean, increased glare might fall on Sosa, who has denied using performing-enhancing drugs.

"I wish I had never played during the steroid era," McGwire said.

McGwire's decision to admit using steroids was prompted by his decision to become hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals, his final big league team. Tony La Russa, McGwire's manager in Oakland and St. Louis, has been among McGwire's biggest supporters and thinks returning to the field can restore the former slugger's reputation.

"I never knew when, but I always knew this day would come," McGwire said. "It's time for me to talk about the past and to confirm what people have suspected."

He became the second major baseball star in less than a year to admit using illegal steroids, following the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez last February.

Others have been tainted but have denied knowingly using illegal drugs, including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and David Ortiz.

Bonds has been indicted on charges he made false statements to a federal grand jury and obstructed justice. Clemens is under investigation by a federal grand jury trying to determine whether he lied to a congressional committee.

"I'm sure people will wonder if I could have hit all those home runs had I never taken steroids," McGwire said. "I had good years when I didn't take any, and I had bad years when I didn't take any. I had good years when I took steroids, and I had bad years when I took steroids. But no matter what, I shouldn't have done it and for that I'm truly sorry."

Big Mac's reputation has been in tatters since March 17, 2005, when he refused to answer questions at a Congressional hearing. Instead, he repeatedly said "I'm not here to talk about the past" when asked whether he took illegal steroids when he hit a then-record 70 home runs in 1998 or at any other time.

"After all this time, I want to come clean," he said. "I was not in a position to do that five years ago in my congressional testimony, but now I feel an obligation to discuss this and to answer questions about it. I'll do that, and then I just want to help my team."

McGwire said he wanted to tell the truth then but evaded questions at that hearing on the advice of his lawyers.

"That was the worst 48 hours of my life," McGwire said.

La Russa immediately praised McGwire's decision to go public.

"His willingness to admit mistakes, express his regret, and explain the circumstances that led him to use steroids add to my respect for him," the manager said.

McGwire disappeared from the public eye following his retirement as a player following the 2001 season. When the Cardinals hired the 47-year-old as coach on Oct. 26, they said he would address questions before spring training, and Monday's statement broke his silence.

"I remember trying steroids very briefly in the 1989/1990 offseason and then after I was injured in 1993, I used steroids again," McGwire said in his statement. "I used them on occasion throughout the '90s, including during the 1998 season."

McGwire said he took steroids to get back on the field, sounding much like the Yankees' Andy Pettitte two years ago when he admitted using HGH.

"During the mid-'90s, I went on the DL seven times and missed 228 games over five years," McGwire said. "I experienced a lot of injuries, including a ribcage strain, a torn left heel muscle, a stress fracture of the left heel, and a torn right heel muscle. It was definitely a miserable bunch of years, and I told myself that steroids could help me recover faster. I thought they would help me heal and prevent injuries, too."

Since the congressional hearing, baseball owners and players toughened their drug program twice, increasing the penalty for a first steroids offense from 10 days to 50 games in November 2005 and strengthening the power of the independent administrator in April 2008, following the publication of the Mitchell Report.

"Baseball is really different now — it's been cleaned up," McGwire said. "The commissioner and the players' association implemented testing and they cracked down, and I'm glad they did."

GI Joe Sequel Scripted by Zombieland Writers?

Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are about to become extremely busy men.

After the writing tandem behind Zombieland was recently confirmed to be penning the Deadpool X-Men spin-off films, their names have now been attached to another high (geek) profile project.

According to Collider, Reese and Wernick have been hired by Paramount to script the sequel to GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra. They were not involved with the first film and there is no confirmation of this news or, if true, when they might be fitting this project into their busy schedule.

Rise of Cobra's director Stephen Sommers has publicly declared interest in working on GI Joe 2 but his name has yet to be attached.

Doctor Zhivago Blu-ray Announced

Warner Home Video has set a May 4 date for the release of 'Doctor Zhivago: 45th Anniversary Edition '. The Blu-ray of this David Lean movie will come in a Digibook with a 44-page booklet, and will also exclusively include a CD sampler with eight selections from the soundtrack that won Maurice Jarre his second Oscar.

Special features include:
- Doctor Zhivago: A Celebration (all-new production
- Commentary by Omar Sharif, Rod Steiger and Lady Sandra Lean (wife of David Lean)
- Introduction by Omar Sharif
- Doctor Zhivago: The Making of a Russian Epic
- Vintage Featurettes
- Zhivago: Behind the Camera with David Lean
- David Lean's Film of Doctor Zhivago
- Moscow in Madrid
- Pasternak
- New York Press Interviews Omar Sharif
- New York Press Interviews Julie Christie
- Geraldine Chaplin Screen Test
- This is Omar Sharif
- This is Julie Christie
- This is Geraldine Chaplin
- Chaplin in New York
- Trailer

“We're very excited about this meticulous new restoration from Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging and, in particular, how incredible Doctor Zhivago will look on Blu-ray,” said George Feltenstein, WHV's Senior Vice President, Theatrical Catalog Marketing. “The qualities that have kept the film so vital and popular all these years – the sweeping love story, the gorgeous vistas and unforgettable imagery – are all dramatically enhanced through the unprecedented technical capabilities of Blu-ray. The result is not only breathtakingly beautiful to look at but also provides a magnificent aural experience with Zhivago's highly-lauded sound mix presented with unprecedented clarity and dimension.”

WHV had stopped sales of the previous DVD edition of this movie in September 7 in preparation of this new release.

Report: Hopper losing battle with cancer

Acting legend Dennis Hopper is losing his battle with prostate cancer after the deadly disease spread to his bones, according to a British report.

The Easy Rider veteran revealed his struggle with the illness in October, after he was admitted to hospital suffering from "severe flu-like symptoms."

He immediately underwent treatment at the University of Southern California, but doctors admit hopes for the 73-year-old are fading after the cancer spread, according to Britain's News of the World newspaper.

According to the publication, medics have informed Hopper - who has battled the disease since 2002 - that his cancer is incurable and that he may be facing his final days.

JJ Abrams’ Star Trek sequel has a release date

Here's some welcome news to kick off the week. Given that many of us have now devoured the film numerous times on disc, questions have inevitably been raised about when we can expect to see Star Trek 2/12/whatever you want to call it. And it seems that Paramount Pictures has now answered that question.

The studio has earmarked June 29th 2012 as the day for the next Star Trek movie, making first claim on that summer's big release dates. There was early speculation that a sequel may be turned around in two years rather than three (the former being the pattern that the Iron Man and Transformers films appear to be following), but it soon became clear that that would be a fairly big ask.

As such, we've got to wait another couple of years yet, but at least we know what date to ring in our diaries.

Slash turned down millions to reunite with Guns N' Roses

The original lineup of Guns N' Roses will "never" reform, Slash has declared, claiming that he turned down offers of hundreds of millions of dollars to reunite with Axl Rose. "It's sad that something so good doesn't exist any more, even though we're both still alive and on the same planet," he said.

Axl Rose might claim he doesn't need Slash. After all, Guns N' Roses still exist – more than a decade in the making, Chinese Democracy was released in 2008. But the band's sixth LP was more whimper than bang, and the group haven't undertaken a major tour in years. Wrestling with his management and copyright infringement claims, Axl Rose's hard-rock gang don't exactly seem like the biggest band in the world.

Slash isn't doing much better. His band, Velvet Revolver, lacks a singer, and his forthcoming solo album will be released, at least in part, as a free attachment with Classic Rock magazine. Plus, Jack White turned down an invitation to sing on one of his songs. Yet the guitarist still thinks that there "[isn't] ever a chance of a [Guns N' Roses] reunion".

"Things were so abrasive by the time I left," he told GQ. "I've never thought, 'Oh, wouldn't it be nice to get back together'. Because I know it wouldn't!" The lineup's last tour, in 1993, was "an ongoing exercise in how we could bond the least", Slash said. "It just got worse and worse." As Axl Rose remarked last year: "One of the two of us will die before a reunion." The two musicians have reportedly not spoken in 13 years.

Then again, if they do decide to reunite, the money would certainly be worthwhile. "I can't remember exact numbers, but [the offers have been] excessive," Slash told GQ. "Seven, eight-digit kinds of things." Asked directly if the amount was higher than $100m (£62m), Slash admitted, "Yeah".

"When we were on stage we were a real force together," he said. "But it got to a point off stage where it was impossible for us to even be in the same room together and create any music."

DVD in awards season could be the trigger for 'The Hurt Locker'

The Hurt Locker is getting ready to redeploy.

The film about a renegade member of a bomb squad in Iraq opened in June to near unanimous critical acclaim. But it earned a not-so-whopping $12.7 million at the box office.

Still, though audiences seemed unwilling to trust the 97% positive rating from film review site RottenTomatoes.com, the awards season may help The Hurt Locker turn a corner in the fight for moviegoers.

The film is still playing on a handful of screens, but its potential for discovery now rests on its DVD and Blu-ray debut Tuesday and the momentum of Sunday's Golden Globes, where it is up for three prizes, including best drama.

Oscar nominations are announced Feb. 2, and The Hurt Locker is expected to fare well after earning numerous critics' awards and guild nominations.

Releasing it on home video now allows the film to ride a wave of attention cast by Hollywood's backslapping season.

"We were obviously very, very hopeful we would get the award recognition that critics were talking about when we released the movie back in June," says Rob Friedman, co-chairman and CEO of Summit Entertainment, which distributed The Hurt Locker. "It was definitely something we hoped for. You can never anticipate, but you can plan."

The awards race has long been a marketing tool for prestige films, which is why many open in theaters late in the year with hopes of generating ticket sales while amassing honors.

Making a DVD available during awards season may be particularly smart for more intimate, sophisticated fare that doesn't have the bombast that typically drives blockbusters, says Paul Bond, West Coast business editor for The Hollywood Reporter.

"Adults have less time on their hands, they're more conscious about money, they're less interested in the social aspect of moviegoing than high school and college kids are," Bond says. "It's no surprise they're willing to wait for the DVD release to see a film they're interested in. And adults are interested in The Hurt Locker."

Though it will be many months before Avatar or Up in the Air arrive on home video, other films such as Julie & Julia, Inglourious Basterds and District 9 were on DVD last month.

In those cases, they opened strongly in theaters and were trying to capture the holiday gift-buying crowd. But now they have another wave, thanks to their respective award campaigns.

"We try to determine the appropriate date, and we have a lot of flexibility there, so with District 9 and Julie & Julia, we knew they had awards potential and releasing at the holiday would be ideal, but also we would capture the timing of the Golden Globe nominations and the Academy (Award) nominations," says Lexine Wong, senior executive vice president of marketing for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Smaller films waited out the holiday crush rather than risk being overshadowed and instead based their release solely on awards season.

That's why you'll see the Coen brothers' A Serious Man on Feb. 9, An Education announcing its DVD debut around the Oscars, and The Hurt Locker out now. "It's a good time post-Christmas for titles that are a little less well-known than the big behemoths coming out in November and December," says Summit's Friedman.

With that in mind, the literary romance Bright Star is due Jan. 26. Says Sony's Wong: "If you wait until January, you can still capture awards buzz, but you get out of the way of the other stuff, and you get more attention."

But what if you don't get the nominations?

"If you're assuming you'll get that nomination, and then you're not nominated," Bond says, "you'll be sorely disappointed."

John Malkovich Confirms He'll Play Spider-Man 4's Vulture

I won't blame you if you've lost track of the Spider-Man 4 rumor mill by now. After hearing rumors about Rachel McAdams playing Black Cat and Anne Hathaway playing Vultress and production getting delayed and then production actually being delayed, it's hard to know anything certain about the project beyond the fact that Sam Raimi and a handful of Sony executives are probably glaring at each other across a conference room table as we speak.

But into the void steps John Malkovich, who has been rumored for months to be Raimi's choice to play The Vulture, the primary villain for this installment of the saga (but, if Sony has their way, not the only villain). According to Bad Taste, Malkovich was over in Italy on a TV sports show (???) and confirmed that he's on board the film, and is waiting for the final script to be sent along. Easier said than done, of course, given that the script is what the studio and the director are battling over right now. But it's good to know that Malkovich is willing to wait it out, and no matter what else goes wrong with Spider-Man 4, we'll at least be continuing the tradition of great villains.

'Avatar' remains in orbit with $48.5M weekend

LOS ANGELES – James Cameron's "Avatar" continues to race up the box office charts, remaining No. 1 domestically for the fourth straight weekend with $48.5 million and placing second among all-time top-grossing films worldwide.

The science-fiction saga from 20th Century Fox added $143 million overseas to raise its international haul to $906 million. With $429 million domestically, "Avatar" has pulled in $1.34 billion worldwide, behind only Cameron's "Titanic," which took in $1.8 billion.

In just 24 days, "Avatar" shot past the $402.1 million domestic total of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" to become the No. 1 release of 2009. Cameron's tale of humans and aliens in conflict on a distant world now stands at No. 6 on the all-time domestic chart.

The film has just over $100 million to go to pass the No. 2 domestic hit, "The Dark Knight" at $533.3 million.

"I think we'll get there very soon," said Bert Livingston, 20th Century Fox distribution executive. "I believe anything is possible with this picture. Nothing would surprise me. There's a still a long way to go, and it's going to keep on playing and playing."

The No. 2 and No. 3 box office draws remained unchanged from the previous weekend, with the Warner Bros. hit "Sherlock Holmes" in second place at $16.6 million and 20th Century Fox's "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" in third at $16.3 million. "Sherlock Holmes" raised its domestic take to $165.2 million, and "Alvin and the Chipmunks" lifted its total to $178.2 million.

Among new movies, Lionsgate's vampire thriller "Daybreakers" had the best premiere, coming in at No. 4 with $15 million. "Daybreakers" stars Ethan Hawke as a reluctant vampire racing to find a substitute for human blood in a world overrun by the undead in the near future.

Universal's romantic comedy "Leap Year" opened at No. 5 with $9.2 million. The movie stars Amy Adams as a woman who finds love in an unexpected place as she chases across Ireland to propose to her boyfriend.

The Weinstein Co. comedy "Youth in Revolt," debuted at No. 9 with $7 million. The film features Michael Cera as a teen going to extremes to win the heart of his dream girl.

"Avatar" had the best fourth weekend ever for a film, easily surpassing the previous high of $28.7 million for "Titanic," which dominated the box office for nearly four months.

The coming weekend likely will be another big one for "Avatar," with many people off next Monday for Martin Luther King Day.

Hollywood's box office roll has lingered in 2010. Overall domestic revenues came in at $156 million, up 6.6 percent from the same weekend last year, when "Gran Torino" led with $29.5 million, according to box office tracker Hollywood.com.

It was the eight-straight weekend of rising ticket sales.

"The winning streak just continues," said Paul Dergarabedian, box office analyst for Hollywood.com. "The momentum of 2009 is just carrying over into 2010."

Hollywood put up record revenue of $10.6 billion domestically in 2009, easily surpassing the previous high of $9.7 billion in 2007.

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

1. "Avatar," $48.5 million.
2. "Sherlock Holmes," $16.6 million.
3. "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," $16.3 million.
4. "Daybreakers," $15 million.
5. "It's Complicated," $11 million.
6. "Leap Year," $9.2 million.
7. "The Blind Side," $7.8 million.
8. "Up in the Air," $7.1 million.
9. "Youth in Revolt," $7 million.
10. "The Princess and the Frog," $4.7 million.

Kids comeback

TORONTO - Of all the Kids in the Hall fans who have been waiting for the beloved comedy troupe to return to series television, perhaps none has been as eager as group member Scott Thompson.

The quintet brings their absurdist comic mystery, "Death Comes to Town," to CBC-TV on Tuesday, and the funnyman says if it were up to him it would have come years earlier. He says his own professional pursuits sputtered after the Kids retired their CBC sketch comedy show in 1994 and that his stage career virtually imploded in 2001 when he sunk all his money into an ill-timed show about terrorism in New York City.

Thompson says it was the Kids' well-received reunion tour in 2008 that reignited the creative juices of the group, inspiring them to brainstorm an eight-part miniseries about a codpiece-wearing demon who arrives in a quirky Ontario town to collect a few souls.

"This show has been the panacea for all five of us.... for me, it's definitely what I've been waiting for," Thompson says in a recent interview, adding that he long wished for a TV reunion - "probably since '96," he jokes.

Thompson says he had hit "rock bottom" by the time Mark McKinney, Kevin McDonald, Dave Foley and Bruce McCulloch agreed to regroup, but he was dealt another blow just as the revered comics began work on new material - cancer.

He was diagnosed last March with non-Hodgkin's gastric lymphoma, an aggressive form of stomach cancer, and told it was inoperable.

"We were getting ready to write the first drafts of the series and I got thrown overboard by my diagnosis," says Thompson, who was living in L.A. at the time.

"It completely threw me so I had to come home (to Toronto)."

Thompson says he underwent six bouts of chemotherapy and was determined to get well enough to shoot the miniseries before summer was over.

"For me, it was that light in the darkness for all those months," says Thompson, whose characters on the show include ditsy meteorologist Heather Weather, Dusty the coroner and Crim, the hand sanitizer-sniffing town ne'er-do-well.

"I just kept focusing on it and going, 'I have to be well enough to shoot this series. First of all, I can't die - that's not going to be good. And I'm not giving these parts to Mark and Dave, forget it."'

The irony of working on a series about death was not lost on anyone, adds Thompson.

"I got pretty sick and I couldn't really participate for a certain period," he notes. "In the writers' room they just set up a bed for me - they put a mattress on the floor and whenever I would feel well enough to join in I would and then if I was going to vomit I'd go outside, have some medical marijuana, and come back in."

Shooting was postponed so that Thompson could complete his chemotherapy before appearing in front of the cameras. He wrapped up the rigorous treatments on Aug. 1 of last year and was shooting the series in North Bay, Ont., by Aug. 15.

"They were amazing," Thompson says of his comedy partners. "They treated me like nothing was different, they mocked me ruthlessly, made fun of my cancer and it's what I needed."

Two days after the seven-week shoot ended, Thompson began a four-month stint of radiation. He says he's now cancer-free.

McKinney, who largely appears half-naked in his role as the surly, single-toothed Death, says the reunion was so much fun there's talk of more collaborations. In the meantime, negotiations are ongoing to land a broadcast deal for "Death Comes to Town" in the United States.

Of all the Kids, he and Foley have arguably maintained the strongest public profile since the group left television roughly 15 years ago. McKinney built a successful career as a writer on critically acclaimed series including NBC's shortlived "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," the defunct Canadian drama "Slings and Arrows," and the dark comedy "Less Than Kind," which begins a second season on HBO Canada next month.

Foley went on to a steady stream of TV and film gigs, including a starring role in the NBC sitcom "NewsRadio," recurring guest spots on big-network shows "Will and Grace," "Scrubs" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine," and voiceover work including 1998's "A Bug's Life."

McCulloch moved on to feature film directing, helming Molly Shannon's comedy "Superstar" in 1999 and the Tom Green farce "Stealing Harvard" in 2002, and later creating and writing the shortlived ABC sitcom, "Carpoolers" in 2007. McDonald's string of character roles included stints on "That '70s Show" and "Less Than Kind," and he recently toured a one-man show, "Hammy and the Kids."

Interspersed were various shortlived Kids reunions that included the poorly received 1996 film "Brain Candy" and three tours in the last 10 years. Thompson says group members - notoriously fractious when they were together - stayed close even as each went in different directions, with Thompson increasingly eager to try a TV comeback.

"The first few years (after the sketch show ended) I was convinced that the rest of my career would just be an ongoing slope up. And then the slope ended and there was a precipitous drop," says Thompson, whose post-Kids days included recurring roles on "The Larry Sanders Show" in 1998, "Providence" in 2001, and "Carpoolers" in 2007.

"And then, as I was dropping, about halfway to the bottom I went, 'Geez, maybe it'd be good if the Kids in the Hall did something more in television.' And then I hit rock bottom. And then I woke up and the next thing I knew, it was happening."

Hardly kids anymore, the offbeat comics appear thicker around the middle and greying on top, but a glimpse at the new series reveals the same ludicrous sensibility that earned them a cult-like following. Characters on the half-hour show include McCulloch's Ricky, a 600-pound, shamed hockey player; McDonald's Marnie, a senile pizza delivery lady; and Foley's kindly Doc Porterhouse, who offers a free kitten with every abortion procedure.

Looking back on the past year, Thompson calls it both the best and the worst of his life. But after overcoming devastating health and career woes he says he feels invigorated and excited by the future, and especially proud of returning to the spotlight with his comedy "brothers."

"I'm so excited, I'm so happy," Thompson says. "Imagine - I'm alive, I'm cancer free and I'm on the verge of a comeback."

"Death Comes to Town" debuts on CBC-TV on Tuesday.

Leno to leave prime-time

PASADENA, Calif (AP) — NBC decided to end the Jay Leno experiment when some of its affiliates started talking about dropping the nightly prime-time show, its top entertainment executive said Sunday.

NBC Universal Television Entertainment Chairman Jeff Gaspin said Sunday that Leno’s nightly prime-time show will end with the beginning of the Winter Olympics on Feb. 12. NBC wants Leno to do an 11:35 p.m. show each night, a return to his old time slot, Gaspin said.

Gaspin said despite lower ratings for NBC at 10 p.m. compared with last year, the network was making money off the show.

But affiliates were upset that the show was leading fewer viewers into their late news programs, costing them significant advertising revenue. Some affiliates told NBC in December they would go public soon about their complaints if a change wasn’t made, or even take Leno’s show off the air.

“The drumbeat started getting louder,” Gaspin said.

Gaspin has proposed moving Conan O’Brien’s “Tonight” show to 12:05 a.m., and Jimmy Fallon’s show would start an hour later. But the late-night hosts had not agreed to the move. Gaspin said he expected NBC’s late-night situation to be cleared up by the start of the Olympics.

Asked if O’Brien and Fallon expressed anger at his proposal, Gaspin said both men were professional and understanding when they talked.

“Beyond that, it was a private conversation,” Gaspin said.

Art Clokey dies at 88; creator of Gumby

Art Clokey, the creator of the whimsical clay figure Gumby, died in his sleep Friday at his home in Los Osos, Calif., after battling repeated bladder infections, his son Joseph said. He was 88.

Clokey and his wife, Ruth, invented Gumby in the early 1950s at their Covina home shortly after Art had finished film school at USC. After a successful debut on "The Howdy Doody Show," Gumby soon became the star of its own hit television show, "The Adventures of Gumby," the first to use clay animation on television.

After an initial run in the 1950s, Gumby enjoyed comebacks in the 1960s as a bendable children's toy, in the 1980s after comedian Eddie Murphy parodied the kindly Gumby as a crass, cigar-in-the-mouth character in a skit for "Saturday Night Live" and again in the '90s with the release of "Gumby the Movie."

Today, Gumby is a cultural icon recognized around the world. It has more than 134,000 fans on Facebook.

As successive generations discovered the curious green character, Gumby’s success came to define Clokey's life, with its theme song reflecting Clokey's simple message of love: "If you've got a heart, then Gumby's a part of you."

"The fact is that most people don't know his name, but everybody knows Gumby," said friend and animator David Scheve. "To have your life work touch so many people around the world is an amazing thing."

Clokey was born Arthur Farrington in Detroit in October 1921 and grew up making mud figures on his grandparents' Michigan farm. "He always had this in him," his son, Joseph, recalled Friday.

At age 8, Clokey's life took a tragic turn when his father was killed in a car accident soon after his parents divorced. The unusual shape of Gumby's head would eventually be modeled after one of the few surviving photos of Clokey's father, which shows him with a large wave of hair protruding from the right side of his head.

After moving to California, Clokey was abandoned by his mother and her new husband and lived in a halfway house near Hollywood until age 11, when he was adopted by Joseph W. Clokey. The renowned music teacher and composer at Pomona College taught him to draw, paint and shoot film and took him on journeys to Mexico and Canada.

Art Clokey attended the Webb School in Claremont, whose annual fossil hunting expeditions also inspired a taste for adventure that stayed with him. "That's why 'The Adventures of Gumby' were so adventurous," his son said.

Clokey served in World War II, conducting photo reconnaissance over North Africa and France. Back in Hartford, Conn., after the war, he was studying to be an Episcopal minister when he met Ruth Parkander, the daughter of a minister. The two married and moved to California to pursue their true passion: filmmaking.

During the day, the Clokeys taught at the Harvard School for Boys in Studio City, now Harvard-Westlake. At night, Art Clokey studied film at USC under Slavko Vorkapich, a pioneer of modern montage techniques.

Clokey's 1953 experimental film, "Gumbasia," used stop-motion clay animation set to a lively jazz tempo. It became the inspiration for the subsequent Gumby TV show when Sam Engel, the president of 20th Century Fox and father of one of Clokey's students, saw the film and asked Clokey to produce a children's television show based on the idea.

In the 1960s, Clokey created and produced the Christian TV series "Davey and Goliath" and the credits for several feature films, including "How to Stuff a Wild Bikini."

Gumby's ability to enchant generations of children and adults had a mystical quality to it, said his son, and reflected his father's spiritual quest. In the 1970s, Clokey studied Zen Buddhism, traveled to India to study with gurus and experimented with LSD and other drugs, though all of that came long after the creation of Gumby, his son said.

His second wife, Gloria, whom he married in 1976, was art director on Gumby projects in the 1980s and '90s. She died in 1998.

Besides his son Joseph, Clokey is survived by his stepdaughter, Holly Harman of Mendocino County; three grandchildren, Shasta, Sequoia and Sage Clokey; his sister, Arlene Cline of Phoenix; and his half-sister, Patricia Anderson of Atlanta.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Gumby's name to the Natural Resources Defense Council, of which Art Clokey was a longtime member.

"Gumby was green because my dad cared about the environment," his son said.

The Couch Potato Report - January 9th, 2010

This week The Couch Potato Report peels six new releases and ten things I hate about you.

Up first this week is the Box Set for THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON of the made-in-Indian Head, Saskatchewan CBC Series LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE.

In this third season, Amaar finally discovers whether Rayyan accepted JJ’s marriage proposal and the season primarily follows that answer, in addition to offering stories featuring the fictional town of Mercy, Saskatchewan’s unique cast of characters.

I have always thought that LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE works best when it is educational and informative, as well as entertaining and in SEASON THREE it continues to do allows viewers to learn more about Muslims and their beliefs and faith.

This season of LITTLE MOSQUE also has figs, dates, double dates, blind dates, blind men and in-laws…so, if you are a fan, don’t miss this three disc set!

As you may know, I have been spending some time over the past few weeks, and will continue to spend some time over the new few weeks, doing the weather on CBC Television’s Supper Hour News Show – CBC News: Saskatchewan at 5 pm, 5:30 pm, and 6 pm.

Since I started, I have been dying to give a forecast that includes the name of this next film…but haven’t been able to work it in…not yet anyway.

So, this morning, I hope you don’t mind if I pretend that I am doing the weather, as I talk about this next film…here goes.

Temperatures have been well below seasonal averages here in Western Canada over the past few days, but things are looking up! This morning’s forecast is CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS!

:)

That was fun…okay, back to the movie review… CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS is a fun animated film for the whole family that is loosely based on the children's book of the same name by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett.
It is about an inventor in a small town in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean who creates a machine that makes food fall from the sky like rain.

The great voice cast in the film stars Bill Hader from SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and Anna Faris from the made-in-Saskatchewan film JUST FRIENDS, along with the great James Caan, Mr. Bruce Campbell, Neil Patrick Harris and the one and only Mr. T.

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS has a ton of great pop culture references hidden in it, and many great and quite obvious jokes as well.

I really like this movie, and I highly recommend it!!

And trust me…someday, I will, use the name of this film and book in a weather report. You have my word on that!!

When CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS was released in theatres, it was available in 3D, and the extra dimension added to the fun of food falling from the sky. It hasn’t been released with the added dimension for home viewing, but it is such an entertaining film, it doesn’t need it.

THE FINAL DESTINATION…on the other hand…does need that third one…because this film uses it as a gimmick, and not just to enhance a well-written script.

But…that said…it does use the gimmick quite effectively!

THE FINAL DESTINATION is the fourth – and many believe final - installment in the Final Destination film series…a series that is centered around predestination, and precognition, in relation to death…specifically, how you can foresee, and possibly avoid it.

Each one of these movies has elaborate, often gory death scenarios, and they have had moderate success, primarily to people who like this kind of movie.

THE FINAL DESTINATION doesn’t steer that far from the formula. In this one a teenager has a premonition of a deadly race-car crash and helps save the lives of his friends, and some other people in the stands.

BUT…death then sets out to collect those who evaded their end.

As I said, the film was released to theatres in 3D, and so when the characters die, they do so with everything flying toward the audience, in order to take advantage of the added dimension.

Some will think that cool, primarily the people who have seen the other three films in the series.

I neither loved or loathed THE FINAL DESTINATION. It is what it is, a horror film in 3D with lots of gore.

If that appeals to you, check it out!! In the home versions, you can choose to watch it in either 3D, or the regular 2D.

The next release that I have for you is one that I thought would be a very entertaining and uplifting documentary about some young adults using music to try and help give them a better life.

Unfortunately we don’t necessarily get that from THE HIP HOP PROJECT.

Sure, the folks we meet in the film are living tough lives, and the words they write, sing and rap are true and insightful…but the songs they are creating aren’t very good. I like rap music, but the end result here is simply a film that is interesting at times…but not really that good.

THE HIP HOP PROJECT introduces us to a group of New York City teens who write music about the tough issues affecting their lives in hopes of having their song included on a compilation CD that is being produced.

And if the movie was just about their struggles and lives, it could have been what I expected it to be. Unfortunately, too often, it strays away from the teenagers and focuses too much on the man who is heading up The Hip Hop Project, a former homeless man named Kazi who has pulled his life together.

Don’t misunderstand me, his story is interesting, but he isn’t creating music…the kids are…and so in this documentary about music, I wanted music….and when it focused on Kazi, I just lost interest.

THE HIP HOP PROJECT is not a horrible documentary, but in the end, I didn’t care for it, and I don’t like the music that was produced through the project, so I wouldn’t buy the CD either.

I love the idea of trying to give kids a better life through music, just not this film made about them.

From a new documentary about Hip Hop music, let’s go back in time now to a Saturday morning television show that ran from 1973 to 1986.

A show about THE SUPER FRIENDS!!

SUPER FRIENDS first aired on September 8th, 1973 and features Superman, Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman, along with Wendy, Marvin, Wonderdog and the language of the day.

I loved this show when I was a kid, and I really enjoyed watching the 2 DVD Set SUPER FRIENDS – SEASON ONE, VOLUME ONE this week!!

I especially enjoyed hearing Ted Knight and Casey Kasem voices amongst the cast!!

If you used to watch it as well, don’t miss this chance to bring your SUPER FRIENDS home once again!!

Finally this week, the BLU RAY BEACON shines on a movie that is now a decade old. It was the film that introduced many of us to a talented young actor named Heath Ledger called 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU.

In addition to the late Mr. Ledger, the film also stars Julia Stiles and Joseph Gordon-Levitt and it is a loose adaptation of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew set in a modern high school.

10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU wasn’t a film I loved when it came out, but as I sat and watched the new 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION, I have to admit that I do like it.

I like this movie a lot, and if it is one of your favourites, you need to check it out!

If you have never seen it, don’t miss the chance to see the great talent of Heath ledger at work. This movie was the start of a great career that ended all too soon.

The 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION of 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, THE FINAL DESTINATION and CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS are available on Blu-ray and DVD.

THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON of the made-in-Saskatchewan show LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE HIP HOP PROJECT and SEASON ONE, VOLUME ONE of THE SUPER FRIENDS are all available now only on DVD.

Coming up on the next Couch Potato Report

BABY FORMULA and BIO DAD, two very Canadian different films about Mothers and Fathers; the potential multiple Academy Award nominee THE HURT LOCKER.

Also next week, THE SCARY MOVIE FRANCHISE and THE ELECTION OF BARACK OBAMA.

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 again next time on The Couch!

NBC stations want Leno back on late shift, but will Leno and Conan go along?

LOS ANGELES - NBC has instantly created TV's hottest drama, a storyline with ego, pride and millions of dollars at stake: how to fix the problem it created by moving Jay Leno to prime time.

Faced with poor ratings for both "The Jay Leno Show" and Conan O'Brien's "Tonight Show," the network is said to be considering returning Leno to his 11:35 p.m. EST slot and moving "Tonight" to midnight - a change that NBC's hard-hit affiliate stations would eagerly welcome.

Many stations have complained that the ratings for their 11 p.m. newscasts have plummeted because Leno's 10 p.m. show is such a weak lead-in.

"I think Jay Leno's a great performer. He's just at the wrong place at the wrong time. There's nothing wrong with making mistakes. There is something wrong with not correcting them," said Bob Prather, president and chief operating officer at Atlanta-based Gray Television Inc., whose station group includes 10 NBC affiliates.

Lisa Howfield, general manager of NBC affiliate KVBC in Las Vegas, said: "I'm excited to have Jay land back in late night. It sounds like a great lineup."

Whether Leno accepts a truncated, half-hour version of his prime-time comedy and talk show remains to be seen, as does O'Brien's response to getting less than a year to prove himself as host of "Tonight."

O'Brien is averaging 2.5 million nightly viewers, compared with 4.2 for Letterman's "Late Show," according to Nielsen figures. And the younger audience that O'Brien was expected to woo has been largely unimpressed, with O'Brien and Letterman's shows tying among advertiser-favoured viewers ages 18 to 49.

NBC's contract with O'Brien reportedly allows the network to move "Tonight" to 12:05 a.m. EST but no later, at the risk of substantial financial penalties. With a two-year contract said to be valued at about $28 million per year, O'Brien would have to think hard about walking away.

Any change would probably not take effect until March, after the Winter Olympics on NBC.

Network executives have been talking with Leno, O'Brien and their representatives to work out a solution. Meanwhile, online reports about the possible changes prompted the network to issue statements of support for both men, while declining to commit itself to keeping Leno's show on in prime time.

Leno's show has averaged 5.8 million nightly viewers since its fall debut, about the same number who watched his final "Tonight" season. By comparison, the season's top-rated 10 p.m. network drama, CBS' "The Mentalist," has an average audience of 17.5 million.

While Leno gleefully poked fun at NBC's woes in his Thursday monologue, even playfully toying with the idea of bolting to the Fox network, O'Brien refrained from commenting on "Tonight" and hasn't spoken about it publicly otherwise.

The drama verges on a rerun, recalling the messy battle for "Tonight" that Leno and David Letterman waged in the early 1990s when Johnny Carson decided to surrender the throne. Leno claimed it in 1992, with Letterman becoming his competitor at CBS.

In November, Leno told Broadcasting&Cable magazine he would have preferred to stay with "Tonight" and would take the job again if NBC offered it. But for O'Brien, the shakeup would be a snub.

"NBC has dealt with this talent in an unusual way, to put it nicely," industry analyst Bill Carroll said Friday.

After picking O'Brien to succeed Leno as the "Tonight" host, NBC took the revolutionary step of moving Leno to prime time to keep him from jumping to a rival network and to hold down production costs, since a talk show is cheaper to make than a series.

But affiliate displeasure grew quickly when Leno's show proved a poor lead-in for the local late newscasts that generate significant station revenue - and which depend on 10 p.m. shows to funnel viewers to them.

"The performance forced the issue. Unfortunately, the ratings, particularly in November, were such that it was not something the network could ignore," said Carroll, an analyst with Katz Television, a media-buying firm that advises local stations.

NBC affiliates saw their late newscast ratings drop 5 per cent to as much as 25 per cent with Leno in place, Carroll said.

Carroll said Comcast Corp., which has agreed to buy NBC from General Electric Co. in a multibillion-dollar deal, probably weighed in on the woes affecting the network's schedule. NBC has been lingering in fourth place in the ratings behind CBS, Fox and ABC.

According to reports this week, NBC has as many as 18 pilots for prospective new series, more than enough material to fill Leno's five hours a week of prime time.

KVBC's Howfield said the 10 p.m. vacancy should be filled with hourlong dramas. She suggested starting with "Law&Order: Special Victims Unit," which was bumped to 9 p.m. by the prime-time Leno experiment.

Prather also backs a return to traditional series.

"The sooner they can get what I call regular prime-time programming back in there, I think they'll be fine. NBC owned Thursday night for years with 'ER' and there's no reason they can't own nights like that again with good programming," he said.

Officer let Halle Berry bypass airport security line

A Montreal police officer "took the personal initiative" to move American actor Halle Berry, her Canadian partner and their daughter to the front of a lengthy U.S. customs queue at Trudeau airport earlier this week, a police spokesman said Friday.

Oscar winner Berry, Quebec model Gabriel Aubry and their daughter were spotted bypassing a long lineup Monday before they boarded a Montreal airport flight to Los Angeles — an incident reported by Quebec media outlets and slammed by at least one blogger.

Insp. Jimmy Cacchione, who heads the Montreal police force’s 36-member airport unit, acknowledged the officer's move had nothing to do with keeping the celebrity family safe.

Cacchione said the officer made the decision to let the couple through after a spur-of-the-moment request by Aubry.

"The husband of Ms. Berry asked if they could go faster through the line because they were late and they had the baby," Cacchione said. "The officer took the personal initiative to allow them to go through the line faster, but that's not something the Montreal police supports."

Cacchione added that the officer will not be reprimanded and the police airport unit will institute stricter rules for the future.

Escort by police 'a bit exaggerated': blogger

Before police reacted to Quebec media reports, freelance journalist Mariève Paradis said in her French-language blog that other passengers in the same line as Berry and her family had to wait as long as an hour.

"I need to make one thing clear … I have absolutely nothing against Halle Berry, or movie stars," Paradis wrote.

"They are probably nice people living in a world that's different from mine! I just find that an escort by the Montreal police strikes me as a bit exaggerated. Couldn't she have been escorted by an agent from Air Canada or the airport?"

"It was a very hard morning that day because there were so many people," Paradis told CBC News from Los Angeles on Friday.

When she and her husband arrived at the gate only minutes before the plane was scheduled to take off, Paradis said she was scolded by Air Canada staff.

"We would not have been late if we were Halle Berry," Paradis said.

Heightened airport security measures brought in after an alleged bomb plot was foiled following a transatlantic flight to Detroit on Christmas Day resulted in long lineups for passengers travelling to the United States over the holidays.

Obama State of the Union Threatens Lost Premiere

Lost has had to overcome many obstacles through its first five seasons, but never before has it been threatened by the Commander-In-Chief.

News is circulating the Internet today that the White House is considering either January 26 or February 2 for President Obama's State of the Union Address.

Losties know full well February 2 is the season six premiere which would mean if that date is chosen, the planned 3-hour event would be preempted in favor of a political speech. Doesn't anyone in the White House watch Lost? Ouch!

ABC is surely monitoring this situation closely and has a backup plan in place should they lose their date. I have a hard time imagining Lost starting after the Address, which would leave either the previous or following Tuesday evenings as likely candidates.

Of course there is a big Twitter movement underway with a hashtag of #NoStateofUnionFeb2 to stop this television travesty in its tracks. Personally I favor returning to Lost on schedule rather than another update on the improving economy and the latest anti-terrorist measures.

"Avatar" ready for four-peat at box office

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – "Avatar" is poised to become the first film to log four consecutive weekends atop the North American weekend box office since "The Dark Knight" managed the feat in summer 2008.

James Cameron's sci-fi phenom also is stalking "Dark Knight" and other all-time domestic top grossers, all while racking up an even more impressive global tally.

A 40% drop from last weekend's holiday-fueled total would mean a $40 million-plus haul for "Avatar" this session. That would take its domestic total well over $400 million, placing the Fox film smack in the midst of Hollywood's top 10 all-time grossers -- a list topped by the $600.8 million haul for Cameron's "Titanic" in 1997-98.

Fox also could wind up with the weekend's No. 2 picture as its family comedy "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" shows signs of sustained playability.

As for the weekend's wide openers, Lionsgate's futuristic vampire actioner "Daybreakers," starring Willem Dafoe and Ethan Hawke, should break into the mid- to high-teen millions through Sunday, and Dimension's teen comedy "Youth in Revolt" has good prospects of hitting double-digit millions.

But Universal's romantic comedy "Leap Year," starring Amy Adams and Matthew Goode ("A Single Man"), is tracking softly and likely will open in the single-digit millions.

Also Friday, Paramount expands its George Clooney vehicle "Up in the Air" to a total of about 2,200 engagements. Through Sunday, the total for the awards-season favorite stood at $44.4 million after five weekends of a platform campaign.

Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," from Sony Picture Classics, will expand after four weekends of bicoastal exclusives to 550 U.S. locations. And Fox Searchlight broadens its Jeff Bridges vehicle "Crazy Heart" by 21 theaters to a total of 33, with the music-filled drama toting a haul of $702,188 through three sessions.

Cameron, Tarantino score Directors Guild nods

LOS ANGELES – The science-fiction blockbuster "Avatar" has earned James Cameron his latest nomination for the top honor from the Directors Guild of America.

Cameron won the guild prize 12 years ago for "Titanic." Also nominated are Kathryn Bigelow for the Iraq War drama "The Hurt Locker," Lee Daniels for the Harlem teen tale "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," Jason Reitman for the recession-era story "Up in the Air" and Quentin Tarantino for the World War II hit "Inglourious Basterds."

Like the Golden Globes on Jan. 17, the awards put Cameron up against ex-wife Bigelow, a first-time Directors Guild nominee.

Daniels and Reitman also earned their first guild film nominations, while Tarantino previously was nominated for 1994's "Pulp Fiction."

Directors Guild picks usually are a good reflection of how the category will shake out at the Academy Awards. The winner at the guild awards usually goes on to win the directing Oscar, as Cameron did for "Titanic" and last year's guild winner, Danny Boyle, did for "Slumdog Millionaire."

The guild announces TV, documentary and commercial nominations Friday. Awards will be presented at a banquet Jan. 30 in Los Angeles, three days before Oscar nominations come out.

If the Oscar nominees match the guild picks, it would be one of the most diverse lineups ever in the directing category, which usually consists of five white men.

Daniels would follow John Singleton ("Boyz N the Hood") as only the second black filmmaker nominated for best director. Bigelow would be only the fourth woman nominated for director, following Lina Wertmuller ("Seven Beauties"), Jane Campion ("The Piano") and Sofia Coppola ("Lost in Translation").

Director Norman Jewison, whose films include "In the Heat of the Night," "A Soldier's Story" and "Moonstruck," will receive the guild's lifetime-achievement award.

Reports: Jay Leno's future on NBC up in the air

NEW YORK – The future of "The Jay Leno Show" was in question Thursday, even as NBC defended its prime-time talk-show star amid Web site reports the program will soon be canceled or shifted into late night.

An industry Web site called FTV declared that Leno's show would be canceled as soon as the Winter Olympics begin next month, when much of the regular programming on NBC will be pre-empted for Olympics coverage.

Then the TMZ Web site, citing undisclosed sources, said Leno's show would go on hiatus Feb.1. Following the Olympics (which take place in Vancouver from Feb. 12-28), Leno will take back the 11:30 p.m. EST time slot he occupied for 17 years that ended last May.

This would make Leno's successor at "The Tonight Show," Conan O'Brien, "the odd man out," TMZ said.

Late Thursday, The New York Times reported that NBC executives held discussions with both Leno and O'Brien earlier in the day about the future of the network's late-night lineup. Those executives said that no final decision has been made, but did not deny that the network is considering options that could include returning Leno as host of the "Tonight Show."

Since September, Leno has hosted an hour-long talk and comedy show weeknights at 10 p.m. EST. But his lackluster ratings in prime time have upset NBC affiliate stations who complain they are getting weaker lead-in audiences for their local late newscasts than from past NBC fare.

In a statement released Thursday, NBC said, "Jay Leno is one of the most compelling entertainers in the world today. As we have said all along, Jay's show has performed exactly as we anticipated on the network. It has, however, presented some issues for our affiliates. Both Jay and the show are committed to working closely with them to find ways to improve the performance."

While this statement didn't clearly refute the Web reports that Leno's show would be dropped, a clarification from NBC executives denied "The Jay Leno Show" has been canceled.

During his monologue Thursday, Leno milked some laughs from the "rumor floating around that we were canceled. I heard it coming in this morning on the radio. So far, no one has said anything to me."

But if it's true, he joked, "it will give us time to do some traveling. I understand that (the) Fox (network) is beautiful this time of year."

"I don't think there is any truth to the rumors," he went on, referring to his frontrunner status in the ratings when NBC took him off "The Tonight Show."

"See, it's always been my experience that NBC only cancels you when you're in first place," Leno cracked. "So we are fine. We are OK."

O'Brien made no mention of the scuttlebutt in his monologue.

Thursday night, NBC issued yet another statement expressing the network's commitment "to keeping Conan O'Brien on NBC. He is a valued part of our late-night lineup, as he has been for more than 16 years and is one of the most respected entertainers on television."

On Thursday, the rumors surrounding Leno's fate left industry analyst Shari Anne Brill mystified.

"For me, the big question is what is going to happen at 10 p.m. going forward," Brill said, "because that's a critical time period to promote the late local news, and it was the affiliates' dissatisfaction with their lower audience numbers that was the catalyst for speculation on this purported move (for Leno) into late-night."

"The unsolved mystery is what happens at 10 p.m." said Brill of Carat USA.
What sparked Thursday's flurry of Web reports was unclear, but coincided with reports this week that NBC has as many as 18 pilots for prospective new series — presumably more than would be needed to replenish a prime-time schedule for a network that expected to continue filling five hours weekly with Leno's show.

The speculation may also be a run-up to the winter TV Critics Press Tour, which begins this weekend in Los Angeles. At this annual conclave, network programming initiatives are unveiled for media reporters. In turn, reporters have a forum to grill network brass on programming questions. NBC's session is scheduled for Sunday.

Elvis Costello lines up 'Secret' spring tour

Elvis Costello has lined up a few spring concert dates in the US as he continues to back last summer's "Secret, Profane & Sugarcane," the veteran rocker's 25th studio album.

Following a Feb. 7 date in Edmonton, Alberta, Costello will kick off the outing with an April 8 solo performance in Napa, CA. Later that same month, Costello will hit a few southern US venues with The Sugarcanes, featuring the same lineup that helped him record his most recent album. Those dates include an April 29 appearance at the New Orleans Jazz Fest and a May 1 slot at Wilkesboro, NC's MerleFest.

The trek closes with a pair of late-May performances in Dallas, where Costello will be backed by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Currently confirmed dates are included at right.

"Secret, Profane & Sugarcane," Costello's most recent studio album, surfaced last June. The set was recorded over three days at Nashville's Sound Emporium Studio, and was released on Starbucks' Hear Music label, which is available at participating Starbucks outlets in the US and Canada, as well as at traditional music retailers.

The album was produced by the legendary T Bone Burnett, who also co-wrote two songs, "Sulphur to Sugarcane" and "The Crooked Line," the latter of which features guest vocalists Jim Lauderdale and Emmylou Harris. Costello also collaborated with Loretta Lynn for the second time in his career, on "I Felt The Chill."

On other fronts, Costello recently launched the second season of his Sundance Channel music/talk series, "Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...," with a Dec. 9 episode featuring Bono and The Edge. Additional confirmed guests for the seven-part second season include Lyle Lovett, John Prine, Ron Sexsmith, Neko Case, Ray LaMontagne, Nick Lowe, Levon Helm, Richard Thompson and Allen Toussaint.

February 2010
7 - Edmonton, Alberta - Winspear Centre

April 2010
8 - Napa, CA - Napa Valley Opera House
11 - San Diego, CA - Balboa Theatre
24 - Richmond, VA - The National
27 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theatre
29 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

May 2010
1 - Wilkesboro, NC - MerleFest
15 - Reno, NV - Peppermill Resort
28, 29 - Dallas, TX - Meyerson Symphony Center

Barenaked Ladies Planning 'Good Time' Release, Olympics Gigs

The Barenaked Ladies will release their 11th studio album, All in Good Time," on Mar. 30 following a string of live dates at the Super Bowl and Vancouver Winter Olympics. The band has already been previewing the album's first single, "You Run Away," on a recent U.S. road trip, and the official track will hit radio later this month.

"This is a really important record for us and we're really proud of it," frontman Ed Robertson said in a statement. "We're redefining who we are, and how we communicate as a band, and as friends."

Recording for "All in Good Time" began in spring of 2009 in Toronto, where Roberston and his bandmates teamed up with producer Michael Phillip Wojewoda and mixed the album with Bob Clearmountain (Bruce Springsteen, Rolling Stones). "Good Time" will be released on Barenaked Ladies' Raisin Records through an exclusive worldwide deal with EMI Music.

"The album has an emotional rawness to it that we may have shied away from in the past," added Robertson. "I think we pushed ourselves to heavier places, and also allowed for some really spacious moments. We can't wait to play these songs live."

Barenaked Ladies have so far lined up three gigs leading up to the album release -- a Feb. 6 performance at the pre-Super Bowl event "Taste of the NFL," plus a Feb. 16 gig at the Olympic Victory Ceremony in Vancouver and the Olympic Village Free Show in Whistler on Feb. 17. Ticket information is available at tasteofthenfl.com and vancouver2010.com.

Spider-Man 4 Snags May Delay Big-Screen Debut

Our Spidey sense is tingling.

Just a few months ago, Tobey Maguire told us he was ready to don the Spider-Man suit again in March for the film's fourth installment, which was looking at a May 2011 release.

Now it looks like Spider-Man 4 is facing a foe worse than Doc Ock: a rejected screenplay.

Somewhere along the line, Marvel's record-breaking franchise hit a huge snag, reports Hollywood insider Nikki Finke. Director Sam Raimi is reportedly dissatisfied with the Spider-Man 4 script thus far, and without a script, filming on the long-awaited movie has been put on the back burner.

Sources tell Finke it's unlikely the originally scheduled release date will be made, but attempts are being made to secure a summer 2011 opening—although the franchise has traditionally hit theaters in the coveted May spot.

While Sony didn't directly confirm the delay, the studio did hint that it could be a while, telling E! News: "We are completely committed to the Spider-Man franchise and know audiences will find the next film worth the wait."

We'll take that as a yes.

Sam Mendes To Direct Bond 23?

File under ‘whoa – did NOT see that one coming’. The Hollywood Reporter is saying that Sam Mendes is the surprise choice to helm the as yet-untitled Bond 23.

Mendes is currently in negotiations with EON big cheeses, Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, to direct the movie, which is ploughing ahead despite uncertainty over the sale of MGM, Bond’s parent company.

If he signs on the line that is dotted, production could well begin as early as June, for a release in 2011.

Mendes, of course, would mark a return to a British director after EON plumped for the first ‘foreign’ Bond director, the German-born Swiss, Marc Forster, for Quantum Of Solace. While that movie became the second most successful Bond movie ever, with a worldwide gross of $586 million, it wasn’t warmly received by critics and hardcore Bond fans, making a return for Forster unlikely.

But we still didn’t see Mendes coming. The 44 year-old has been something of a directorial chameleon in his career, flitting from dramas like American Beauty and Revolutionary Road, to the visually stunning and violent graphic novel adaptation, Road To Perdition, while he’s even tackled whimsical comedy with Away We Go.

A Bond movie, though, will be his biggest test yet. And, while all his films have looked beautiful, perhaps it was this ability to jump from genre to genre that persuaded EON to approach him. After all, while Bond movies are stylish, they’ve never been overwhelmed by any director’s particular style – so Mendes should fit right in. It’ll be interesting to see the visual approach he’ll bring to Bond.

And that’s all we know about Bond 23 so far, other than that Daniel Craig will return as Bond, Dame Judi Dench will also be back as M, and the script has been written by Peter Morgan and perennial Bond scribes, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.

Oh and, even though it would make all kinds of sense, we don’t think that Mendes will be recruiting his wife, Kate Winslet, as the new Bond girl.

Penn goes back to 'Stooges'

Sean Penn has backtracked on his decision to leave the Three Stooges - the actor has rejoined the upcoming film just months after dropping out.

Penn was due to star in the movie based on 1930s comedy icons Moe Howard, Curly Howard and Larry Fine, which will be helmed by directing duo the Farrelly brothers.

The Oscar-winner had been lined up to play Larry opposite Benicio Del Toro as Moe, and Jim Carey, who was reportedly in talks to play Curly.

But Penn quit the project over the summer after reconciling with wife Robin Wright Penn, vowing to take a break from movies to help fix his marriage. The couple finally called it quits in August after Wright Penn filed divorce papers and now it seems her spouse is throwing himself back into work.

Bobby Farrelly has confirmed Penn is back on board the Three Stooges project, but they're still looking to fill the role of Curly, according to the Boston Herald.

Farrelly tells the newspaper, "We got him (Penn) back. He always said he wanted to do it after, you know, taking care of his family."

Kravitz confirms authenticity of leaked Jackson song

Lenny Kravitz released a video Tuesday morning to address speculation about whether a newly leaked snippet of a song called "Another Day" is a collaboration between him and Michael Jackson.

"I wrote the song, I played all the instruments," says Kravitz on the video released to TwitVid and The Wall Street Journal. Recording with Jackson, who died June 25, "was one of the most amazing musical experiences I've ever had," he adds.

Kravitz says he doesn't know the DJ whose voice is heard on the 90-second excerpt and the DJ had nothing to do with the recording.

Jackson fans anxious to hear the whole song will soon, says Kravitz. "All that is being worked out." The rocker made the video while surrounded by tropical trees somewhere "in the bush."

The "Another Day" fragment was leaked ("not by me," says Kravitz) last weekend, but because Kravitz doesn't appear on it, there was wholesale speculation of what it was and whether he was involved.

By Tuesday morning, Sony Music was busy yanking it from various websites for copyright infringement.

This could be the start of a cottage industry in 2010 Jackson leaks. Jackson's manager Frank DiLeo told Rolling Stone magazine that Jackson left behind hard drives full of unreleased songs on which he collaborates with various musicians such as Ne-Yo, Akon and Will.i.am, as well as songs from the 1980s.

"There are a couple of songs we recorded for the Bad album that we had to cut that are just sensational," DiLeo told the magazine, which calls "Another Day" a remake of Kravitz's 2004 song "Storm."

Last July, a 24-second fragment of a Jackson song called "A Place With No Name," based in part on the America hit "A Horse With No Name," also leaked online.

'Avatar,' `Trek,' 8 others score Producer noms

LOS ANGELES – Science-fiction scored big with the Producers Guild of America, with "Avatar," "Star Trek" and "District 9" taking three of the 10 nominations Tuesday for the group's top film honors.

The group representing Hollywood producers also handed best-picture nominations to the animated blockbuster "Up," the World War II hit "Inglourious Basterds" and the critical favorites "The Hurt Locker," "Precious: Based on the Novel `Push' By Sapphire," "Up in the Air," "An Education" and "Invictus."

The Producers Guild followed the lead of the Academy Awards and doubled its best-picture field to 10 nominees this season.

"Up" also is nominated for best animated film, along with "9," "Coraline," "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and "The Princess and the Frog."

The guild picks typically are a good forecast for the eventual best-picture lineup at the Oscars, whose nominations come out Feb. 2.

If Oscar choices run the same way, the show will gain the mass appeal organizers had sought to bring to Hollywood's biggest party. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences doubled the best-picture field last summer, hoping to bring a broader range of films into the awards fold, including the sort of blockbuster fare the Oscars often have lacked in recent years.

"The Dark Knight," 2008's biggest hit, earned a best-picture nomination a year ago from the Producers Guild but was overlooked for the top Oscar category. Its omission was cited as a factor in the decision to expand the best-picture field, Oscar organizers saying they felt there were more than five films deserving nominations.

TV ratings for the Oscar show, on a general decline over the last few decades, usually climb in years when huge hits are in the running. The Oscars had their biggest audience ever when "Titanic," the modern box-office king with $1.8 billion worldwide, dominated the ceremony 12 years ago.

"Avatar" is "Titanic" director James Cameron's first narrative film since then. The sci-fi epic has topped $350 million domestically and shot past the $1 billion mark worldwide, and it appears headed to the No. 2 spot in the record books globally, behind "Titanic."

The Producers Guild lineup includes four other big hits — "Up" and "Star Trek," both $200 million smashes, and "District 9" and "Inglourious Basterds," which topped $100 million each.

The other nominees present a mix of star power and critical raves.

The recession-era comic drama "Up in the Air" has been an adult-audience favorite with plenty of box-office potential left and the celebrity appeal of star George Clooney.

The Iraq War drama "The Hurt Locker" has dominated key honors from critics groups and did solid independent-cinema business. The teen dramas "Precious" and "An Education" and the South Africa tale "Invictus," directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, also have been strong arthouse earners featuring some of the year's most acclaimed performances.

Other Producers Guild nominees Tuesday:
• Documentary: "Burma VJ," "The Cove," "Sergio," "Soundtrack for a Revolution."

• Long-form television: "Georgia O'Keeffe," "Grey Gardens," "Little Dorrit," "Prayers for Bobby," "The Prisoner," "Taking Chance."

Bond 23 Halted Until MGM Is Sold

MGM's troubles aren't exactly a mystery. The studio has been on sale for almost two months now, it has been hemorrhaging money and DVD sales have plummeted. While this has been happening for some time now, the company's financial woes had not affected the its two biggest potential moneymakers: The Hobbit and the Bond franchise (the delay of The Hobbit was due to script issues, not money). Take note of the word "had" in that last sentence, though, because the honeymoon is over.

According to MI6, the James Bond homepage, the next film in the Bond franchise, working title Bond 23, has been put on hold indefinitely as producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are waiting for the studio to be sold before they continue production. Speaking with TotalFilm magazine, Wilson was quoted saying, "Our timeline's a little up in the air what with the situation at MGM, so we have to be flexible. We just don't know enough about the situation to comment, but we know it's uncertain."

It is somewhat hard to be upset about this news, if not only because it was so predictable. The most recent news on the project had screenwriter Peter Morgan suggesting that production would be halted, but now this news merely changes things from rumor to fact. Considering the fact that two of the three writers (Neal Purvis and Robert Wade) worked on Die Another Day, however, this may not be the worst thing in the world. It may give them some time to fix all their mistakes.

Film box office overtakes 2009 DVD, Blu-ray sales

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – For the first time since 2002, U.S. consumers spent more to see Hollywood movies in theaters last year than buy them on DVD and Blu-ray discs, industry figures showed on Monday, and that trend is expected to continue.

In recent years, Hollywood has come to rely on the high profit margin from DVD sales to underwrite the large cost of producing and marketing films, but with DVD sales dwindling, the movie industry is reexamining its business models.

Adams Media Research reported on Monday that U.S. box office receipts boomed to $9.87 billion in 2009 and overtook DVD and Blu-ray sales of $8.73 billion.

Overall DVD and Blu-ray sales including films, television shows, concert videos and other content declined about 10 percent to $13 billion in 2009, Adams Media said.

The movie disc business peaked in 2004 with U.S. sales of $12.1 billion. With the film industry increasingly relying on the small but growing sectors of on-demand television and online distribution, movie disc sales are not expected to rebound to those peak figures from six years ago.

"It's going to be a more diverse marketplace with more ways of getting movies, therefore packaged sales aren't going to see the kind of growth that we saw with DVD," said Tom Adams, president of Adams Media Research.

The $8.73 billion consumers spent in 2009 to buy movies on DVD and Blu-ray was down 13 percent from the year before, Adams Media said. U.S. box office receipts for 2009 were up nearly 10 percent from the year before.

The last time U.S. box office receipts eclipsed disc sales was in 2002, Adams said.

Adams said the figures for 2009 are still preliminary, as late December sales had to be projected.

Hollywood would like to see Blu-ray sales pick up the slack from slumping DVD business, but that has been hampered by the recession and changing consumer patterns. Blu-ray uses advanced digital technology to produce a sharper picture than DVDs.

About $1.1 billion of the movie discs bought in 2009 were on Blu-ray, and the number of homes with Blu-ray players grew from 3 million to 8 million.

But even as Blu-ray has seen growth, sales of movies on discs have been undercut by the rise of low-cost rental options, such as Coinstar Inc's kiosk chain Redbox, which rents DVDs for $1 a day, and online subscription services such as Netflix Inc.

"Those two sectors of rental have really been growing, and causing people to hesitate about how many discs they're going to buy," Adams said.

Movie disc rentals in 2009 grew to $8.15 billion from $8.11 billion in 2008.
In 2009, the domestic box office reached a record high $10.6 billion, but that includes Canadian ticket sales that were taken out of the numbers compiled by Adams Media.

Tracking the awards leading up to the Oscars

With movie awards season now in full swing, the Iraq war film "The Hurt Locker" is an early frontrunner, according to an award tracking survey by The Associated Press. But honors have been spread around to a number of movies as well. Jason Reitman's uber-relevant "Up in the Air," in particular, continues to win across multiple categories. And then there's James Cameron's "Avatar," another major heavyweight, particularly at the box office.

A lot could still change before the Academy Awards on March 7. In between, the Broadcast Film Critics Association, Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Screen Actors Guild, Producers Guild, Directors Guild and the Film Independent organization all dole out awards.

A summary of the top film honors so far, in alphabetical order:

"(500) DAYS OF SUMMER"
Picture: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)
Actor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)

"AVATAR"
Picture: Golden Globe nomination (for drama), New York Film Critics Online
Director, James Cameron: Golden Globe nomination
Original Score, James Horner: Golden Globe nomination
Original Song, "I See You" by James Horner and Simon Franglen: Golden Globe nomination

"BAARIA"
Foreign Language Film: Golden Globe nomination

"THE BEACHES OF AGNES"
Documentary: National Society of Film Critics, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, co-winner

"THE BLIND SIDE"
Actress, Sandra Bullock: Golden Globe nomination (drama), Screen Actors Guild nomination

"BRIGHT STAR"
Supporting Actor, Paul Schneider: National Society of Film Critics (co-winner)

"BROKEN EMBRACES"
Foreign Language Film: Golden Globe nomination

"BROTHERS"
Actor, Tobey Maguire: Golden Globe nomination (drama)
Original Song, "Winter" by Brothers: Golden Globe nomination

"CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS"
Animated Film: Golden Globe nomination

"CORALINE"
Animated Film: Golden Globe nomination
Top 10: American Film Institute

"THE COVE"
Documentary: National Board of Review, Los Angeles Film Critics Association (co-winner)

"CRAZY HEART"
Actor, Jeff Bridges: Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Golden Globe nomination (drama), Screen Actors Guild nomination
Score: Los Angeles Film Critics Association
Original Song, "The Weary Kind (Theme From Crazy Heart)" by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett: Golden Globe nomination

"DISTRICT 9"
Screenplay, Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell: Golden Globe nomination
Production Design: Los Angeles Film Critics Association

"DUPLICITY"
Actress, Julia Roberts: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)

"AN EDUCATION"
Ensemble: Screen Actors Guild nomination
Actress, Carey Mulligan: National Board of Review, Golden Globe nomination (drama), Screen Actors Guild nomination

"EVERYBODY'S FINE"
Original Song, "I Want to Come Home," by Paul McCartney: Golden Globe nomination

"FANTASTIC MR. FOX"
Animated Film: New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Critics Association, Golden Globe nomination
Actor, George Clooney: New York Film Critics Circle
Production Design, Nelson Lowry: National Society of Film Critics

"JULIE & JULIA"
Picture: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)
Actress, Meryl Streep: New York Film Critics Circle, Screen Actors Guild nomination

"THE HANGOVER"
Picture: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)
Top 10: American Film Institute

"THE HURT LOCKER"
Picture: National Society of Film Critics, New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Boston Society of Film Critics, Golden Globe nomination (drama)
Ensemble: Screen Actors Guild nomination
Director, Kathryn Bigelow: National Society of Film Critics, New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Golden Globe nomination
Actor, Jeremy Renner: National Society of Film Critics, Screen Actors Guild nomination
Screenplay, Mark Boal: Golden Globe nomination
Top 10: American Film Institute

"INGLORIOUS BASTERDS"
Picture: Golden Globe nomination (drama)
Ensemble: Screen Actors Guild nomination
Supporting Actor, Christoph Waltz: National Society of Film Critics (co-winner), New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Golden Globe nomination, Screen Actors Guild nomination
Supporting Actress, Diane Kruger: Screen Actors Guild nomination
Director, Quentin Tarantino: Golden Globe nomination
Screenplay, Quentin Tarantino: Golden Globe nomination

"THE INFORMANT!"
Actor, Matt Damon: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)
Original Score, Marvin Hamlisch: Golden Globe nomination

"IN THE LOOP"
Screenplay: New York Film Critics Circle

"INVICTUS"
Actor, Morgan Freeman: National Board of Review (co-winner), Golden Globe nomination (drama), Screen Actors Guild nomination
Supporting Actor, Matt Damon: Golden Globe nomination, Screen Actors Guild nomination
Director, Clint Eastwood: National Board of Review, Golden Globe nomination

"IT'S COMPLICATED"
Picture: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)
Ensemble: National Board of Review
Actress, Meryl Streep: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)
Screenplay, Nancy Meyers: Golden Globe nomination

"JULIE & JULIA"
Picture: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)
Actress, Meryl Streep: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)

"THE LAST STATION"
Actress, Helen Mirren: Golden Globe nomination (drama), Screen Actors Guild nomination
Supporting Actor, Christopher Plummer: Golden Globe nomination, Screen Actors Guild nomination

"THE LOVELY BONES"
Supporting Actor, Stanley Tucci: Golden Globe nomination, Screen Actors Guild nomination

"THE MAID"
Foreign Language Film: Golden Globe nomination

"THE MESSENGER"
Supporting Actor, Woody Harrelson: National Board of Review, Golden Globe nomination, Screen Actors Guild nomination
Top 10: American Film Institute

"NINE"
Picture: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)
Ensemble: Screen Actors Guild nomination
Actor, Daniel Day-Lewis: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)
Actress, Mario Cotillard: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)
Supporting Actress, Penelope Cruz: Golden Globe nomination, Screen Actors Guild nomination
Original Song, "Cinema Italiano" by Maury Yeston: Golden Globe nomination

"OF TIME AND THE CITY"
Nonfiction Film: New York Film Critics Circle

"PRECIOUS"
Picture: Golden Globe nomination (drama)
Ensemble: Screen Actors Guild nomination
Actress, Gabourney Sidibe: Golden Globe nomination (drama), Screen Actors Guild nomination
Supporting Actress, Mo'Nique: National Society of Film Critics, New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Golden Globe nomination (drama), Screen Actors Guild nomination
Top 10: American Film Institute

"THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG"
Animated Film: Golden Globe nomination

"A PROPHET"
Foreign Language Film: National Board of Review, Golden Globe nomination

"THE PROPOSAL"
Actress, Sandra Bullock: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)

"SERAPHINE"
Actress, Yolande Moreau: National Society of Film Critics, Los Angeles Film Critics Association

"A SERIOUS MAN"
Actor, Michael Stuhlbarg: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)
Original Screenplay: National Board of Review, National Society of Film Critics
Top 10: American Film Institute

"SHERLOCK HOLMES"
Actor, Robert Downey Jr.: Golden Globe nomination (comedy or musical)

"A SINGLE MAN"
Actor, Colin Firth: Golden Globe nomination (drama), Screen Actors Guild nomination
Supporting Actress, Julianne Moore: Golden Globe nomination
Original Score, Abel Korzeniowski: Golden Globe nomination
Top 10: American Film Institute

"SUGAR"
Top 10: American Film Institute

"SUMMER HOURS"
Foreign Language Film: National Society of Film Critics, New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association

"UP"
Animated Film: Golden Globe nomination
Original Score, Michael Giacchino: Golden Globe nomination
Top 10: American Film Institute

"UP IN THE AIR"
Picture: National Board of Review, Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association, Golden Globe nomination (drama)
Actor, George Clooney: National Board of Review (co-winner), New York Film Critics Circle, Golden Globe nomination (drama), Screen Actors Guild nomination
Supporting Actress, Anna Kendrick: National Board of Review, Golden Globe nomination, Screen Actors Guild nomination
Supporting Actress, Vera Farmiga: Golden Globe nomination, Screen Actors Guild nomination
Director, Jason Reitman: Golden Globe nomination
Screenplay, Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner: National Board of Review, Los Angeles Film Critics Association
Top 10: American Film Institute

"WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE"
Original Score, Karen O and Carter Burwell: Golden Globe nomination

"THE WHITE RIBBON"
Foreign Language Film: Golden Globe nomination
Cinematographer, Christian Berger: National Society of Film Critics, New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association

"THE YOUNG VICTORIA"
Actress, Emily Blunt: Golden Globe nomination (drama)

2010 music preview

Out with the old tunes and in with the new. Here’s some of what the music industry has in store for the first few months of the year — and what’s on the horizon after that.

JANUARY

Ringo Starr

Y Not

The world’s most overpaid drummer kicks off the year by welcoming a guest list that includes Joe Walsh, Joss Stone, Ben Harper, Richard Marx and some old guy named Paul.

Jan. 12

Vampire Weekend

Contra

Expect the hipster blogosphere to instantly anoint the acclaimed New York indie-rockers’ sophomore CD as the best disc of 2010 — or, more likely, condemn it as a massive failure. Jan. 12

Owen Pallett

Heartland

Thanks to a copyright issue with a certain video game, the one-man orchestra formerly known as Final Fantasy will use his real name for the followup to his Polaris-winning He Poos Clouds. Jan. 12

OK Go

Of the Blue Colour of the Sky

How will these Chicago power-popsters top that Grammy-winning synchronized-treadmill video from a few years back? My top 3 guesses: Escalators, Segways or Rascals. Jan. 12

Hawksley Workman

Meat

Eccentric singer-songwriter Workman’s latest is a typically eclectic offering that incorporates everything from electronica and hip-hop to Gregorian chants and metal. Go figure. Jan 19

Eels

End Times

This sequel to last summer’s desire-themed Hombre Lobo is reportedly a concept album about divorce and aging. What’s next? A box set about online dating? Jan. 19

The Magnetic Fields

Realism

Singer-songwriter Stephen Merritt and Co. offer up the unplugged folk-pop yin to 2008’s noise-rock outing Distortion — and complete the synth-free trilogy that began with 2004’s i. Jan. 26

Spoon

Transference

As 2007’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga proved, these Austin indie-popsters are superb songwriters. Too bad they’re still one of the most boring live bands in existence.

Jan. 26

Corinne Bailey Rae

The Sea

British soul singer Rae’s long-awaited sophomore album deals with her husband Jason’s fatal overdose in 2008. Get ready for the feel-bad album of the winter. Jan. 26

FEBRUARY

Nick Jonas & The Administration

Who I Am

The youngest of the pop-trio siblings claims he modelled his new side-project group after Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Seriously, he said that. Feb. 2

Rob Zombie

Hellbilly Deluxe 2

Shock rocker-turned-horror director Zombie claims this sequel to his 1998 debut could be his last CD. Until he needs to sell his next one, that is. Feb. 2

Massive Attack

Heligoland

Seven years to the day after their last studio CD, the trip-hop duo finally return — with the help of guest vocalists including Damon Albarn and Hope Sandoval. Feb. 9

Allison Moorer

Crows

The red-headed roots-rock singer-songwriter releases her eighth album. Don’t be surprised if hubby Steve Earle makes a cameo. Feb. 9

Sade

Soldier of Love

This 10-song set is the British soul goddess’ first studio album in 10 years. Way to hustle there, Sade. Feb. 9

Peter Gabriel

Scratch My Back

Sorry, fans: The former Genesis frontman’s first disc in seven years consists of orchestral covers of Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Talking Heads, Lou Reed, David Bowie, Neil Young and more. Feb. 16

Juliana Hatfield

Peace and Love

Near as I can tell, the underappreciated indie-rock singer-guitarist has about two fans left: Me and the guy who e-mails me every time she puts out a new CD. This one’s for you, dude. Feb. 16

David Byrne & Fatboy Slim

Here Lies Love

Well, this should be interesting: It’s a two-CD song cycle about Imelda Marcos, with cameos by Tori Amos, Cyndi Lauper, Sharon Jones, Steve Earle and others. Feb. 23

Erykah Badu

New Amerykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh

This sequel to the soul mama’s deservedly acclaimed 2008 release has already missed several release dates. Here’s hoping this one sticks. Feb. 23

Airbourne

No Guts, No Glory

These Aussies aren’t the first band to cash in by ripping off AC/DC. With this second album, we’ll find out if they’ve got any other tricks up their sleeve. Feb. 23

MARCH

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists

The Brutalist Bricks

Despite being one of the finest songwriters of his generation, indie-rocker Leo also remains one of the most overlooked. Maybe this CD will change that. March 9

Liars

Sisterworld

I have no idea what these experimental noise-rockers have in store on their fifth studio album. But I fully expect it to be nothing short of freaky. March 9

Broken Bells

TBA

This indie-rock duo consists of Shins singer-guitarist James Mercer and ubiquitous producer Danger Mouse. And they have a song called Your Head is on Fire. OK, then. March 9

Drive-By Truckers

The Big To-Do

Singer-guitarist Patterson Hood says the Athens roots-rockers’ eighth album is “more rocking than anything since Disc 2 of Southern Rock Opera.” Count me in. March 16

Peter Wolf

Midnight Souvenirs

If you remember The J. Geils Band, you might be interested in their singer’s first solo album in eight years — featuring cameos by Merle Haggard, Shelby Lynne and Neko Case. March 16

Dillinger Escape Plan

Option Paralysis

Three years after their last album, Ire Works, the New Jersey metalcore maniacs unleash some fresh hell. March 23

Goldfrapp

Head First

The British electro-pop duo’s fifth album shares its title with an old Babys disc. Presumably, that’s all they share. March 23

Scissor Sisters

TBA

The glammy dance-rockers teamed with British producer and remixer Stuart Price, who has twiddled knobs for everyone from Madonna to Gaga. Sounds like a good match. March

LATER

She & Him

Volume Two

M Ward and Zooey Deschanel return with another disc of indie-pop duets. April 6

Deftones

TBA

This will be the experimental metal band’s first album without bassist Chi Cheng, who has not recovered from severe head injuries he suffered in a 2008 car crash. April 27

Melissa Auf def Maur

Out of Our Minds

The former Hole bassist has been working on her latest album for years — and after hearing some of it played live, let me tell you: It still needs work. Spring

Bachman Turner

Rock ’n’ Roll is the Only Way Out

The Canadian rockers get back in business together for the first time in 20 years. Spring

Goo Goo Dolls

Something for the Rest of Us

Johnny Rzeznik and Co. deliver something for those who consider Bon Jovi too edgy and interesting. Spring

MGMT

Congratulations

Congrats are indeed in order for the Grammy-nominated dance-rockers, who are striking while the iron is hot with this followup to last year’s Oracular Spectacular. Spring

Interpol

TBA

The New York post-punks’ fourth CD is either a forward-leaning orchestral album, or a return to their old sound, depending on whose interview you read. Spring

The Walkmen

TBA

The New York indie-rockers put out albums in every even-numbered year since 2002, so there’s no reason for them to stop now. Spring

Gorillaz

Plastic Beach

Damon Albarn says this is the poppiest record he’s ever made — and it includes cameos by Lou Reed, Mos Def, Barry Gibb, and Bobby Womack. Spring

Beastie Boys

Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 1

Now that Adam Yauch has reportedly recovered from cancer, the rap trio can finally dish up this long-overdue disc. Spring

John Mellencamp

No Better Than This

Mellencamp and producer

T Bone Burnett cut this disc in mono at historic locations like Sun Studio and a hotel where Robert Johnson recorded. Works for me. Spring

Devo

Fresh

Dig out your flowerpot hats: The Spudboys are putting the finishing touches on their first new CD in a couple of decades. Spring

DEFINITE MAYBES

Radiohead

TBA

Guitarist Ed O’Brien recently said the band would be recording in winter and releasing the followup to In Rainbows this year. Well, that should take care of 2010’s album-of-the-year spot. TBA

The Hold Steady

TBA

Craig Finn and his hardworking Brooklyn bar band have been playing new songs on the road lately, so a new album can’t be far behind. TBA

The Arcade Fire

TBA

The bad news? The Montreal indie-rockers recently shot down rumours of a May release. The good news? They claimed a new CD will surface in the latter half of the year. TBA

Cat Power

TBA

Word is that the singer-songwriter will ditch her Memphis Rhythm Band and return to the solo guitar-and-piano sound of old for this disc. TBA

Fleet Foxes

TBA

Singer-guitarist Robin Pecknold recently said there will “definitely” be an album in 2010. That’s good enough for me. TBA

The New Pornographers

TBA

It’s been a year since A.C. Newman’s Get Guilty and three years since Challengers, so it would seem to be about time for these indie-popsters to rise again. TBA

R.E.M.

TBA

The Georgia rockers are in the studio with producer Jacknife Lee making album 15 as we speak. TBA

Christina Aguilera

Light & Darkness

Becoming a mother has turned bigger singers than Aguilera into sappy crooners. Then again, she’s also filming the movie Burlesque, so who knows. TBA

Stone Temple Pilots

TBA

Supposedly, the reformed Weiland and Co. have almost wrapped up this disc with producer Don Was. Trouble is, their old label doesn’t want to let them out of their contract. TBA

Linkin Park

TBA

The California rockers claim their fourth album will be more cutting-edge than 2007’s Minutes to Midnight. That shouldn’t be hard. TBA

Offspring

TBA

Dexter Holland and his veteran pop-punk outfit are reportedly due back in the studio with producer Bob Rock this month. TBA

DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH

OutKast

TBA

Andre 3000 and Big Boi each plan solo albums in 2010 — and might team up again. I’ve heard that before. TBA

ZZ Top

TBA

In the six years since their last album, I could have grown a beard longer than Billy Gibbons’. TBA

Beatty denies bedding 12,000 women

An attorney for Warren Beatty has denied reports a salacious new biography about the Hollywood actor was authorized, insisting the book contains many "false assertions" about the star.

In Star: How Warren Beatty Seduced America, writer Peter Biskind documents the Bonnie and Clyde veteran's high-profile romances with actresses Jane Fonda and Joan Collins, and spectacularly alleges he has slept with more than 12,000 women.

But Beatty's lawyer Bertram Fields insists previous reports confirming the book was sanctioned by the 72 year old are false - and he's warning fans and media outlets not to believe everything published in the new tome.

In a statement to the Huffington Post, Fields says, "Mr. Biskind's tedious and boring book on Mr. Beatty was not authorized by Mr. Beatty and should not be published as an authorised biography. It contains many false assertions and purportedly quotes Mr. Beatty as saying things he never said.

"Other media should not repeat things from the book on the assumption that they are true or that the book is an authorized biography."

How the Beatles rocked the Kremlin

Hmmm ... Beatles or Brezhnev? ... Beatles or Brezhnev? ... which seems more fun?

Apparently, Back in the USSR had a real impact back in the USSR.

At least, that's the theory in the documentary How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin. It airs tonight across Canada on CBC News Network (formerly CBC Newsworld).

How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin, which is a BBC project, was directed by British documentary filmmaker Leslie Woodhead. If you're a Beatles fan, you'll be interested to know that Woodhead filmed the Beatles at the Cavern back in August 1962, producing lasting images that you probably have seen a million times.

Anyway, in How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin, Woodhead investigates the impact the Beatles and their music had on the former Soviet Union, from the 1960s through to the fall of the communist regime.

In interviews with many Russian Beatles fans, a picture is painted that suggests the Beatles, slowly but surely, helped to erode blind faith in the Soviet state. The Fab Four was a window to Western culture, whispering a promise that something exciting and worthwhile existed beyond the Iron Curtain.

In the early '60s it actually was kind of cool to be a Soviet -- relatively speaking -- with the worldwide fame of first-man-in-space Yuri Gagarin and political leader Nikita Khrushchev's entertaining rants against the West. But in 1964 Khrushchev was replaced by the "much more boring" Leonid Brezhnev and the first seeds of a Soviet generation gap were planted.

Beatles music was banned in the Soviet Union in the '60s, so it was passed around as contraband. Bootleg discs were made from old X-rays. Of course, the danger and secrecy made Soviet youths even more thirsty for the sound.

Making a long story short, by the early 1980s the gulf between the so-called Soviet "Beatles generation" and Soviet leadership was too wide to be bridged. It is the opinion of some that despite the Cold War posturing between the West and the Soviets, what really doomed communism within the Soviet Union was that young adults raised on the Beatles just didn't believe in the system any more.

As one Russian Beatles fan puts it, "After the Beatles, communism was like a fence with holes. We breathed through those holes."

Comedy Lifers: If you missed our interview with co-star Stacey Farber over the weekend, don't forget the new CBC comedy 18 to Life debuts tonight. It stars Farber (Degrassi: The Next Generation) and Michael Seater (Life with Derek) as teenagers who decide to get married, not because of a cliche pregnancy, but for love. Nonetheless, their parents are mortified.

Ray of light: It's not too late to subscribe to the Canadian pay service Super Channel if you want to catch the Canadian debut tonight of the new Ray Romano series Men of a Certain Age. It's a "dramedy" that premiered to widespread acclaim last month on TNT in the United States.

Monday clicking: The anniversary special Discovery: 15 Years of Awesome airs, fittingly, on the Discovery Channel tonight ... The Bachelor is back for its 14th season on ABC and Citytv ... Global has the pilot episode of the supernatural comedy Drop Dead Diva, which originates on Lifetime in the United States ... Glutton for Punishment begins its fourth and final season on the Food Network ... Also on the Food Network, chef Lynn Crawford's new series Pitchin' In makes its debut ... Finally, the new series Greatest Tank Battles rolls out on History Television.

Singer-songwriter Lhasa dies at 37

Influential Montreal-based singer Lhasa de Sela has died of breast cancer. She was 37.

The Mexican-American singer-songwriter died in her Montreal home late Jan. 1, after a 21-month battle with breast cancer, according to a statement on her website.

Known as Lhasa, she marked the world music scene with her dreamy and ethereal songs, written and recorded in Spanish, French and English.

Her first album, La Llorona (the crying woman, in Spanish) was released in 1997 to critical acclaim, earning Lhasa a Quebec Félix Award that same year and a Canadian Juno for Best Global Artist in 1998.

After touring for two years, Lhasa settled in the south of France to write her second album, recorded in French, English and Spanish.

Her ultimate album, a collection of English songs recorded live, was launched at Montreal's Corona Theatre last year. Lhasa cancelled her 2009 tour because of her illness.

Lhasa was born in Big Indian, in upstate New York, in 1972. She moved to Montreal when she was 19 and split her time between Canada and France.

She is survived by her partner Ryan, her parents, her stepmother, and nine brothers and sisters. A private funeral is being planned, according to her website.

Bono calls for internet controls

Irish rocker Bono is calling for better restrictions on the internet to protect artists and their work.

In his regular column for the New York Times, which the U2 frontman began a year ago, Bono says downloading is becoming all-encompassing.

"The only thing protecting the movie and TV industries from the fate that has befallen music and indeed the newspaper business is the size of the files," he wrote.

Bono predicts people are only a few years away from downloading movies in a few seconds.

"A decade's worth of music file-sharing and swiping has made clear that the people it hurts are the creators — in this case, the young, fledgling songwriters who can't live off ticket and T-shirt sales like the least sympathetic among us." And he alleges that "rich service providers" are reaping "the lost receipts of the music business."

The musician claims the technology is available to track and prevent illegal downloading, noting efforts in China which limit its populace from freely accessing the internet.

"Perhaps movie moguls will succeed where musicians and their moguls have failed so far, and rally America to defend the most creative economy in the world, where music, film, TV and video games help to account for nearly four per cent of gross domestic product," he concludes.

Meanwhile, Bono's band is doing well on its own, though not through record sales.

The Irish rockers had the most popular tour on the North American concert circuit in 2009, according to data from Pollstar.

The band sold $123 million US in tickets, making it the fifth largest concert tour in history, the trade publication reported.

'The Simpsons' marks 450th episode with special

NEW YORK – To speak of the latest milestone by "The Simpsons" seems to restate the obvious.

Long before now, enduring life for "The Simpsons" and its brightly jaundiced folk was simply assumed. What began 20 years ago as a fluke then erupted into a pop-culture juggernaut has continued to spin yarns, spawn characters and lampoon society with no end in sight.

On Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on Fox, "The Simpsons" is airing its 450th episode. "Once Upon a Time in Springfield" will be followed by an hourlong documentary from Morgan Spurlock ("30 Days," "Super Size Me"), fancifully titled "The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3-D on Ice."

During this season, when NBC's "Law & Order" boasts of having tied "Gunsmoke" as TV's longest-running prime-time drama, "The Simpsons" has seized the mantle as TV's longest-running scripted nighttime series — period. Ay, caramba!
"I think we could do it for another 20 years, actually," Matt Groening, "Simpsons" uber-creator, told The Associated Press at a recent "Simpsons" tribute by Los Angeles' Paley Center for Media. Then he dissolved into giggles.

"Omigod! Another 20? We'll TRY," he chortled. "We'll do our BEST!"

Here's hoping the spectacular ensemble of voice talent keeps talking to the end. After 20 years, Dan Castellaneta remains full-throated as portly, dimwitted dad Homer, Julie Kavner is tower-tressed mom Marge, Nancy Cartwright is lippy first-born Bart and Yeardley Smith is oversmart daughter Lisa.

Of course, these off-screen stars of "The Simpsons" are well served by visual artistry that, among things, keeps them shielded from the passage of time.

The show's writers play a huge role, too, with fastidiously crafted scripts that, by comparison, leave most sitcoms in the dust. (Granted, some fans may complain "The Simpsons" isn't as sharply realized as in earlier years, but still.)

"What I love about 'The Simpsons' is, it's so collaborative," Smith said. "The actors do a third, the animators do a third and the writers do a third. That's how I see it."

Also part of the acting troupe is Hank Azaria, a go-to guy for numerous characters including police Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy and convenience-store owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.

Rounding out the core cast is Harry Shearer, whose stable of roles includes Mr. Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy, Kent Brockman, Dr. Hibbert and Principal Skinner.

Besides "The Simpsons," Shearer, 66, is best-known from his role as bassist Derek Smalls in the 1984 mock musical documentary "This Is Spinal Tap," and subsequently in the real-life group that film inspired.

But Shearer, who began his career as a child actor on such early TV series as Jack Benny's weekly show, keeps a multiplicity of projects under way. These currently include a new DVD, "Unwigged & Unplugged," reteaming him musically with Tap bandmates Michael McKean and Christopher Guest. He hosts his own signature channel on the "My Damn Channel" comedy Web site.

And for a quarter-century, he has churned out "Le Show," a mostly solo act of wry humor, satirical sketches and blistering commentary, plus music (some performed by his singer-songwriter wife, Judith Owen).

"Le Show" is available through numerous radio and Web outlets, and by podcast.

It's a weekly passion project that Shearer has always done gratis — which means he's free from any vexing business entanglements.

"I never have a meeting, I never see a memo," he says. "It's between me and my audience."

Sipping an early morning orange juice during a Manhattan stopover a couple of weeks ago, Shearer describes "Le Show" as a place for him to give voice to whatever's on his mind.

"I'm an insatiable news junkie," he says, "so the reading that I do, I would do anyway. The show just gives me a way to answer back."

The sensibility of "Le Show," and much of Shearer's creative output, is conveniently echoed by "The Simpsons," even though he plays no part in its writing.

"Matt has a satirical, anti-authority streak," says Shearer. "From the beginning, 'The Simpsons' was taking the side of the family against all the authority figures and institutions that buffeted them in the modern world. Certainly, that resonated for me."

Shearer recalls the show's first script, whose characters assigned to him were highlighted in yellow. In the next script, other characters' dialogue would be highlighted for him.

Much of the time, he didn't see drawings of the new characters until months after he had created their voices, when the episode was finished: "Oh, THAT'S what he looks like!"

How many different voices has Shearer done on "The Simpsons" in all?

"The one real influence that Bob Dylan has had on my life is that, every time I'm asked that question, I give a different answer," says Shearer. "So: hundreds," he replies in a raspy Dylan-esque voice.

As the years passed, Shearer's many voices were part of the emerging world of Springfield, an oblivious community that seemed satisfied to settle for less in nearly everything: public education; organized religion; TV news and kids programming; government, law enforcement, business, and food and drink intake; and certainly environmental issues, such as the nuclear power plant that employs Homer Simpson, of all people, as a safety inspector.

What's the message of "The Simpsons"? That people, for all their highfalutin talk, are willing to settle for less if it's easier or saves them a buck?

Has "The Simpsons" taken on a new, unexpected relevance thanks to the current economic downturn, when standards for everything seem under threat?
"You look around and the only person who ostentatiously and repeatedly proclaims his pursuit of excellence is Rush Limbaugh," says Shearer, then does a perfect imitation of Limbaugh: "I'm presenting broadcast excellence."

"That's got to tell you something," Shearer says. "Everybody ELSE is just getting by."

But he, unlike most people taking stock of "The Simpsons" at this moment in its run, resists any grandiose claims for its legacy.

"Together with NFL football, 'The Simpsons' put the Fox network on the map — whatever you think of that," he hedges. "And Fox has changed the face of network television — you got to decide for better or worse.

"I wish I could say that we inspired an awful lot of funny, smart, irreverent, acerbic shows that took a lacerating view of the institutions of society. But I don't think we have."

Nor does he think the show — or any contemporary satire — really changes anything it lampoons.

"For instance, after 20 years and 450 episodes," Shearer sums up, "I don't really think 'The Simpsons' has increased the country's skepticism about nuclear power."

NFB's iPhone app showcases Canada

MONTREAL–The National Film Board of Canada's new iPhone application has proven to be a hit beyond this country's borders, with 40 per cent more people downloading NFB content from abroad than in Canada.

Since its launch on Oct. 21, there have been nearly 80,000 downloads internationally and just over 56,000 in Canada from people seeking out the NFB's documentaries and animation.

Among the top five plays on the iPhone are The Cat Came Back, Canada Vignettes: Log Driver's Waltz and HA-Aki.

The iPhone app is just one of the international successes recorded in the 70th anniversary year of the NFB, the national producer and distributor of films, documentaries, animation and shorts.

Besides looking back at its fabled past, chair Tom Perlmutter said the NFB continued its efforts to position itself solidly in the future by exploring new markets.

"The international response was extraordinary," Perlmutter said in an interview. "We've been tremendously well received."

Besides making the rounds of international festivals, Perlmutter sat down with decision-makers in a number of countries to craft deals.

Among those was the president of China's national educational broadcaster.

"We're just starting discussions," Perlmutter said. "They're interested in looking at a wide range of things." Some of those include science-based productions. The NFB is also working with Cirque du soleil on the film for the Canadian pavillion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

China was just one of a slew of high-profile showcases for the NFB this year. Others included the screening of The Strangest Dream, a documentary on the threat of nuclear weapons, at the United Nations and European parliament.

Perlmutter, NFB commissioner since 2007, says forging new partnerships domestically and internationally is key to doing business in this increasingly wired world.

"The world is changing," he said. "We've got to think about new ways of doing things."

And he adds that when the film board goes knocking on foreign doors, it's giving taxpayers a good bang for the $65 million the government kicks into its coffers.

The board's political bosses agree that the NFB is an effective salesman for Canada abroad.

"The National Film Board, especially with their online offerings, is a really easy and accessible way to tell our stories not only to Canadians but internationally as well," said Stephanie Rea, a spokeswoman for Heritage Minister James Moore.

NFB.ca, the board's retooled website, has had almost three million views since it launched a year ago. About 1,700 of the NFB's 13,000 productions are online and more are constantly being added.

Doyle's executors threaten Holmes sequel

The executors of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's literary estate have threatened to withdraw Guy Ritchie's rights to the Sherlock Holmes story if the director hints at a homosexual relationship between the lead characters in his sequel.

Robert Downey, Jr., who plays the supersleuth in Ritchie's new movie adaption, recently appeared on David Letterman's U.S. talk show and hinted at a homoerotic subtext in the relationship between his character and Jude Law's Dr. Watson.

During the interview the actor also asked the audience to decide whether Holmes is "a very butch homosexual."

But Downey, Jr.'s comments have infuriated Andrea Plunket, who controls the remaining U.S. copyrights to the Holmes story, and she's threatened to withdraw permission for a follow-up if Ritchie suggests the detective is more than just friends with his sidekick.

She says, "I hope this is just an example of Mr Downey's black sense of humour. It would be drastic, but I would withdraw permission for more films to be made if they feel that is a theme they wish to bring out in the future. I am not hostile to homosexuals, but I am to anyone who is not true to the spirit of the books.

Keeping a lid on 'Iron Man 2'

SAN DIEGO — When we last saw Tony Stark, he was outing himself to the world — a superhero without secrets.

Jon Favreau isn’t buckling so easily. On this day at last summer’s Comic-Con, the actor-turned-director is jealously protecting Iron Man 2’s surprises in advance of its May 7, 2010 launch.

Even if he knows he has as much chance keeping his tightly-guarded sequel from springing leaks as he does constructing a battle suit in an Afghanistan cave.

“I got to tell you, all the secrets we thought we had the first time out — very few of them made it all the way to when the movie came out,” he admits, referring to the post-credits cameo by Samuel L. Jackson as SHIELD director Nick Fury.

“That Nick Fury thing was out there on (the website) Ain’t It Cool News less than a week after we did it. We shot with a skeleton crew on a dark day — nobody knew about it. We thought we were so clever, and then everybody knew.”

Still, there are worse things, he realizes. Such as directing a movie in which there is so little interest no one is bothering to spoil it. A few years ago, it’s a fate most observers believed would likely befall Iron Man — the umpteenth comic-book adaptation about a B-grade character, starring unconventional choice Robert Downey Jr. and bankrolled by Marvel Studios, in its first self-produced attempt at moviemaking. But reviews were excellent, and the film rocketed to a box-office haul of more than $585 million worldwide.

Now two years later, the sequel is 2010’s most-anticipated movie, with Downey Jr. back and joined by — in addition to returning Gwyneth Paltrow and Jackson — newcomers Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Mickey Rourke and Don Cheadle, who replaces Terrence Howard.

Says Downey Jr. of the new cast members: “I feel really beholden to say to them, ‘I guarantee you and I promise you that we will work our asses off to really pay this character off.’ And I guess the problem is, or the challenge was this time I was essentially saying that to three or four new people. Jon and I were telling Mickey that he wouldn’t just play a two-dimensional nemesis. We were thrilled to get Scarlett, and we said, ‘You’re not just going to be like some kind of B Marvel spin-off.’ ”

Even if sometimes it meant accommodating the odd feathered co-star, says Favreau.

“We sculpt scenes and change them as we learn things about the characters. Or Mickey Rourke wants a pet. I’d seen a picture of him with a cockatoo that he used to own. And so he’s like, ‘How about that? That’s my favourite animal’ and he’s like, ‘Maybe it could humanize this guy.’ That wasn’t something in the script. You want the freedom that (Francis Ford) Coppola brought to The Godfather, where Marlon Brando finds the cat on the set and is playing with it in that scene. What you don’t want is Brando wearing an ice bucket on his head. That’s the balancing act.”

And so far it’s an act Downey Jr. seems pleased to be part of, exhibiting no symptoms of franchise fatigue.

“I tend to just think of (Marvel) as this kind of unspoiled area of activity in a very wonderful, treacherous industry.”

WHO’S WHO IN 'IRON MAN 2'

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.): With various forces aligning against him, the former care-free billionaire arms manufacturer now faces betrayal and danger from all sides.

Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow): She’s the CEO of Stark Industries now, but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t feelings between her and Stark - and a lot of romantic tension now that he has a beautiful new assistant named Natasha.

Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson): Lest you think the director of the spy organization SHIELD is going anywhere, Jackson has a nine-picture deal with Marvel.

Whiplash/Vanko (Mickey Rourke): This tattooed Russian villain builds himself a battle suit in prison and embarks on a mission of cybernetically-enhanced vengeance.

Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson): She has red tresses, curves - and a black cat-suit worth of secrets. Namely that she’s also the mysterious Black Widow.

Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell): A slick, amoral weapons inventor, he conspires to take out his chief rival, Stark, who is now pre-occupied with saving the world.

James Rhodes (Don Cheadle): “Next time, baby,” Terrence Howard promised himself at the end of the first film. Well, not quite. Instead it’s Cheadle - who landed the role after Howard and Marvel had a falling out - who gets to fly into action as the bullet-grey War Machine.

Soundgarden Reunion Planned for 2010

Soundgarden will reunite for concerts in 2010, according to a Twitter message from frontman Chris Cornell which directs fans to a new Web site, Soundgardenworld.com. The Seattle rock quartet -- Cornell, guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Ben Shepherd and drummer Matt Cameron -- has not played live since splitting up in the spring of 1997.

Although no details have been announced yet, sources tell Billboard the group is weighing offers from several major U.S. and international festivals. But a tour routing is still a work in progress, due to Cameron's prior commitments to play with Pearl Jam in the spring and summer of next year.

Cameron has been Pearl Jam's permanent drummer since 1998; that group recently announced its first North American date of 2010 as part of the second weekend of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April 29-May 2), and will also play 10 European shows from June 22 in Dublin through July 10 in Oeiras, Portugal.

Also still amorphous are plans for some kind of Soundgarden best-of and/or reissues of its back catalog. In addition, Thayil and Shepherd have long discussed compiling a Soundgarden boxed set, which would include a wealth of unreleased studio material.

For many years after Soundgarden split, the instrumentalists were said to have had little contact with Cornell and reportedly turned down an offer to reform for Sub Pop's 20th anniversary concerts in Seattle in 2008. Cornell was not on hand for an impromptu live performance on March 24, 2009, at Seattle's Crocodile Cafe, when Cameron, Thayil and Shepherd played the Soundgarden songs "Hunted Down," "Nothing to Say" and "Spoonman" with Tad Doyle on vocals.

But all four members were present at an Oct. 6, 2009 Pearl Jam show in Los Angeles, when Cornell reprised the Temple of the Dog song "Hunger Strike" with the band, and sources say reunion plans began to take shape shortly afterward.

Soundgarden formed in Seattle in 1984, with an initial lineup of Cornell on vocals and drums, Thayil on guitar and Hiro Yamamoto on bass. Cameron joined on drums in 1986, and the following year, the band released its first single, "Hunted Down," on the nascent hometown label Sub Pop.

Famed indie label SST released Soundgarden's debut album, "Ultramega OK," in October 1988, but the band's churning, Black Sabbath-inspired rock'n'roll quickly reached a wider audience after signing with A&M Records, which issued a new album, "Louder Than Love, in September 1989. Yamamoto was replaced briefly on bass by Jason Everman, who was then replaced permanently by Shepherd for the recording of "Badmotorfinger" in 1991.

Driven by Cornell's impressive vocal range, Thayil's dark, detuned guitar work and Cameron's love of tricky time signatures, "Badmotorfinger" songs like "Outshined" and "Jesus Christ Pose," foreshadowed the Seattle-centric grunge explosion ushered in a few months later by Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Soundgarden fully broke through on 1994's five-times-platinum "Superunknown," thanks to smash rock radio hits such as "Spoonman," "Black Hole Sun" and "Fell on Black Days."

After headlining the 1996 Lollapalooza festival in support of the album "Down on the Upside," Soundgarden ran out of steam and broke up amicably. Since the split, Cornell has released three solo albums and three more with the now-defunct Audioslave, which featured the non-singing members of Rage Against The Machine. Thayil and Shepherd have kept a low profile, only occasionally releasing music and collaborating with artists like Sunn O))) and Boris, Probot, Steve Fisk and Mark Lanegan.

Shepherd and Cameron also revived their side project, Hater, which released its second album, "The 2nd," in 2005.

'The Hurt Locker' sweeps National Society of Film Critics Awards

"The Hurt Locker" swept the awards bestowed today by the National Society of Film Critics during its voting conclave held at Sardi's restaurant in New York. The Iraqi war drama won best picture, director (Kathryn Bigelow) and actor (Jeremy Renner as a daredevil U.S. soldier who disarms bombs).

The society voted Yolande Moreau best actress for "Seraphine." Previously, she won best actress for her portrayal of French artist Seraphine de Senlis at the Cesar Awards (France's equivalent of the Oscars) where "Seraphine" swept up seven trophies, including best picture. She also won the lead actress laurels bestowed by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.

Earlier this derby season, "The Hurt Locker" was voted best picture by the New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Boston Society of Film Critics, Gotham Awards and other groups.

Other NSFC winners:

Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds," and Paul Schneider, "Bright Star"

Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique, "Precious"

Screenplay: Joel and Ethan Coen, "A Serious Man"

Foreign-Language Film: "Summer Hours"

Nonfiction Film: "The Beaches of Agnes"

Cinematography: Christian Berger, "The White Ribbon"

Production design: Nelson Lowry, "Fantastic Mr. Fox"

The society includes 64 members from major media outlets in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago, including Time, Newsweek, New Yorker, Village Voice and Salon.com. It's been bestowing awards since 1966.

Peter Gabriel goes orchestral for covers album

NEW YORK (Billboard) – Peter Gabriel eschews traditional rock'n'roll instrumentation on his upcoming album, "Scratch My Back," which sports orchestral covers of material originally recorded by David Bowie, Paul Simon, Neil Young, Radiohead and Arcade Fire, among others.

All of the artists whose songs Gabriel covers on "Scratch My Back" will return the favor by reworking his songs on a future album, dubbed "I'll Scratch Yours."
"Scratch My Back," due February 15 on Virgin Records, is Gabriel's first studio album since 2002's "Up," which peaked at No. 9 on The Billboard 200.

Gabriel will perform selections from "Scratch My Back" with an orchestra at four March shows: March 22 in Paris (Palais Omnisports), March 25 in Berlin (O2 World) and March 27-28 in London (The O2).

Here is the track list: "Heroes" (David Bowie) "The Boy in the Bubble" (Paul Simon) "Mirrorball" (Elbow) "Flume" (Bon Iver) "Listening Wind" (Talking Heads) "The Power of the Heart" (Lou Reed) "My Body Is a Cage" (The Arcade Fire) "The Book of Love" (The Magnetic Fields) "I Think It's Going To Rain Today" (Randy Newman) "Apres Moi" (Regina Spektor), "Philadelphia" (Neil Young) "Street Spirit" (Radiohead).

Elton John says he's helping Eminem fight drugs

LONDON – Elton John says he has been helping American rapper Eminen fight drug problems for more than a year.

John says Eminem is succeeding in his well-publicized battle against substance abuse.

John told BBC Radio Saturday that as a recovered drug abuser he is happy to help people if they want the assistance but drugs make people so cocky and arrogant that they often reject help.

Eminem has written about his substance abuse problems in the past.

'Avatar' rules with $68.3M, tops $1B worldwide

LOS ANGELES – James Cameron's science-fiction epic "Avatar" had another stellar weekend with $68.3 million domestically, shooting past $1 billion worldwide, only the fifth movie ever to hit that mark.

No. 1 for the third-straight weekend, 20th Century Fox's "Avatar" raised its domestic total to $352.1 million after just 17 days. The film added $133 million overseas to lift its international haul to $670 million, for a worldwide gross of $1.02 billion.

"Avatar" opened two weekends earlier with $77 million, a strong start but far below dozens of other blockbusters that debuted as high as $158 million. But business for other blockbusters usually tumbles in following weekends, while "Avatar" revenues barely dropped over the busy Christmas and New Year's weekends.

"It's like a runaway freight train. It just keeps doing business," said Fox distribution executive Bert Livingston. "Here's what's happening: I think everybody has to see `Avatar' once. Even people who don't normally go to the movies, they've heard about it and are saying, `I have to see it.' Then there's those people seeing it multiple times."

"Avatar" was Cameron's first film since 1997's "Titanic," the biggest modern blockbuster with $1.8 billion worldwide.

Cameron now is the only filmmaker to direct two movies that have topped $1 billion. Along with "Titanic," the others are "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $1.13 billion, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" at $1.06 billion and "The Dark Knight" at a fraction over $1 billion, according to box-office tracker Hollywood.com.

With "Avatar" closing in on No. 2 film "The Return of the King," Cameron is in striking distance of having the two top-grossing movies globally.

"Avatar" has had a price advantage over those other billion-dollar movies. About 75 percent of its domestic business has come from theaters showing it in digital 3-D presentation, those tickets typically costing a few dollars more than admissions for the 2-D version.

Finishing at No. 2 for the weekend was Robert Downey Jr.'s crime caper "Sherlock Holmes" with $38.4 million. The Warner Bros. film lifted its domestic total to $140.7 million after 10 days in theaters.

In third place was 20th Century Fox's family tale "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" with $36.6 million. It raised its 10-day total to $157.3 million.

The top-three movies, along with solid holdovers that included Universal's "It's Complicated" at No. 4 with $18.7 million, steered Hollywood to a big start to 2010 after a year of record revenue.

Hollywood finished 2009 with $10.6 billion domestically, easily surpassing the previous record of $9.7 billion in 2007, according to Hollywood.com.

Factoring in today's higher admission prices, the year was strong but not a modern record-breaker for number of tickets sold. According to Hollywood.com, domestic admissions came in at 1.42 billion in 2009, the most in the last five years, though well below the modern record of 1.6 billion in 2002.

In Hollywood's glory years of the 1930s and '40s, before television eroded the movie audience, estimated movie attendance ran as high as 4 billion some years.

Studios began 2010 with a headstart over last year. Overall revenues came in at $230 million, up 50 percent from New Year's weekend in 2009, when "Marley & Me" was No. 1 with $24.3 million.

Like "Titanic" 12 years ago, "Avatar" has fairly clear sailing now that the holidays are over. Hollywood is entering a slow season, when fewer big movies arrive and competition is lighter.

"Titanic" lingered as the No. 1 film for months leading up to the Academy Awards, where it won 11 Oscars, including best picture and director.

"Avatar" also proved a critical favorite with strong Oscar potential. Cameron broke new ground in combining live-action, digitally-enhanced performances, visual effects and 3-D presentation to immerse viewers in his futuristic tale of humans and aliens on a distant moon.

"Leave it to James Cameron to do this. To not only set the technical world on fire, the visual world on fire, but also the box-office world on fire 12 years after `Titanic,'" said Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com.

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

1. "Avatar," $68.3 million.
2. "Sherlock Holmes," $38.4 million.
3. "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," $36.6 million.
4. "It's Complicated," $18.7 million.
5. "The Blind Side," $12.7 million.
6. "Up in the Air," $11.4 million.
7. "The Princess and the Frog," $10 million.
8. "Did You Hear About the Morgans?", $5.2 million.
9. "Nine," $4.3 million.
10. "Invictus," $4.1 million.

Group wants to boot The Who from Super Bowl

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. - A South Florida child abuse prevention group wants the NFL to reconsider booking The Who for the Super Bowl halftime show.

Child AbuseWatch.net objects to Pete Townshend performing because of his 2003 arrest by British police on suspicion of possessing child pornography. He was eventually cleared but placed on a sex offenders registry for five years as part of a formal police caution for accessing a website containing images of child abuse.

The Pompano Beach group's founder and CEO Evin Daly told the South Florida Sun Sentinel newspaper that their concerns are focused on Townshend.

"I'm a fan of the band, I grew up with The Who. Pete Townshend is the only issue, and the issue is that he's a former registered sex offender," Daly said. "The issue is, it sends the wrong message to American families."

He did not return phone or e-mail messages on Friday.

In a Dec. 17 letter to Daly, Joe Browne, the NFL's executive vice-president of communications and public affairs, said the league was aware of Townshend's arrest. He also noted Townshend's charity work.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told The Associated Press on Friday that Townshend and The Who will perform in the Feb. 7 halftime show at LandShark Stadium in Miami.

"U.K. police cleared him since he was doing research for a project on child abuse," McCarthy said.

Messages left on Friday for The Who's U.S. record label, Universal, and the band's publicist were not immediately returned.

Disney Completes Marvel Deal, Makes New One With Stan Lee

On the last day of 2009, Disney confirmed that it had completed its $4.24-billion acquisition of Marvel Entertainment as Marvel shareholders voted to approve the deal. The studio added frosting to its New Year's celebration cake by announcing that it had also acquired a 10-percent stake in Pow! Entertainment for $2.5 million. Pow! is headed by former Marvel president Stan Lee, who created or co-created many of Marvel's iconic superheroes, including Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Iron Man, and the Hulk. Disney, which already had a first-look deal with Pow!, acknowledged that it wanted to extend the relationship in order to take advantage of Lee's "knowledge and familiarity of the Marvel universe." The deal was announced on Thursday, three days after Lee's 87th birthday.

Shania to carry Olympic Torch

TIMMINS, Ont. - It will be a Party for Two on Friday as Canadian country music sensation Shania Twain carries the Olympic Torch through her hometown of Timmins, Ont.

It's expected that Twain will carry the torch during a two-hour celebration in Timmins. The Torch was dogged by protests last month as it made its way through Southern Ontario. But Olympic officials say there are no signs of any demonstrations planned for Timmins on Friday and they don't intend to boost security when the country music star carries the flame.

They say security officials "don't want to take away" the uniqueness of the torch run - both for Twain's fans and the singer herself - by having undue levels of security.

But they say security can be increased at a moment's notice if there is a sign of trouble.