Category: Lists

AFI again rates ‘Kane’ as top movie
LOS ANGELES – The years have been kind to “Citizen Kane,” including the last decade. The 1941 Orson Welles classic ó the story of a wealthy young idealist transformed by scandal and vice into a regretful old recluse ó was again rated the best movie ever Wednesday by the American Film Institute.
In the CBS special “AFI’s 100 Years … 100 Movies ó 10th Anniversary Edition,” “Citizen Kane” held the same No. 1 billing it earned in the institute’s first top-100 ranking in 1998.
There were notable changes elsewhere, though, with Martin Scorsese’s 1980 masterpiece “Raging Bull” bounding upward from No. 24 in 1998 to No. 4 on the new list and Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 thriller “Vertigo” hurtling from No. 61 to No. 9 this time.
Charles Chaplin’s 1931 silent gem “City Lights” jumped from No. 76 to No. 11, while the 1956 John Ford-John Wayne Western “The Searchers” took the biggest leap, from No. 96 all the way to No. 12.
“The ones that made the huge jumps are really, really fascinating,” said Jean Picker Firstenberg, chief executive at AFI, which has done top-10 lists every year since 1998 showcasing best comedies, thrillers, love stories and other highlights in American cinema.
“I’d like to think this entire series has had a real influence on what people think about a film like `City Lights,’ `The Searchers,’ `Vertigo.’ Gotten them talking about these films and going back to watch them again, and if they’ve never seen them, to go watch them for the first time.”
Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 epic “The Godfather” ranked No. 2, up one notch from 1998, switching places with Michael Curtiz’s 1942 favorite “Casablanca,” which dipped from second-place to third.
Both 1967’s “The Graduate” and 1954’s “On the Waterfront,” which ranked Nos. 7 and 8 respectively in 1998, fell out of the top 10, “The Graduate” coming in at No. 17 and “On the Waterfront” finishing at No. 19.
The other five films in the new top 10 also were among the original 10 best, though they shuffled positions: 1952’s “Singin’ in the Rain (No. 5 now, No. 10 in 1998), 1939’s “Gone With the Wind” (No. 6 now, No. 4 in 1998), 1962’s “Lawrence of Arabia” (No. 7 now, No. 5 in 1998), 1993’s “Schindler’s List” (No. 8 now, No. 9 in 1998) and 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz” (No. 10 now, No. 6 in 1998).
The top-100 were chosen from ballots sent to 1,500 filmmakers, actors, writers, critics and others in Hollywood from a list of 400 nominated movies, 43 of which came from the decade since the first list was compiled.
Of those newer films, only four made the top-100: 2001’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (No. 50), 1998’s “Saving Private Ryan” (No. 71), 1997’s “Titanic” (No. 83) and 1999’s “The Sixth Sense” (No. 89).
Older films that did not make the cut on the 1998 list broke into the top-100 this time, led by Buster Keaton’s 1927 silent comedy “The General” at No. 18. Others included 1916’s “Intolerance” (No. 49), 1975’s “Nashville” (No. 59), 1960’s “Spartacus” (No. 81), 1989’s “Do the Right Thing” (No. 96) and 1995’s “Toy Story” (No. 99).
Some silent-era classics and other old films may have fared better this time because they are more readily available in good quality restorations in today’s DVD age as opposed to the VHS days.
Films that dropped out of the top-100 this time included 1965’s “Doctor Zhivago,” which had been No. 39 on the 1998 list; 1984’s “Amadeus,” which had been No. 53; 1977’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” which had been No. 64; 1990’s “Dances With Wolves,” which had been No. 75; and 1927’s “The Jazz Singer,” which had been No. 90.
“Close Encounters” director Steven Spielberg had the most films on the list with five, while Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick and Billy Wilder each had four. James Stewart and Robert De Niro were the most-represented actors with five films apiece.
In interviews for Wednesday’s special, filmmakers and others in Hollywood told AFI they loved the behind-the-scenes story of “Citizen Kane” as much as the film itself, said Bob Gazzale, who produced the AFI show.
It was the first movie by Welles, who bucked studio and storytelling conventions to craft a landmark film about the rise and fall of a William Randolph Hearst-like newspaper publisher.
The film was ahead of its time, a dark tale whose brooding design, murky lighting, overlapping dialogue and ripped-from-true-life Hearst connection created an unnerving sense of realism.
“No one disputes it’s a great American film, but what you hear from the great artists of our day is the love they have for this ideal of a young maverick making a movie like this, that a 25-year-old Orson Welles changed the fabric of cinema, and that that ideal still holds today of this jewel everybody reaches for,” Gazzale said.
“It’s not only the movie, but the embodiment of the man who broke all the rules to tell his story.”
While AFI officials have not decided if they will continue the annual lists in coming years, Firstenberg said the institute will do a new list of all-time best American films every 10 years as a guide to changing tastes in future decades.
“With this new list, it became clearer the value of this program was to have five lists to chart rather than one 50-year-old list,” Gazzale said. “It’s not only celebrating the films again and driving people to see them again, but we get to see what’s gone up, what’s gone down.”

AFI Overhauls Top 100 for CBS
When the American Film Institute last ranked its top films, “Citizen Kane,” “Casablanca” and “The Godfather” topped the list. But that was a decade ago, before “Napoleon Dynamite,” “White Chicks” and several key films starring Rob Schneider. With that in mind, the AFI is ready to issue a new Top 100, in a badly named CBS special titled “AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Movies — 10th Anniversary Edition.”
The CBS telecast will air in June after a panel of 1500 members of the Hollywood community (including filmmakers, actors and critics/historians) make their picks from the ballot of 400 nominated movies.
In order to update the list, the AFI has added 44 films from the past decade to the list of potential honorees. That group of 44 includes best picture Oscar winners like “Titanic,” “American Beauty” and “Crash,” as well as marginally quirkier entries like “Rushmore,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Good Night, and Good Luck.” All three “Lord of the Rings” films, “Shrek,” “Spider-Man 2” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” are also possibilities, if the panel likes blockbusters.
This won’t just be a one-time refresh for the AFI list. The group hopes to add and subtract films every 10 years “to mark changing cultural perspectives.”
“AFI has created the most comprehensibe and credible examination of excellence in American film with the ‘AFI’s 100 Years…’ series,” says AFI President and CEO Jean Picker Firstenberg. “And, whether you agree with these lists or not, they have a sparked a 10-year conversation on what makes a great movie and why. We are excited to ignite this conversation once again, this year and every 10 to come. Let the debate begin!”

‘Wonderful Life’ tops inspiring film list
LOS ANGELES – George Bailey’s brother proclaimed him the richest man in Bedford Falls. Now the story of the despondent businessman, who got a chance to see how ugly the world would be without him, has been proclaimed the most inspiring American movie.
Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life,” starring James Stewart as the disillusioned George, led the American Film Institute’s list of inspirational films revealed Wednesday in the group’s annual top-100 TV special that aired on CBS.
“We all connect to that story. We may not all connect to the story of a fighter from Philadelphia or a singing family in the Austrian Alps,” said the TV special’s producer, Bob Gazzale, referring to two other films on the list, “Rocky” and “The Sound of Music.”
“But there’s no way to get away from the inspiring story of George Bailey. It relates to us all.”
“To Kill a Mockingbird,” with Gregory Peck as the upright Southern dad seeking justice for a wrongly accused black man, was No. 2 on the list chosen from 300 nominated films on ballots sent to 1,500 filmmakers, actors, critics and others in Hollywood.
Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List,” starring Liam Neeson as a German businessman who saves his Jewish workers from extermination by the Nazis, was No. 3.
Sylvester Stallone’s “Rocky” was fourth, while another Capra-Stewart collaboration, the political saga “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” ranked fifth.
Spielberg landed two other films in the top 10, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (No. 6) and “Saving Private Ryan” (No. 10). Rounding out the top 10: “The Grapes of Wrath” (No. 7), “Breaking Away” (No. 8) and “Miracle on 34th Street” (No. 9).
The 1946 classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” is the story of a man who dreamed of escaping his dreary town and making a mark in the world. Circumstance traps George Bailey in tiny Bedford Falls, where he runs his family’s penny-ante building and loan and battles the town’s miserly overlord.
One Christmas Eve, facing scandal and criminal charges after his uncle misplaces $8,000, George is driven to attempt suicide, but an angel steps in to show him all the good he’s done and what a harsher place the world would be without him.
As family and friends rally to his rescue, George learns to embrace the life he thought he loathed and receives a heartfelt toast from his sibling: “To my big brother George ó the richest man in town.”
With five films, Spielberg led directors in the top 100. Spielberg’s others were “The Color Purple” (No. 51) and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (No. 58). Capra was next with four films, his others being “Meet John Doe” (No. 49) and “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” (No. 83).
Sidney Poitier and Gary Cooper each appeared in five films. Poitier had “In the Heat of the Night” (No. 21), “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (No. 35), “Lilies of the Field” (No. 46), “The Defiant Ones” (No. 55) and “A Raisin in the Sun” (No. 65). Cooper was in Capra’s “Meet John Doe” and “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town,” plus “The Pride of the Yankees” (No. 22), “High Noon” (No. 27) and “Sergeant York” (No. 57).
The films ranged widely, including sports tales (“Hoosiers” at No. 13 and “Field of Dreams” at No. 28), real-life drama (“Apollo 13” at No. 12 and “What’s Love Got to Do With It” at No. 85), musicals (“The Wizard of Oz” at No. 26 and “Fiddler on the Roof” at No. 82), science fiction (“Star Wars” at No. 39 and “2001: A Space Odyssey” at No. 47) and family films (“Pinocchio” at No. 38 and “Babe” at No. 80).
The oldest movie was Charles Chaplin’s 1931 silent film “City Lights” (No. 33). The newest were two from 2004, “Hotel Rwanda” (No. 90) and “Ray” (No. 99).
Past AFI lists have included best comedies, movie quotes, songs and love stories.
With the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the war in Iraq and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the group wanted to examine films that offer hope.
“This was kind of an interesting moment in American history, coming off Sept. 11, being at war, having natural disasters of such tremendous impact. What role do the movies play at times of really emotional turmoil?” said Jean Picker Firstenberg, AFI director. “I think the movies are fundamentally a very inspirational way we communicate, and we thought this was an exciting opportunity to recognize those films.”

‘Wonderful Life’ tops AFI inspiring list
LOS ANGELES – The American Film Institute’s list of the 100 most-inspiring movies, with film title and year of release:
1. “It’s a Wonderful Life,” 1946
2. “To Kill a Mockingbird,” 1962
3. “Schindler’s List,” 1993
4. “Rocky,” 1976
5. “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” 1939
6. “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” 1982
7. “The Grapes of Wrath,” 1940
8. “Breaking Away,” 1979
9. “Miracle on 34th Street,” 1947
10. “Saving Private Ryan,” 1998
11. “The Best Years of Our Lives,” 1946
12. “Apollo 13,” 1995
13. “Hoosiers,” 1986
14. “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” 1957
15. “The Miracle Worker,” 1962
16. “Norma Rae,” 1979
17. “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” 1975
18. “The Diary of Anne Frank,” 1959
19. “The Right Stuff,” 1983
20. “Philadelphia,” 1993
21. “In the Heat of the Night,” 1967
22. “The Pride of the Yankees,” 1942
23. “The Shawshank Redemption,” 1994
24. “National Velvet,” 1944
25. “Sullivan’s Travels,” 1941
26. “The Wizard of Oz,” 1939
27. “High Noon,” 1952
28. “Field of Dreams,” 1989
29. “Gandhi,” 1982
30. “Lawrence of Arabia,” 1962
31. “Glory,” 1989
32. “Casablanca,” 1942
33. “City Lights,” 1931
34. “All the President’s Men,” 1976
35. “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” 1967
36. “On the Waterfront,” 1954
37. “Forrest Gump,” 1994
38. “Pinocchio,” 1940
39. “Star Wars,” 1977
40. “Mrs. Miniver,” 1942
41. “The Sound of Music,” 1965
42. “12 Angry Men,” 1957
43. “Gone With the Wind,” 1939
44. “Spartacus,” 1960
45. “On Golden Pond,” 1981
46. “Lilies of the Field,” 1963
47. “2001: a Space Odyssey,” 1968
48. “The African Queen,” 1951
49. “Meet John Doe,” 1941
50. “Seabiscuit,” 2003
51. “The Color Purple,” 1985
52. “Dead Poet’s Society,” 1989
53. “Shane,” 1953
54. “Rudy,” 1993
55. “The Defiant Ones,” 1958
56. “Ben-Hur,” 1959
57. “Sergeant York,” 1941
58. “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” 1977
59. “Dances With Wolves,” 1990
60. “The Killing Fields,” 1984
61. “Sounder,” 1972
62. “Braveheart,” 1995
63. “Rain Man,” 1988
64. “The Black Stallion,” 1979
65. “A Raisin in the Sun,” 1961
66. “Silkwood,” 1983
67. “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” 1951
68. “An Officer and a Gentleman,” 1982
69. “The Spirit of St. Louis,” 1957
70. “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” 1980
71. “Cool Hand Luke,” 1967
72. “Dark Victory,” 1939
73. “Erin Brockovich,” 2000
74. “Gunga Din,” 1939
75. “The Verdict,” 1982
76. “Birdman of Alcatraz,” 1962
77. “Driving Miss Daisy,” 1989
78. “Thelma & Louise,” 1991
79. “The Ten Commandments,” 1956
80. “Babe,” 1995
81. “Boys Town,” 1938
82. “Fiddler on the Roof,” 1971
83. “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town,” 1936
84. “Serpico,” 1973
85. “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” 1993
86. “Stand and Deliver,” 1988
87. “Working Girl,” 1988
88. “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” 1942
89. “Harold and Maude,” 1972
90. “Hotel Rwanda,” 2004
91. “The Paper Chase,” 1973
92. “Fame,” 1980
93. “A Beautiful Mind,” 2001
94. “Captains Courageous,” 1937
95. “Places in the Heart,” 1984
96. “Searching for Bobby Fischer,” 1993
97. “Madame Curie,” 1943
98. “The Karate Kid,” 1984
99. “Ray,” 2004
100. “Chariots of Fire,” 1981

Gottfried Tops List of Unsexiest Men
BOSTON – The voice of the AFLAC duck has been named the Unsexiest Man in the World.
Comedian Gilbert Gottfried tops the list compiled by the Boston Phoenix’s website. The list is a mix of entertainers, sports stars, even terrorists. Osama bin Laden is number eight on the list.
Others on the unsexy list include Michael Jackson, Jerry Seinfeld, Ron Howard, Clay Aiken and Britney Spears’ husband Kevin Federline. He ranks 99th.
Sneaking in at No. 100 is Brad Pitt. He made the list because of rumors about bad hygiene.

Jessica Alba picked as best girlfriend material by AskMen.com
NEW YORK (AP) – More guys want Jessica Alba for their girlfriend than any other woman, according to AskMen.com’s top 99 list for 2006.
The 24-year-old actress tops the website’s list ranking female celebrities on their “long-term relationship material.” Alba is followed by Alfie star Sienna Miller and the ubiquitous Angelina Jolie.
The list will be posted Tuesday.
James Bassil, editor-in-chief of AskMen.com, told The Associated Press the list was determined by the rankings of 2.5 million readers and by the site’s staff.
Readers of the online magazine were asked to vote according to the woman they would most want a relationship with, would consider marrying or thought best-suited to be the mother of their children.
Of course, few have ever accused Alba, Miller or Jolie of being short on movie star glamour.
“We encouraged readers not to go on looks alone,” Bassil said. “I don’t believe it’s an entirely accurate reflection of what a reader strives for in their long-term relationships, but at the same time, it’s not a sheerly surface appreciation.”
The rest of the top 10, in order, is Brazilian model Adriana Lima (No. 1 last year), Access Hollywood correspondent Maria Menounos, Charlize Theron, Jessica Biel, singer Amerie, Natalie Portman and Eva Longoria.
Britney Spears – a mainstay of such lists in previous years – failed to chart.

Britney Spears Tops ‘Worst Dressed’ List
LOS ANGELES – Britney Spears topped Mr. Blackwell’s 46th annual “Worst Dressed” list for wearing clothes that he said made her look like an “over-the-hill Lolita.”
“When it comes to Couture Chaos, this Tacky Terror should take a bow √≥ looks like an over-the-hill Lolita,” Mr. Blackwell said in a statement released Tuesday.
Bohemian teen tycoon Mary-Kate Olsen was the next target of the acid-tongued fashion critic. He called her clothes “bag lady rags” and “depressingly decayed.”
Jessica Simpson followed Olsen. Though her Daisy Dukes shorts landed her on the pages of numerous magazines, Mr. Blackwell said she “resembles a cut-rate Rapunzel √≥ slingin’ hash in a Vegas diner.”
The other offenders on Blackwell’s list of fashion flops were Eva Longoria, Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Shakira, Anna Nicole Smith and Renee Zellweger.
Blackwell said Hilton √≥ who topped his list two years ago √≥ “still looks like yesterday’s cheesecake … with a side of kitsch.”
Lohan is “drowning in grown-up groaners,” he said, while Zellweger looks like “a painted pumpkin on a pogo stick.”
“2005 turned out to be a particularly bad year for couture chaos, wardrobe wrecks and stylistic sleaze,” Blackwell said. “These woman may be fabulously talented in their respective fields, but when it comes to fashion, they resemble weary weeds in a lovely garden.”

2005: The 10 Biggest Tabloid Stories of the Year
Hell hath no well-crafted PR campaign like a woman scorned Jilted former Friends star Jennifer Aniston kept a dignified silence at the beginning of the year, letting the love triangle clichÈs do the talking for her. Her ex, Brad Pitt, came off as a heartless cad who left her for a younger woman who would have his babies. As the other woman, Angelina Jolieís bisexual, brother-kissing and blood-fetishizing past made her the kind of villainess that no amount of United Nations do-gooding could redeem. When Aniston finally went public in a Vanity Fair cover story, it was essentially a deification of the star. She ended 2005, topless, on the cover of GQ, as the magazineís first female Man of the Year. But even the best spin canít overcome everything: Derailed did just that and Rumour Has It that her latest film really sucks, too.
ìI love this woman!î
Letís reminisce: Approximately 10 minutes after meeting Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise leapt on Oprahís couch, declaring his love for the former Dawsonís Creek star, who is 16 years his junior. Holmes subsequently dumped her friends, began her conversion to the Church of Scientology and sprouted strange facial sores. Cruise then appeared on the Today show and tore into Endless Love co-star Brooke Shields for taking drugs for her post-partum depression. Then, eight weeks into his relationship with Holmes, he proposed on the top of the Eiffel Tower, announcing it at a conveniently assembled press conference just moments later. Within weeks, Holmes was pregnant and Cruise bought her a sonogram machine (er, flowers would have been nice, too). Then, in November, he fired his sister, Lee Anne DeVette, who had been working as his publicist. Even the most ga-ga entertainment media couldnít keep up with Cruiseís aggressively manic antics, and normally off-limits questions about his ties to Scientology and rumours about his sexuality began to emerge, souring the public on the formerly bankable star. Dude, when celebrity-molesting US Weekly doubts the authenticity of your relationship, youíre really screwed.
Skinnier is the new skinny
The incredible shrinking figures of Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan and Mary-Kate Olsen had the entertainment media raising concerns about eating disorders ó and, yes, that would be the same entertainment media that once congratulated RenÈe Zellweger for being ìcourageousî enough to gain 30 pounds in order to wear a size 10 in Bridget Jonesís Diary. After making a comeback of sorts in the so-so TV series Fat Actress (which skewered Hollywood for its obsession with womenís weight), Kirstie Alley became a spokesperson for Jenny Craig and lost 50 pounds. And just 10 weeks after giving birth, model Heidi Klum strutted the Victoriaís Secret catwalk. In a thong. Her secret? She just ìnaturallyî lost a pound a week.
Finding Neverland
Itís hard to decide whoís stranger. Is it Michael Jackson, who showed up to his child molestation trial in pyjamas and admitted in his own defense that he had sleepovers with young children, then moved to Bahrain, where he caused a scene in a Dubai shopping mall by entering a womanís washroom? Or is it the fan who released a crateful of white doves when Jackson was acquitted?
Kate Moss. Photo Evan Agostini/Getty Images.
Kate Moss. Photo Evan Agostini/Getty Images.
Scandal Alert: Sex, drugs andÖ spiritual quests?
Despite the open secret of widespread drug use (how else could the models remain so licorice-stick thin?), the fashion industry demonstrated its haute hypocrisy when Kate Moss lost several contracts ó H&M and Burberry among them ó after being featured on the cover of a British tabloid snorting coke. Post-treatment, Mossís real rehab has already begun: sheís been featured on the cover of Vanity Fair and stars in a new commercial for Virgin cell phones that is a sly send-up of her fall from grace. Jude Law has almost completed his own public opinion probation. After being caught by one of his kids getting busy with the nanny, Law was dumped by his fiancÈe, Alfie co-star Sienna Miller. The pair have since reportedly reconciled. Finally, just before he was to start shooting the third season of his hit sketch show (a deal worth $50 million US), comedian Dave Chappelle went AWOL. He later surfaced in South Africa, where he said he was on a spiritual retreat.
Whatís in a name?
Oh, Ben Affleck and J.Lo, what have you wrought? At first, the Bennifer thing was kind of clever, but now, after TomKat, Brangelina and Vaughniston, the whole cutesy name meld is just annoying. (Granted, the dubbing of the Lindsay Lohan-Jared Leto relationship as ìJordan Catalohan,î after Letoís My So-Called Life heartthrob character, is pretty inspired.) Can there also be a moratorium on weirdo celebrity baby names in 2006? Nicolas Cage (father of Kal-el) and Penn Jillette (father of Moxie Crimefighter), that means you.
Flirting with disaster
The year began with the world stunned by the aftermath of the tsunami and ended with it reeling from another year of tragedy that included the London terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Kashmir. Celebrities stepped up by getting political, in big-scale charity events, like Bono and Bob Geldofís series of Live 8 concerts to raise awareness about poverty. Oprah Winfrey gave $10 million of her own money to hurricane relief efforts and put FEMA to shame by getting water, food and other supplies to survivors often faster than the federal agency. An increasingly earnest Sean Penn filed news reports from the Middle East and New Orleans. And CNN newsman Anderson Cooper broke the code of journalistic objectivity with his emotional and often critical reporting of the U.S. administrationís handling of Hurricane Katrina. But it was Kanye West who really summed up the unprecedentedly political year of celebrity with a little ad-libbing during a televised Hurricane Katrina benefit (see Celebrity Quotes of the Year below).
They said it wouldnít last and, well, it didnít
Couples who called it quits in 2005 included: Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt, Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and DJ AM, Paris Hilton and Paris Latsis, ReneÈ Zellweger and Kenny Chesney.
When life gives you lemons, make lemon-zest and herb-encrusted trout
How many people can get out of jail and immediately star in two television shows, land a book contract, turn a handmade, prison-crocheted poncho into an instant fashion classic and become even more popular as an ex-con than they were before? Say what you will about Martha Stewartís ambition, perfectionism and drive (and if you were being completely honest, you know if she were a man all those qualities would be seen as ìgood thingsî), but no scandal-plagued celebrity has ever had such a comeback. Sure, her version of The Apprentice tanked, but the domestic goddess is bound to have many more tricks up her perfectly ironed sleeve. As she recently explained to Fortune magazine, ìI cannot be destroyed.î
Canada is in the hizz-ouse. Show it some love!
Canadian exports like Nickelback, Arcade Fire, Lostís Evangeline Lilly, Arrested Developmentís Will Arnett and The Family Stoneís Rachel McAdams made a splash in the U.S. this year. And fellow Canadian J.D. Fortune, a former Elvis impersonator, turned out to be a pretty good Michael Hutchence impersonator as well. He beat out 14 other competitors to front Australian band INXS on the reality show Rock Star: INXS. At the Canadian Live 8 concert, geezer rockers like Gordon Lightfoot and Neil Young stole the show. And to keep you up-to-date on all these Canuck celebrities, the country now boasts four daily entertainment shows ó Globalís ET Canada, CHUMís Star! Daily, Sun TVís Inside Jam and CTVís eTalk Daily ó which to many people feels like four too many.
CELEBRITY QUOTES OF THE YEAR
ìThereís a sensitivity chip thatís missing.î
Jennifer Aniston on ex-husband Brad Pitt posing with Angelina Jolie as a married couple for W magazine
√¨Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt, you don√≠t even√≥you√≠re glib. You don√≠t even know what Ritalin is… You don√≠t know the history of psychiatry. I do.√Æ
Tom Cruise to Today host Matt Lauer
ìThe two of us were on fire every time we sat down [to write music].î
Paul McCartney on John Lennon
ìI think my work ó the activism ó will be forgotten. And I hope it will. Because I hope those problems will have gone away.î
Bono, Time magazineís Man of the Year (along with Bill and Melinda Gates), on his political activism
“If you can’t get a star, wait, you want Tom Cruise and all you get is Jude Law, wait, it’s not the same thing. Who is Jude Law? Why is he in every movie I have seen in the last four years? Even if he’s not acting in it, if you look at the credits he makes the cupcakes or something.”
Oscar host Chris Rock
“Forgive my lack of humour. Jude Law is one of our finest actors.”
Oscar presenter Sean Penn defends his fellow thespianís honour
ìThe time has finally come to share our wonderful news that we are expecting our first child together.î
Proud parents-to-be Britney Spears and Kevin Federline
ìHopefully mine and Nickís story will continue for the rest of our lives, like what we vowed, through sickness and in health.î
Jessica Simpson, denying rumors of marital trouble, just weeks before she separated from Nick Lachey
√¨This is possibly the most shameful situation I’ve ever gotten myself in my life, and I’ve done some pretty dumb things in my life. So to actually make a new number one is spectacularly stupid.√Æ
Russell Crowe apologizes for going Cinderella Man on a hotel concierge
ìThis frozen embryo that is in New York is my child waiting to be brought to life.î
Celine Dion on her desire to expand her family
ìYouíre just not right for our band, INXS.î
Band member Tim Farriss on Rock Star: INXS
ìI do.î
Prince Charles to Camilla Parker Bowles
ìGeorge Bush doesnít care about black people.î
Kanye West, at a televised benefit show for Katrina victims

Julia Roberts Still Hollywood’s Top Woman
Julia Roberts is still Tinseltown’s leading Pretty Woman, according to trade magazine The Hollywood Reporter’s annual 10 Most Powerful Women list. The actress has sheltered from the limelight following the birth of her twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, but remains the only actress who can command a $20 million salary.
The poll marks Roberts’ fourth year in first place, but she has Nicole Kidman snapping at her heels and Reese Witherspoon in third place. With Halle Berry slipping off the list, Jennifer Aniston comes in at number 10.
The list, based on movie earnings, awards and visibility, is: 1. Julia Roberts, 2. Nicole Kidman, 3. Reese Witherspoon, 4. Drew Barrymore, 5. Renee Zellweger, 6. Angelina Jolie, 7. Cameron Diaz, 8. Jodie Foster, 9. Charlize Theron, 10. Jennifer Aniston.

AFI celebrates top 100 films that inspire
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – In response to the nation’s uneasy climate, the American Film Institute is looking to inject some cheer into its ninth annual celebration of American movies.
The organization said Wednesday that the theme for this year’s top 100 list will be “AFI’s 100 Years … 100 Cheers: America’s Most Inspiring Movies.”
“We’re doing this at this point in time for a very specific reason,” AFI director and CEO Jean Picker Firstenberg said. “We seem to be in troubled times — terrorism, natural disasters, war, we’re very divided politically. It seemed to us appropriate to look to the movies for inspiration. These movies are really about touching us and inspiring us.”
The 100 films, as chosen by experts from the motion picture community, will be unveiled during a three-hour primetime broadcast in June on CBS.
Previous AFI top 100 themes have included “100 Years … 100 Movies” (1998), ” … 100 Stars” (1999), ” … 100 Laughs” (2000), ” … 100 Thrills” (2001), ” … 100 Passions” (2002), ” … 100 Heroes & Villains” (2003), ” … 100 Songs” (2004) and ” … 100 Movie Quotes” (2005).