Smiths Snubbed Again by Rock HOF, and 6 Other Stories You'll Be Talking About Today

Also in today's edition of The Broadsheet: More awards craziness, featuring Colin Farrell and a mad Italian... Nicolas Cage's next genre thriller appears set... John Gotti Jr. wants a biopic... Michael Moore puts his money where his mouth is... and more...

· Arguably the most influential rock band of the '80s (only REM comes close, right? Well, the Pixies. Still...), the Smiths have once again been snubbed by the hoary, hard-of-hearing bloc that makes up the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction committee. Chosen instead: Tom Waits, Darlene Love, Neil Diamond, and Alice Cooper. Do the voters not realize this is our only chance at a reunion? And even then it probably won't happen, but hey. It's important, fogeys. Just do it, already. This really isn't up for debate. [PopEater]

· What's that you say? Oh, you want movie news? Be careful what you wish for: Nicolas Cage has reportedly climbed aboard the thriller Medallion, a Taken ripoff about a former master thief who has but a few hours to find his kidnapped daughter trapped in the trunk of a NYC taxi. Cage would enjoy sloppy thirds behind the formerly attached Clive Owen and Jason Statham, but who's counting? [THR]

· Nick Cassavetes is in talks to direct a biopic about the Gotti crime family, specifically focusing on the relationship between John Gotti Jr. and his kingpin father. The story contains this note: "[Gotti Jr.] asserts he's turned his life around and believes that a feature film is a good means to move beyond his past." Exactly! I mean, look how it worked out for Mark Zuckerberg. [Variety]

· "[Italy] didn't pick the film for the Oscars. I don't think the movie is the kind that sells in Italy now, which is basically dramedies about men that are not able to grow up. Vitteloni syndrome without Fellini. This Globe nomination is a sort of really strong warning for the Italian culture. Beware! When you don't support what's good ... then the image of your country goes down and down and down. They chose another movie, instead of one that was internationally well received, particularly in the U.S. But it's all right. Right now the moment is cheer, and I'm very cheerful. It's a great day!" I Am Love director Luca Guadagnino will get the hang of this award-nomination reaction thing eventually. [THR]

· It's not really awards season until Colin Farrell wins something. Which is to say: It's now really awards season. Thanks, crazy-ass San Diego Critics Society! [The Wrap]

· Believing Julian Assange railroaded by an international shadow government conspiracy spearheaded by the US (or something), Michael Moore has donated $20,000 to the beleaguered WikiLeaks founder's bail fund. [The Telegraph]

· What's shakin' in North Korea? Oh, not much, just reading a few diplomatic cables about its attempt to persuade the US to arrange an Eric Clapton concert in Pyongyang: "As Kim Jong-il's second son, Kim Jong-chol, is reported to be a great fan, the performance could be an opportunity to build good will." Guess that'll have to be an acoustic show. [The Guardian via Atlantic Wire]