And from beyond the grave, Thomas Jefferson gives a fist pump. In a fairly surprising-but-not bit of news, CBS and Warner Bros. Television announced that production on Two and a Half Men has been stopped for the remainder of the season because of Charlie Sheen's "statement, conduct and condition." Any bets on what random radio show Sheen will call up next to blast this latest development? I'll take The Thom Hartmann Show. Developing... [TVLine]
· Ah, great ol' Oscar speeches -- my lifeblood. In continuation of our "Oscar Podium Classics" posts this week, I bring you this clip from 2001, in which Russell Crowe wins a statue for Gladiator and reflects on the childhood dreams that led him to success. It's sentimental, but not cloying. Perfect. [YouTube]
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Faye Dunaway may compete on Dancing with the Stars. Did you hear me? This is not one of your absinthe dreams. This is a real rumor, and we're all human beings, and we deserve this. The frosty Oscar winner may be a part of next season, where she'll inevitably be paired with Corky Ballas and a barbershop hat. Let's get Movieline-y and figure out which of her famous film scenes should be reenacted under an outsize mirror ball.
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James Franco is officially the Eyewitness News van of people. (There's that news van again!) He's an omnipresent force, seemingly capable of appearing in multiple places at once, with multiple projects on his plate. The Oscar co-host is starring in November's Planet of the Apes reboot Rise of the Apes, and while much of that film has been kept under wraps to this point, it seems like only a matter of time before Franco is tweeting bits of viral marketing to his fans in between classes and art projects. For now though, let's enjoy this unfortunately ape-free first look at Franco in Apes. Click ahead for the brow furrowing.
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Michelle Rodriguez can do tough in her sleep, as evidenced in the upcoming alien war pic Battle: Los Angeles and, well, every other role she's ever done. But after building a career out of being Hollywood's go-to action chick, M. Rod's ready for a change of pace. She's penning a script, looking toward comedy, and embracing her inner geek... by taking us back to the good old days, when she used to hang out in basements playing Dungeons & Dragons while rolling on 'ludes.
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Why deny your addiction problems through a publicist when you can call into a conservative talk show and deny them yourself? That's the case Charlie Sheen made this afternoon when he dialed into The Alex Jones Show to talk about the "troll hell" that is Alcoholics Anonymous, his resentment towards Two and a Half Men producers and the reason why he is committing to drug use and violence. Click through for the best (worst?) quotes.
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Here's how we know things have gotten, let's say, out of hand for Nicolas Cage: No one even bothers to even ask any longer, "What the hell happened to Nicolas Cage?" when one of his new films opens. It's expected! Face it: Nic Cage is going to make movies only worth seeing because Nic Cage has become the equivalent of an alien on display that uses its own feces as an interstellar communication device. Sure, it makes you queasy, but at the same time, it's downright fascinating. Enter this weekend's Drive Angry. How did this happen to the former Oscar winner?! Let's take a look at eight milestones -- not necessarily his best roles (they do exist!), mind you -- that evolved Nicolas Kim Coppola into what he is today.
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· Filmmaker Patrick Boivin -- the man behind "Iron Baby" -- is back with another Iron Man bit of viral madness: "Black Widow Gone Wild" features a Scarlett Johansson Iron Man 2 action figure going off on other dolls ranging from Whiplash to Michael Jackson. It's awesome. Click ahead to watch, then stick around for more Buzz Break.
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Release the crappy? In an interview with Cinematical, director Jonathan Liebesman said that his Clash of the Titans sequel (titled Wrath of the Titans) would be given the post-conversion 3-D treatment, much like the derided first film. The difference? "I think what you have to remember is the first film was neither shot nor edited with 3D in mind," said Liebesman. "[T]hey decided to convert it with six or seven weeks to go until release, which is insane; the technology was not there. That's why we're conceiving it from the start, from the ground up, in 3D, editing in 3D for 3D." Sounds like a plan. My designer 3-D glasses are already on order. [Cinematical]
Also in this Thursday edition of The Broadsheet: Tom Hanks will kick-off Oscar night... two early '90s neo-classics will get the remake treatment... Kristin Davis isn't interested in seeing a Sex and the City prequel... and more ahead.
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Everybody has their own fantasy version of the Academy Awards. Often it involves awards going to the most deserving films instead of the ones with the right combination of hype, box-office, broad appeal, social and emotional "importance" and so on. But personally, I'm just always hoping for the best acceptance speeches; the ones that pull the heart strings, cause waves of controversy or just inject the often self-important proceedings with a much-needed a shot of life. So, all forgone conclusions aside, let's take a look at which nominees should win based solely on their potential acceptance speeches.
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Sure, there are a number of complaints flying around about 3-D movies; the muddy image quality, the exorbitant surcharge and the fact that the technology doesn't actually add anything to most movies, just to name a few. But hey, maybe all of the naysayers are just whining because they look like nerds at the movies! Well, several companies are here to put an end to that with designer, reusable 3-D glasses that will at least make you cool while you're squinting your eyes to make out what's happening in the dim image on screen. Check out the new styles!
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· F. Murray Abraham won his Oscar for Amadeus in 1984, but his presenter speech for 1985's Best Actress, Geraldine Page, is the real historic milestone. Look how he beams when he gets to read Page's name. Dignity! The Oscars miss it so! [YouTube]
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Did you ever imagine what it would be like to hear Rupert Murdoch scream at Steve Jobs on the telephone? If Murdoch gets made, you'll get your chance! Forbes got a hold of Jesse Armstrong's Black Listed script about the News Corp mogul, and in addition to that scene -- plus one of Murdoch dyeing his own hair in the bathroom sink -- there is plenty of Shakespearean drama for some intrepid filmmaker to sink his or her teeth into. Of course, no one is actually planning to produce Murdoch, presumably because they don't want to feel the wrath of its subject. Perhaps the Steve Jobs scene is a little too convincing? [Forbes/Mixed Media]
If you're one of the many swell Movieline readers based in or around New York City, you've surely already marked down Feb. 27 as the night you're joining us and the gang at 92YTribeca for our annual Oscar Viewing Party. But just in case you haven't, I bring you news that will no doubt sweeten the deal. (Hint: Drinks!)
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